Yesterday we looked at the family
Libellulidae (skimmers). Celithemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are known commonly as pennants. Pennants get their name from the position in which they perch - like a flag or pennant. Their legs get progressively longer toward their abdomen which allows them to perch in this position.
The first picture is a male Slaty Skimmer (Libellulidae incesta).
Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) M by
Tony Schoch, on Flickr
The next shot is a male Double Ringed Pennant [i]Celithemis verna). They look quite the same. They are both in the same family just a different genus. Can you pick out the identifying field marks?
The Double-ringed Pennant (Celithemis verna) M by
Tony Schoch, on Flickr
OK I know what you're saying. "Where are the double rings." The female and an immature male look pretty much the same. Black with yellow rings just behind the wings on the abdomen. As the male becomes more mature it takes on the color of slate blue you see here.
More dragons to come! Stay safe and well.
-Doc
[quote=docshark]Yesterday we looked at the family
Libellulidae (skimmers). Celithemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are known commonly as pennants. Pennants get their name from the position in which they perch - like a flag or pennant. Their legs get progressively longer toward their abdomen which allows them to perch in this position.
The first picture is a male Slaty Skimmer (Libellulidae incesta).
Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) M by
Tony Schoch, on Flickr
The next shot is a male Double Ringed Pennant [i]Celithemis verna). They look quite the same. They are both in the same family just a different genus. Can you pick out the identifying field marks?
The Double-ringed Pennant (Celithemis verna) M by
Tony Schoch, on Flickr
OK I know what you're saying. "Where are the double rings." The female and an immature male look pretty much the same. Black with yellow rings just behind the wings on the abdomen. As the male becomes more mature it takes on the color of slate blue you see here.
More dragons to come! Stay safe and well.
-Doc[/quote]
Doc, I look forward always from your posts and images like the male Slaty Skimmer (Libellulidae incesta).Awesome super sharp image.. Thanks for what you do. You are an amazing storehouse knowledge. Stay safe and well.Stan
Excellent photography, Doc, with information for the uninitiated.
PixelStan77 wrote:
Doc, I look forward always from your posts and images like the male Slaty Skimmer (Libellulidae incesta).Awesome super sharp image.. Thanks for what you do. You are an amazing storehouse knowledge. Stay safe and well.Stan
I always look forward to your assessment of my work Stan. I enjoy sharing info on these beautiful creatures. The more I learn about them the more they amaze me.
-Doc
UTMike wrote:
Excellent photography, Doc, with information for the uninitiated.
Thank you Mike. Sometimes I hesitate including the information with the pictures but as one of the members here once said, "if people don't want the information, let them look at the pictures." I just appreciate when someone let's me know the where, when and why. Glad you enjoyed them.
-Doc
angler wrote:
Great shots Doc.
Cheers Jim. So glad you enjoyed them. It was soooo hot that day and 5 hours really did me in. Dehydrated for three days.
Be safe and well my friend.
-Doc
rlaugh wrote:
Great job Doc!!!
Thanks so much my friend. Glad you enjoyed them.
-Doc
phlash46
Loc: Westchester County, New York
Excellent and interesting, yet again.
Wow, these images are great Doc!
Doc, excellent series and highly educational. I truly look forward to you work and I learn something new each time I read them.
[quote=docshark]Yesterday we looked at the family
Libellulidae (skimmers). Celithemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are known commonly as pennants. Pennants get their name from the position in which they perch - like a flag or pennant. Their legs get progressively longer toward their abdomen which allows them to perch in this position.
The first picture is a male Slaty Skimmer (Libellulidae incesta).
Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) M by
Tony Schoch, on Flickr
The next shot is a male Double Ringed Pennant [i]Celithemis verna). They look quite the same. They are both in the same family just a different genus. Can you pick out the identifying field marks?
The Double-ringed Pennant (Celithemis verna) M by
Tony Schoch, on Flickr
OK I know what you're saying. "Where are the double rings." The female and an immature male look pretty much the same. Black with yellow rings just behind the wings on the abdomen. As the male becomes more mature it takes on the color of slate blue you see here.
More dragons to come! Stay safe and well.
-Doc[/quote]
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