Twelve-spotted Skimmer

Description:

From Wikipedia: The Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) is a common North American skimmer dragonfly, found in southern Canada and in all 48 of the contiguous U.S. states. It is a large species, at 50 mm (2.0 in) long. Each wing has three brown spots. In adult males, additional white spots form between the brown ones and at the bases of the hindwings; it is sometimes called the Ten-spot Skimmer for the number of these white spots.

Habitat:

Ponds and lakes; sometimes bogs or slow-moving streams.

Notes:

I had an amazing encounter with this dragonfly today. He stayed with me in my yard all afternoon! He let me get within inches of his face with my camera, so I was able to take some amazing shots! I finally put my camera down, and began working in my yard. No matter where I went, he followed! He even flew back and forth past me while... I was mowing my lawn. When I uploaded my photos, I couldn't believe it when I saw this one. Not only a photo of my dragonfly friend... I caught a wasp in mid-air, too, with wings a blur, flying by! Note: I submitted the photo to BugGuide.net for ID, and was told that the dragonfly is a female Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Libellula pulchell. And the wasp is a black and yellow mud dauber.