The Flickr Genuspachydiplax Image Generatr

Like an exotic piece of jewelry, this Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) is perched elegantly on a leaf. Many species of dragonflies can be found perched in this manner from time-to-time, a behavior known as obelisking. In full obelisk, the abdomen often points right at the sun. This is not the case for the individual in the photo, where the dragonfly is facing the sun, probably to capture as many warming rays as possible.

Canon Rebel T1i (500D)
Canon EF 300mm 1:4 L IS USM
Canon EF 1.4x II Extender
420mm, 1/640 sec, f / 8, -1/3 EV, ISO 200
Hand-held

A 100 percent crop of an accompanying Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) photo.

“Should I use four legs or six?” A Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) rests on a springy perch. Many dragonflies, when settled on their landing, tend to hold their forelegs against their throax, and hold on to their purchase with the remaining four legs. In this photo, the two forelegs appear like dark club antennae to either side of the head.

Canon Rebel T1i (500D)
Canon EF 300mm 1:4 L IS USM
Canon EF 1.4x II Extender
420mm, 1/640 sec, f / 8, -1/3 EV, ISO 640
Hand-held

Among the many dragonflies out on a hot July afternoon, this Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) stood out in the crowd. He energetically patrolled his territory and chased just about any dragonfly that neared, especially those that sported a touch of blue. I found him at multiple points along the pond’s shore—he turned up just about everywhere. And, the little dasher did not seem to be intimidated by the larger dragons, such as the Eight-spotted Skimmers and darners. He jumped right in and challenged them all.

Note that this male has not fully matured. A fully mature specimen would have blue-green eyes. Also, the blue pruinosity visible on the abdomen can develop on the thorax, giving this fellow and even bluer look.

Canon Rebel T1i (500D)
Canon EF 300mm 1:4 L IS USM
Canon EF 1.4x II Extender
420mm, 1/500 sec, f / 8, -1/3 EV, ISO 640
Hand-held

A male Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) watches for passers-by on a springy perch. This little dragonfly, highly territorial, went after any dragon-especially those that sported blue-that happened to stray too closely. He had approximately three favorite perches, each spaced about a meter apart, probably defining the core of his territory.

Canon Rebel T1i (500D)
Canon EF 300mm 1:4 L IS USM
Canon EF 1.4x II Extender
420mm, 1/640 sec, f / 8, -1/3 EV, ISO 200
Hand-held

A female Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) found a grassy perch on a cool late-spring day. The common name seems out of place on the females, but the adult males of this dragonfly species have sky-blue pruinosity on their abdomens, some with the blue extending onto the thorax. The western corner of the northern extent of the Blue Dasher range is in extreme Southwest British Columbia, and it is great to have found a specimen in the Lower Mainland.

Canon Rebel XSi (500D)
Canon EF 100mm 1:2.8 USM Macro
1/100 sec, f / 5.6, -1/3 EV, ISO 400
Hand-held

A Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) shares a dried cattail perch with an a larger Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis). The opportunity to show the two different species side-by-side is wonderful. These two dragons, both male, compliment each other beautifully with their bright powder-blue coloration. And their size difference is noticeable.

The skimmer awaited the passage of one of several males on this warm, sunny day. With a close encounter between two, and sometimes three individuals, the skimmers took off in lovely, swooping flight, circling each other in territorial challenges, or showing off to the ladies waiting on nearby stems and leaves. The dasher enthusiastically flew into everyone else’s business. Aggressively defending its territory, the plucky little sky-blue dragonfly chased after much larger skimmers and darners with abandon. Both creatures provided much entertainment on a quiet afternoon.

Canon Rebel T1i (500D)
Canon EF 300mm 1:4 L IS USM
Canon EF 1.4x II Extender
420mm, 1/500 sec, f / 11, -1/3 EV, ISO 640
Hand-held

What a personable little fellow!

August 2, 2008 (DSC_4015)