Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

Cyclops

Do you know how hard it is to get a photo of a Common Green Darner? Anax junius. Well, for one thing, they are not one of the perching dragonflies, but every once and a while they do have to take a break. At about three inches long, these are one of the largest species of dragonfly in the region. This picture was taken Saturday, a very windy day in the mid-60s, in Green-Wood, and was one of only three or four seen during an hour and half walk. The season is definitely winding down.

This is a female or, perhaps, an immature male (mature males have a blue abdomen). This species migrates down the coast this time of year.

On what we don’t know about dragonfly sex.

mthew

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5 responses to “Cyclops”

  1. Out Walking the Dog

    Very nice photo of a handsome insect. And, yes,I do know how hard it must have been to get that shot. I tried to photograph a monarch yesterday with no success. Flit flit flit. It ignored my instructions to “just settle down, already.” Having same trouble trying to photograph the rats in my area at night. Slip, whisk, dart. Animals can be so uncooperative.

    Reply
  2. mthew

    One of the secrets of insect photography is freezing them to immobility for a few minutes. Not really my style, though.

    Reply
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