If you know the what type of dragonfly is in the photo, please add a comment (update: a comment indicates it is not a dragonfly but a Great Spreadwing Archilestes grandis damselfly – I really enjoy getting feedback like this. It appears the most common way to differentiate the two is how the wings are at rest but the Spreadwing is an exception). I had a small preying mantis drop on my head, and then the ground, a month ago in my backyard. But when I got my digital camera I couldn’t find it again. The variety of insects you can see can be amazing, especially if you don’t use poisons and chemicals in your yard.
Photo by John Hunter, creative commons attribution license.
Related: Backyard Wildlife: Sharpshinned Hawk – Backyard Wildlife: Fox – posts on insects
Your lovely insect is actually a damselfly rather than a dragonfly. I’m sure of that. The yellow stripe on the thorax and spread wings suggests the great spreadwing, Archilestes grandis, to me, but it might be only near that.
Hope that helps.
the details on the wings are amaizing.
In French your insect is a libellule…
Pingback: Curious Cat Science Blog » Bug of the Week: Leaf-footed Bug
Pingback: Curious Cat Science and Engineering Blog » Spring Tulips
Pingback: Curious Cat Science Blog » Backyard Wildlife: Walking Leaf
I love nature and I LOVE pictures of nature!!!! I’m not sure if my comment will make it to your post but I wanted to leave a comment as I share your love for the beauty of nature.