Roseate Skimmer Dragonfly: Another dragonfly I got to photograph in Texas is the Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) . Its range is Brazil to the lower two thirds of the US. Vagrants...

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Roseate Skimmer Dragonfly

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Oct 31, 2023 21:32:34 #

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Another dragonfly I got to photograph in Texas is the Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea). Its range is Brazil to the lower two thirds of the US. Vagrants have been spotted in Virginia and Maryland near me but they are rare observations. The males are quite showy. They are a rosy red that is pruinose (a waxy film) making it a beautiful pink with a metallic purple face. The males will defend a territory very aggressively fighting off all males of their species that enter the area. The last shot is an immature male. He is the color of a female for a few hours and then begins his transition to the pink male color. Females are orange/brown and if you look closely you will see "flaps" or "tabs" on either side at the end of the abdomen. During egg laying she will hover above the water in a vertical position and drop the end of her abdomen into the water and use those flaps to scoop water and fling it with fertilized eggs onto a wet muddy bank. It's pretty cool to watch.

Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) F by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) Imm. M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

Enjoy! More to come!

Oct 31, 2023 21:34:43 #

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

What a beautiful set, Doc! Love the color.

Oct 31, 2023 21:40:45 #

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Oct 31, 2023 21:41:05 #

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

UTMike wrote:

What a beautiful set, Doc! Love the color.

Yes they are beautiful Mike. The color is striking but they can be a bit easily spooked. Thanks for looking in.
>i< Doc

Oct 31, 2023 21:51:33 #

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Longshadow wrote:

Thank you LS. They are beautiful. Can't wait to get home and head down to Longwood for the 1000 bloom mum and Christmas displays. Do you go to Longwood?
>i< Doc

Oct 31, 2023 22:01:55 #

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Awesome, Doc. And thanks for the excellent narrative.

Oct 31, 2023 22:24:47 #

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Wow! I see why you like them! What amazes me about them, and many insects, is the never ending evolutionary quirks that they have developed to deal with a complicated and dangerous world!

Oct 31, 2023 22:33:02 #

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

kpmac wrote:

Awesome, Doc. And thanks for the excellent narrative.

I appreciate that Ken. I often wonder if I should throw in a narrative. Sometimes I wonder if people are saying, "who cares" or "what's he trying to prove?" I'm glad you got something out of it.
>i< Doc

Oct 31, 2023 22:36:25 #

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Retired CPO wrote:

Wow! I see why you like them! What amazes me about them, and many insects, is the never ending evolutionary quirks that they have developed to deal with a complicated and dangerous world!

How right you are Chief! It's a cruel world for every level of life. And yes, this species is just beautiful and striking.
>i< Doc

Oct 31, 2023 23:43:23 #

bigruckus Loc: montana

Those are beautiful!!!!

Oct 31, 2023 23:55:33 #

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

What beautiful dragons Doc.

Nov 1, 2023 07:03:53 #

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

bigruckus wrote:

Those are beautiful!!!!

Thanks again big ruckus! So glad you are enjoying them. These are exquisite creatures. This species can be a little skittish trying to photograph them. Patience is key in dragon hunting.
>i< Doc

Nov 1, 2023 07:09:56 #