Dragonflies

Did you know there are more than 5200 different species of dragonflies?  I was surprised to learn this.  Another fact that I thought was interesting was that 50 of the species actually migrate during the winter to warmer climates!  Although, it is not the older dragonflies, but the new offspring that migrate.

They seems to follow the same flyways that the birds use.  Scientists have attached small transmitters to the dragonflies to track their migration.  It is a very tough job as the transmitters are so tiny and do not transmit too great of distances.  Scientists have followed the transmitter signals using small planes but lose the signal when they are forced to land to refuel.  Also, once the small planes get to the tip of Florida, they cannot continue on .  Because of this, scientists are not sure if the dragonflies stay in Florida, or continue on to other places like Venezuela like the birds do.

Below are some recent photos I took of some very handsome species of dragonflies.  I even challenged myself to try to catch a dragonfly in flight.  That's a tough one!

Notice the bright red edges of this dragonflies wings.  I am thinking perhaps this is to attract a mate?

This was a very large dragonfly sunning just before the sun set.  It does not show well here, but it had a beautiful dusty blue body.

The same species of dragonfly as the previous photo.  this guy was enamored with the color of my son's T-shirt in the sun.  The blue body shows better here.

This guy's colors were stunning.  The sun shining on him really helped to show them off.  His wings were tougher to capture even though the shutter speed was the same as the next one.  I am wondering if perhaps he just moved his wings faster than the next guy?

This dragonfly was very dark in color.  I liked how this shot showed how they tuck their legs up when in flight.  The yellow spot you see on his eye is actually a reflection of the sun.