Dragonfly at the lake

My favorite insect. Beautiful!

Admittedly, I'm on the fence about banners on this gardening site that strongly feature bugs rather than plants, but this has got me swaying well to the bug side. Very nice. That's one beautiful bug.

I normally prefer plants too, but this is pretty. I always called this type a Darning Needle.

The perfectly "physiqued " bug for the banner. Colors are pure summer.

@parttimegardener Makes a great banner

@Whitebeard @plantmanager
Sean, Karen - insects (good, bad and ugly) are part of gardening so why not feature them every so often. Seems we are having a theme week!

Love love love!

for the and the ! I was on a walk with my 60 mm macro lense when I witnessed the dragonflies on a nearby lake. This photo is far away from macro (1:4 ratio) but the closest I could get without disturbing the dragonfly or dropping into the lake and the result perfectly fits the site banner format!

sunnyvalley said: Seems we are having a theme week!

Yeah @sunnyvalley I started a bit of a theme, just a few days worth. Next week we are are having Pollinator week so all the banners are set for that.

I think you've a damselfly there Michael.
Maybe a bluet.(Enallagma civile)


'Damselflies are insects of suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller, have slimmer bodies, and most species fold the wings along the body when at rest'. (Wiki)

Great photo.

Just noted you're from Europe, maybe a different species, but I do think it's a damselfly.

I've heard that dragonflies are indicators of healthy ponds and such, so in addition to their beauty, I'm always happy to see them down at our farm pond.

I get occasional visitors and don't have any water source.

Magnificent banner!

jmorth said:I think you've a damselfly there Michael.
Maybe a bluet.(Enallagma civile)


'Damselflies are insects of suborder Zygoptera in the order Odonata. They are similar to dragonflies, which constitute the other odonatan suborder, Anisoptera, but are smaller, have slimmer bodies, and most species fold the wings along the body when at rest'. (Wiki)

Hello @jmorth most probably it's Coenagrion puella, quite common in Germany and you're right it's a damselfly.

I keep a folder in my photo library just for dragon and damselflies. Therein is one similar to yours:
from a quarry along the Mississippi River.

"Bugs" seem to be an integral part of my garden. This "bug" is one that I often photograph and love seeing, so I really appreciate this banner and love the color! Wish I had some blue ones!

Gorgeous banner! Gorgeous damselfly
Without bugs - we have no flowers

I have really enjoyed seeing your dragonfly all day today.