Mid-Summer Dragonflies

Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) - Immature Male

As we careen through the summer months, the annual changing of the guard in the dragonfly world has recently occurred.  Gone, but for a few stragglers, are the Clubtails that seem to dominate the spring and early summer.  Now the Skimmers, Pennants, and Meadowhawks have arrived to ride out the summer until fall.  This year, aside from the early Springtime Darners and the ubiquitous Common Green Darners, I have not seen as many of the large darners cruising the skies.  I do not know if more will start to show up soon or if this will be an off year for them as occasionally happens for some species.  I photographed all of these one evening last week at Fenner Nature Center.

Twelve-Spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchela) - Adult Male

Meadowhawk (Sympetrum sp.)