That is if you like newborn dragonflies, as all of these were born very recently. But first I will show you one of my favorite dragonfly hunting spots.
The reason why this is a favorite is that they roast their own coffee beans and the taste is great.
Amazing critters are the dragonflies and the damselflies, created so many centuries ago. Dragonflies were around when the terrifying Dinos's roamed the earth and they have survived. Albeit in a much smaller creation, but yeah, they have an ancient history to be proud of.
So, come and see.
The three photos below are of a Jaunty Dropwing (Trithemis sticica).
This Damselfly is a Mountain Sprite (Pseudagrion draconis).
Note that although dragonflies and damselflies are of the same Odonata order, they are different species.
Dragonflies fall in the Anisoptera sub-order and Damselflies are in the Zygoptera sub-order.
It is stated that there are about 850 species on the African continent south of the Sahara desert. And we are in the south.
Now you will see some newborn Violet Dropwings (Trithemis annulata)
See the wet wings? When dragonflies emerge from their cocoons, their wings are wet and shiny. By tomorrow their wings will have been dried out.
The sun made their wet wings look like shiny fairy confetti.
And here's one that was almost dry.
Fascinating insects that helped me a great deal to develop my photography skills and they have a soft place in my heart, as they are not only intricately designed and colored, but they are also the world's fastest hunters. And of course, they are ancient creatures that lived in the dinosaur era. I have mentioned before that some dragonfly nymphs can live under water for 7 years before they emerge into adulthood from their cocoons, and then they only live for a few months to breed before they die.
Imagine that? You are born, you make a baby and then you die.
Like I said, they are fascinating creatures and to know them you have to study them. Many surprises await particularly to the origin of their name, their astonishing flying skills and those crushing jaws.
I simply love them.
Some information was taken from my book: Dragonflies and Damselflies of South Africa, by Warwick and Michele Tarboton. ISBN 978-1-77584-184-5
I hope that you will all have a good Friday and a great weekend.
And That's All Friends.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.
