Tattered

 Looks like this female widow skimmer has been through a WW I dogfight and lucky to be alive! September 8, 2021

At least three of the dragonflies I photographed today at the wetland were showing their age in the wear on their wings. Apart from the common green darners and some meadowhawk species, dragonfly abundance is low at the wetland now anyway, and like the female widow skimmer above, those that are still around are increasingly showing their age. Not to worry though, dragonflies are incredible fliers and while a dragonfly with damaged wings may be at a disadvantage competing against other dragonflies, finding and capturing food is still usually possible as even with damaged wings they can almost certainly outfly most any other insect they might choose to have for dinner. Nevertheless, apart from those that will migrate south, as the nights grow cold, their days are numbered.

Male great blue skimmer showing some wear and tear, September 8, 2021

A tandem pair of common green darners laying eggs. Her wings are showing her age. September 8, 2021


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