I decided to return to the wetlands where I found the dark blue last week and this time I got lucky again! This mister looks like a "Jaunty Dropwing" Still a youngster as you can see the yellow markings starting to emerge! Later on in the season many of the other kinds of Dragonflies will also start to appear and eventually by April the place will be turned into a circus of zooming colors.
Let the photos speak to their beauty!
This one is known as the "Broad Scarlet" and believe me they are so fast that they can disappear in the same way as the "Scarlet Pimpernel"
And so, I have placed two photos of each Dragonfly species and hope you have enjoyed them! Allow me to say that last year (2017) one of my Dragonflies was selected and published in a USA Wildlife Magazine!
The little fellows are crafty fliers and if I may share a trick with you, never let your shadow fall on them when you stalk them for a photo! Always face them with the sun in front of you!
Some amazing facts; Dragonflies can trace their lineage to 300 million years ago! They predate Dinosaurs by 100 million years and birds by 150 million years! The count of Dragonfly species in the world numbers 5,952 (2013) and they were of the very first "animals to evolve to the power of flight" (Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa ISBN 978-1-77584-184-5)
We hope and trust that you have enjoyed this post by @papilloncharity
Thank you for the visit!
Team South Africa banner designed by @bearone
Wow! Great captures! I love dragonflies and really would like these in my page!
Of course, I give them to you Lady Melinda with a warm heart!
I haven't seen these for years @papilloncharity. Maybe there are seasonal creatures.
They occur seasonal during the months of October to March every year in South Africa my friend! Remember that they spend most of their lives (up to 6 years) as Nymphs in the water and only a couple of months as actual Dragonflies!
Wow! Thank you for the valuable info.
Dragonfly's are really big nowadays! Great shots. They are beautiful. Thank you for the info too. Great post.
Your reply sounds like your tag name, sweetjoy! Glad that you liked it and thank you for your kind support to our charity!
I would like to speak much better English to tell you how much I love your photos and your ideas. The dragonfly pictures are really beautiful and your post on the butterfly foundation is really touching.
I really like what you do @papilloncharity
Thank you for the kind words and I am glad that you liked the photos! Thank you also for your support and all blessings to you!
Waoooi i love this pict
Thank you! Glad you loved the pictures!
Thanks for sharing amazing photography tips and beautiful photography, these guys move all the time and are not the easiest to capture.
Thank you Lady Joan, patience and persistence!
This is absolutely marvelous my Friend, Thank you so much for shraing the Dragonfly story and wonderful shots. I am fascinated with them, but totally unlucky to capture one. In the Toronto area where I live there are many of them especially White Tail, but other kinds too. Unfortunately, they always buzzing above my head, but never sit down, except once. However, I did exactly the opposite of what you are suggesting, so she flew away soon as got closer. Thank you so much for the advice, maybe I will be luckier this summer 😊
I trust you will Lady Lena, glad you liked the shots and many more to come! The name of the game are the two P's, Persistance and Perseverance! Best of luck to you and thank you for the nice reply! Blessings!
Thank you so much I look forward to see more my Friend 😊
Yes, @papillionxharity I have hunted dragonflies before but none of my photography shots of them come anywhere near as spectacular as yours. These images are incredible and congratulations on your published photo in the USA Wildlife Magazine. That is a huge achievement.
Thank you so much for the kind words Lady @trudeehunter, it certainly takes a lot of practice and I remember so well the excitement I felt after the first one when I saw how beautiful these guys really are! Blessings!
You have every reason to be proud of these photos @papillioncharity It takes practice and plenty of patience as they are such hyper little creatures but very beautiful when you get the opportunity to view them with interest as you have allowed us to do with this post. Thanks so much for sharing them.