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Friday, July 15, 2011

It's a Butterfly, It's a Dragonfly, It's a Widow


widow skimmer

Are your eyes focused? See the black butterfly? Uh, no... it only looks like a butterfly.

The dark bands near the body fool you into forgetting to look for the rest of the wings, but there they are- it's a beautiful perching dragonfly. But which one?

It's a Widow Skimmer. I can't help it... that's the name. It's a female, so it might be a widow if something nabbed its mate. However, there were plenty of males hanging around, I just couldn't get a picture of one. The males don't have the gold stripes on the body, but they do have chalky white spots on the wings.




See Spangled Skimmer
See Ruby Meadowhawk


15 comments:

Unknown said...

This is the first time that I have seen a picture of this dragonfly. You have done it justice for it is a perfect picture like a sculpture. Tell me are they silent fliers or do they have that wonderful enduring hum that large dragonflies have.

rainfield61 said...

You can't help it. Me too

RNSANE said...

You have outdone yourself with this picture, Joan. This is magnificent. For once, perhaps, the female is prettier than the male!

unikorna said...

Very special photo. Widow or bride to be, it is beautiful.

eileeninmd said...

What a cool looking skimmer. I've never seen one like this before. Thanks for showing this photo.

vanilla said...

I have seen dragonflies, but not this one. Excellent! Thank you.

trump said...

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adina said...

That's so cool! And so beautiful!

Interesting Pictures said...

nice capture

wenn said...

beutiful shot!

moirai said...

nice! it's pretty. =)

john bain said...

Another black widow. Why do widows get such a bad press? Beautiful creature. Great photo.

Rick (Ratty) said...

Dragonflies are some of my favorite bugs. This one is a beauty.

Sharkbytes said...

Polly- these are pretty good size, but they've been quieter than the really big ones that look like helicopters.

rainfield- i think you hunt them out more, but when they pose so nicely i can't resist

carmen- wait till you see mister. I "caught" him today, but he'll get his own post.

unikorna- thanks- always a treat when a picture actually is in good focus!

eileen- my book says they are all over US except rocky mts. so you might see them

vanilla- i'm trying to learn more of them, but i have to make them hold still with the camera to remember them

Richard- thanks for visiting, but your comment is a bit spammy

adina- they are magnificent insects!

IP- thanks- I take a bunch, and then usually a few are really in focus

wenn- sometimes i get lucky

moirai- dragonflies are like the gemstones and crystals of the insect world.

john- i wonder how they got this name- they sure aren't the only black dragonfly

ratty- they are so interesting, i agree.

Ann said...

I've never seen one like this before. It's beautiful.