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dragonfly id please (1 Viewer)

goldfinch

Well-known member
Hello,

Can someone help id this dragonfly for me please?

photo taken with coolpix 4500; Virginia Beach, VA
 

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dragonfly id

Hello,

Thanks for the compliment! I was able to get very close to this one... and
also was able to sit there for a good 10 minutes or more while he "posed"
for me!

Here's an attachment of a close-up of his eyes... showing the facets on both
sides of his hairy little face!

I'm not very familiar with d-flys.... I understand that photographing certain parts of their anatomy is vital for identifying them.

I'm trying to make sure I've got the head & tail within the photo frame
before I shoot.

Thanks for the quick reply and help.
 

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Very nice photo, Goldfinch. Forcreeks is probably your man.
By the way, are you sure 'he's a male?
Was it a very hot day when you took the pic?
 
male or female?

Surreybirder said:
Very nice photo, Goldfinch. Forcreeks is probably your man.
By the way, are you sure 'he's a male?
Was it a very hot day when you took the pic?


I'm not sure if it's a male or female.... I took a dozen or so shots from different angles (some full body shots & some tight-cropped shots around
its head).

Attached is another view of the same d-fly.

I took the photos today around noon, very sunny, temperature around 90
degrees. The little guy was perching on top of a couple of bamboo poles
in the ground. I was able to sit down right in front of him... about a foot
away. Now and he'd fly away but would return.... and when he didn't,
I just go over to the next bamboo pole and continue shooting.

Linda
 

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Another nice photo, Linda. It looks a little bit like the blue dasher female (Pachydiplax longipennis). But I'm probably wrong--not least because it's behaviour makes it sound like a territorial male!!
I asked about the temp because many dragonflies perch with their abdomens pointing upwards towards the sun (the so called 'obelisk' position) in very hot weather. (I've only seen it once in the UK!)
I expect one of our American members will ID it with confidence in due course.
Ken

Edit Have a look at the pic of the imm. male HERE
 
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Hello Ken,

Thanks for the link to the photo of the imm.male dasher.... they look very
similar.

I'm attaching another shot of the same d-fly... this one is more of a
side profile and may help with identification.

Linda
 

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that's a great pic, Linda. I think it's probably a male blue dasher that hasn't quite reached full maturity.
But as I said on your other thread, I've never seen it in life, and you'd best get it verified by Forcreeks!
Ken
 
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