Common Green Darner
Anax junius
Male and Female
About 3"
5.24.13
I've never seen one of these strong fliers ever land individually.* I know he/she does - just not for me, apparently.
This pair, however, was more obliging. They were flying in tandem, with the male's tail appendages clasping the head of the female. Then they settled on the plant so the female could lay her eggs in the water.
Anax junius
Male and Female
About 3"
5.24.13
I've never seen one of these strong fliers ever land individually.* I know he/she does - just not for me, apparently.
This pair, however, was more obliging. They were flying in tandem, with the male's tail appendages clasping the head of the female. Then they settled on the plant so the female could lay her eggs in the water.
* After waiting for almost two years, the dragonfly gods finally smiled on me (7/14/14), and I was able to photograph an individual (below) who landed near me. Since then, I've had a male briefly land, but he wouldn't let me get the shot. Notice the distinctive bull's-eye marking nestled between the actual eyes. Also, the vertical perching. I couldn't determine if it was a female or an immature male, but an expert on bug guide came through for me:
"Female. The males have a little tooth on each of the cerci (the appendages at the end of the abdomen). The males also have a narrower 'waist' (constriction near base of abdomen)." .… Cliff Bernzweig, 19 July, 2014
"Female. The males have a little tooth on each of the cerci (the appendages at the end of the abdomen). The males also have a narrower 'waist' (constriction near base of abdomen)." .… Cliff Bernzweig, 19 July, 2014