*Click to enlargeI'm not good with identification so I'm wondering if Randy (Randy and Megs Garden Paradise) would like to comment? Or, Kim (Wishnik Woods)? Both Randy, and Kim, are wonderful photographers, with dragonflies/damselflies frequently the subjects of their photographs! How about Beckie (Dragonfly Corner)? Or, Rusty (Dragonfly Garden)? Maybe one (or more) of you guys would know.
*Click to enlargeIt's probably just a very common insect--but I also just wanted to share the photos I took--actually there are probably about 40 more of the same thing; I just chose these 5.
*Click to enlargeI adjusted the lighting on the above photo, thus the blue-ish background, and 'jewel-like' colors of the 'specimen'. I kind of like it! If you look closely, that insect really does sparkle-with or without-my shade enhancement.
*Click to enlargeThere were actually 2 of these, but I couldn't tell which was which when I took photos, as they flew around continuously.
*Click to enlargeHave a great day!
--Today I am thankful for dragonflies and damselflies.
We have an ID! Thanks to Randy, Beckie and Kim!
From Randy: "It is a female Ebony Jewelwing, a broad-winged damselfly. The wings on males do not have the white stigmas like the females."
From Beckie: "This is a 'Blackwing Damselfly'. Dragonflies rest with their wings outstretched while the damselfly rests with it's wings folded. It lays it's eggs on the water where the nymphs develop through several stages before their skin spilts and the damselfly emerges. Like the dragonfly they eat mosquitoes and other aquatic insects." note: Beckie's description is so close it is accurate enough for me;-)
From Kim: "This is a pair of Ebony Jewelwings. Their breeding habitat is in streams, but occasionally wander to gardens some distance away."
Wow! You guys are the best! Thanks:-)
I love dragonflies! We have quite a few, I guess because of the little pond. My kids were so afraid of them, but not me. I am fascinated by them. I never seem to have my camera close by when I need it though. Your pictures are great! And, I hope you get better really soon! You're in my prayers!!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Linda
Jan, I'm pretty sure that's a damselfly. They don't open their wings flat like dragonflies do, their bodies are slimmer, and their eyes are closer together.
ReplyDeleteAttempt 5 the browser keeps crashing. You have a broad-winged damselfly here. It is a female Ebony Jewelwing, you almost named it with your description. The wings on males do not have the white stigmas like the females.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fine insect and I sure don't know the difference between dragonfly and damselfly. Both are pretty. You are a good photographer to have caught them sitting for just a second.
ReplyDeleteSorry you feel badly but glad they know what it is. I tried to leave a comment on the last post but something was down of course. So I am glad it is fixed today.
It has the head of dragonfly, but what do I know, I am partial to dragonflies. Great pictures
ReplyDeleteJans, beautiful pictures! This is a 'Blackwing Damselfly'. Dragonflies rest with their wings outstretched while the damselfly rests with it's wings folded. It lays it's eggs on the water where the nymphs develop through several stages before their skin spilts and the damselfly emerges. Like the dragonfly they eat mosquitoes and other aquatic insects.
ReplyDeleteThey are such delicate creatures and are a joy to watch. I am impressed that you were able to get such great photos.
Damselfly huh? Well, whatever, great shots!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful. Nice capture and glad I stopped by to look at it. Never new there was a damselfly before.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. I didn't know the difference until I started reading Randy's blog. I love seeing them in macro :)
ReplyDeleteGreat job capturing it! I need to venture down to the pond again to see if I see any of them around here. Last year I saw so many of them and enjoyed getting a few pictures. They are such cool looking creatures.
ReplyDeleteDamselflies are such beautiful creatures. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteTake it easy my friend and get better soon, hope the "boat" helps.
ReplyDeleteDon´t you worry I can wait no problem at all, I can go around you blog and others and have lots to do.
To look at all the bugs and it is difficult to know the namn of all of them.
I take photo of them to and like you ask other people to give my the name.
I like you turtle garden - when I was in Tunisia a few weeks ago, they had real turtle in the botanical garden i was visiting, I will send you a photo of it.
/Maria Berg, that say thank you for telling me that you think I am a good photographer.
PS. Go to http://mariaberg-foto.blogspot.com/2009/04/tavling-nr-2-vinn-en-forstoring.html
You can participate in one of my give away, one of my photo. It will be written in English down that page.
Wow, you and your camera were made for each other. Great shots!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Looks quite different from the one i posted on my photoblog minutes ago. The third images is stunning.
ReplyDeleteThe general rule is, Damselflies wings run up the body as shown is your picture and Dragonflies are at 90degrees to the body.
ReplyDeleteThey are so beautiful.
Lovely photos you are so clever I have great difficulty catching anything that moves.
ReplyDeleteMy son, who knows about these things, says damselfly wings go backwards, whereas dragonfly wings are at right-angles to the body, like an aeroplane. He's told me this at least 100 times, but I still call them all dragonflies!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see that you are trying to get out and about a little bit. Those are very nice pictures of the damselfly. Looks like you have a few ideas as to which your damselfly might be.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan ... I was going to say damsel fly too .. they are pretty little things though and you got some great pictures of it !
