This year, I’ve seen dozens of dragonflies in my garden. The numbers have lessened since the heat wave hit, but I’m still seeing quite a few. Because they eat insects, I sure don’t mind them around – unlike when I was a kid and hated them. That might’ve had something to do with my father telling us that they were “sewing needles” and would sew our mouths shut if we talked around them. Thankfully, I’ve outgrown that trauma. Now, I’m actually paying attention to these interesting insects and noticing that they come in different, beautiful colors.
I am definitely not an expert in dragonfly identification, but I searched through dozens of pictures on insect identification websites to try to find out what kind of dragonflies I’ve taken pictures of. (These buggers are tough to photograph!) That said, please note that these names are only my best guess. Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
Because I had a tough time getting a picture of this guy, I have no idea what kind of dragonfly it is. Anyone have a guess?
Dragonfly
This blue dragonfly is pretty. I was unsure if it was a Blue Dasher or a Blue Skimmer, but I think it looks most like a Blue Dasher based on the websites I read.
Blue Dasher dragonfly?
This one is stunning! Lavender and pink on an insect? Who would’ve thought!
Roseate Skimmer dragonfly
This past weekend, I saw a dragonfly with wings that looked diamond shaped. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the clear wings had black markings that made me think that. I tried to get a picture, but couldn’t. Sunday, I saw the dragonfly again – flying with another one that had a white body. It seems the first one I saw was the female, and the white-bodied one was the male. It’s a Common Whitetail dragonfly. So beautiful!
Common Whitetail dragonfly (male)
I never thought I’d ever be chasing dragonflies, trying to take their pictures. I’ve come a long way from those childhood days of being struck mute in their presence!
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Do you have dragonflies in your garden?
Sanctuary Gardener 