A wave of dragonflies arrived this week, washed into the yard by the rising tides of summer’s heat.
Blue Dashers are by far the most numerous, claiming spots near the ground in all of the iris beds.
Great Blue Skimmers seem to prefer the slightly higher perches provided by our trellises.
Higher yet, in the wax myrtle canopy, Halloween Pennants pivot in the wind like miniature weather vanes.
(At first glance, the next dragonfly seemed to be another Halloween Pennant, but the camera’s zoom function revealed inconsistent wing patterns. After consulting a few online resources, I believe this is either a female Common Whitetail or a Twelve-Spotted Skimmer. Please comment if you can correct or confirm my identifications!) [Update added June 30: Possibly a Painted Skimmer, see comment from Gillian.]
These new dragonflies join an already-established population of Eastern Pondhawks, which began arriving in late May.
Now, no matter where I look in the yard, I find dragonflies. Summer wouldn’t feel the same without them.
Rae Spencer 
Hi Rae, it’s not a Common Whitetail or a Twelve-spotted Skimmer….those have brown patches in the wings, not orange. My best guess is Painted Skimmer, but I’ve never seen one and don’t know if they are in your area.
Hope this helps!
Gillian
According to the Painted Skimmer page at Odonata Central they can be found all along the east coast of the US, and we’re near the coast of Virginia! Thank you!
Thank you for bringing me up close and personal with this lovely creatures. Great photos.
Stunning photographs. I am beginning to see dragonflies flitting about my small pond in New Jersey.
Gorgeous, Rae. The colors are spectacular. Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Stunning photos!
Amazing photos! Thanks!
Terrific photographs of dragonflies. My grandmother lived in Hampton. When my father was boy they lived in Newport News. I spent many summers playing in the back yard of her Omera Place home. I’m glad you’re writing again. I love to write, I love to paint, and right now I am not doing much of either. Soon…when the grandchildren are older. I spend a lot of time watching them right now. Kathy
Vivid colors, great pics!
Thank you!