A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Phanogomphus exilis
Dragonfly with blue eyes, a brown thorax with blue stripes, and a dorsal yellow stripe along the full length of the abdomen. Approximately 45 mm long.
In a meadow near a large pond.
Spotted on Jun 14, 2017
Submitted on Dec 11, 2017
5 Comments
Yes, they are quick! This one flew off before I could get a better shot, as they often do! In the early mornings, before they warm up, you can often catch them in your hand if you sneak up behind them :). Although they will bite in self-defense, and rightly so I suppose!
I know it's difficult but if you could ever get a side view too it helps. They are smart and notice things. I learn a few things about them they can see if you have a net to try to capture them. If they hover in front of you they are trying to tell if you are predator or prey.
Thanks for the help Livan and Jellis! I struggle with identifying dragonflies, and I really appreciate your comments :). I will look into clubtails.
I agree something like a clubtail or something of the Gomphidae family.
The face is not wide enough to be a dasher and the abdomen is not right.
I think it's a club tail, not a dasher. Not 100% sure; but I think this or something close. https://bugguide.net/node/view/3148