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better girl : )
Jan, this creature is beautiful whatever it is, and you certainly got some great shots of it! I see it's already been identified as a damselfly; I remember last year looking them both up to identify what I saw in my yard, and one has eyes closer together than the other. I would be glad to see either in my garden--I haven't spotted one this spring!
ReplyDeleteCatching up today, and I just read about the Lyme Disease; oh my! I hope the antibiotics do the trick for you and that you feel better soon.
Better late than never? I'm so behind - still battling this sinus infection and trying to get something done outside - but not much. This stuff just won't go away!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture - you have the pretty colored ones. The one I did (not sure what) was just plain black. O'well!
Gorgeous photos! They are little jewels flying through the garden.
ReplyDeleteHi Jan, Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your sweet comments. I think Maine would be such a great place to visit and probably live too! I'm so hopeful one of these days we'll get to visit there.
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert, but I'm guessing damselfly as well. :-) Nice Photos!
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful creatures. I love their metallic colours. Your pictures do them justice!
ReplyDeleteWhich ever it is, those are awesome pics, Jan! Poor you! Still limping. I hope you are better soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm not good at identifying them either Jan but I'd love to have my camera handy to capture some images like you did! They are really nice. I'm hoping my little pond will help lure some into my garden this summer...
ReplyDeleteHi Jan...So glad that you were visited by this pair of Ebony Jewelwings...hopefully they will be regular guests. Yes, they are brilliantly metallic in color, just gorgeous! Their breeding habitat is in streams, but occassionally wander to gardens some distance away...lucky you!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the others Jan, it looks like a damselfly to me too. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteDamselfly, is it? Lovely either way! I don't see many of those around my house.
ReplyDeleteI just love Randy's knowledge about such things... I always head right over to him to ask him to help with ID's too... he is SO helpful. Those damselflies are not easy to get the lens to focus on... you did a great job. They are such wonderful and delicate looking creatures.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great weekend and I hope you are looking forward to a fabulous week. Blessings to you.
Meems
Those are really pretty shots of the damselfly, Jan. If they're slim and delicate-looking, they're damsels. At least that's how I identify them ;D
ReplyDeleteJan, great job with these photos! I would imagine they're hard to capture sitting still. Always fun to find 'new' creatures in the garden!
ReplyDeleteLynn
It's the first time seeing a broad winged damselfly, for me. Beautiful capture, and of course, I was very interested in Randy's comment. We only have the regular ones here. I'm glad I stopped by today.
ReplyDeleteIt's so satisfing when you get close to take a pic and they DON'T fly off.
ReplyDeleteNice photos Jan
What a lovely creature. I never see any around my farm. It might be too far from the water where they breed, altho we do have a creek just down the hill. I will try walking along the creek and looking for them. Would love to get some photos like yours.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
Hi Jan.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting me today.
I hope that you are feeling well.
Wounderful photos of that damselfly.You are an exellent photographer. I love your pictures.
I hope that you are having a good time, I have to work two more weeks then I´m having my vacation.
I´ll bee free for five weeks.
Have a great day
Gunilla
Wow what beautiful pictures you got! I have never seen one with their wings closed. That is so cool!
ReplyDeleteI am sending you a big big hug!!! And I give you some of my children's energy they have a lot for the moment so I want them ti sit still so now I am sending you some!
ReplyDeleteLove Maria Berg
Gorgeous photographs
ReplyDeleteThe jewel colors on the mystery dragonfly are amazing. Can't help you with the name. Where's that insect indentification book when you need it? Is it even considered an insect? See, I know nuttin' when it comes to bugs.
ReplyDeletePretty photography!
ReplyDeleteJan,
ReplyDeleteKudos for attracting some pretty and non-violent insects to the garden. He is very handsome.
Barbarapc
Don't know the difference between a dragonfly or damselfly.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots ! What color on that little guy.
Way to go Jan !
Great pictures, just love them
ReplyDeleteWow! She's wonderful! Such vibrant colors! Sometimes, we just don't appreciate nature for its beauty, which's sad, eh!
ReplyDeleteYou did an awesome job of photographing them, Jan.
Hope your leg's better now. Take care
beautiful captures...i think they are such amazing insects ^..^
ReplyDeletehave a lovely afternoon.
OMG, I just posted a photo of one of these in my blog about visiting Brenda of BG_Gardens. There were scads of those things flying about her woods. Beautiful, aren't they? You have some wonderful photos of it. Mine was a female, too.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos! I had to laugh when you wrote about taking way more photos than these. I just posted a bunch of photos of our downtown farmer's market for SkyWatch Friday. I had typed that they were about half the number I took, but ended up deleting that part. LOL
ReplyDeleteLOVE the damselfly. You have captured how mystical and magical they really are!
ReplyDelete