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Project Noah Nature School
Pachydiplax longipennis
This is a series documenting a few minutes in the mating process of two blue dasher dragonflies. First they came together in the wheel position, usually in the air, then they'd settle for about 30 seconds. Then they remain in tandem while the female oviposits into the water. Eventually they separate and she continues this process by herself. This repeats several times, usually with some intrusions by other males and some fascinating gladiatorial displays for the first male to stake his claim!
Small pond in Yale Road Park in Bartlett, TN.
Spotted on Aug 16, 2012
Submitted on Aug 31, 2012
4 Comments
I'm happy to share some of what I've learned about dragonflies! I shot some photos of a mating pair of Blue Dashers. Unfortunately, the pair disappeared as soon as they separated! http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/127...
Thanks Geodialist! I have a ways to go on getting all my terminology right.
Those were 1/1250 shutter speed at ISO 2500, hence the graininess. I'd been observing at that pond several days in a row and getting a lot of blurry shots of the females ovipositing, so I figured a little grain was worth it for a clearer shot.
The happy couple is actually mating in Photo 1, in a position known as "in wheel." They are "in tandem" in Photos 2-3. Great in-flight photos (4-5) of the female -- what shutter speed did you use?
Excellent series! Glad you stuck around to observe and document it. :-)