Carnivores are predators, and predators, by nature, are built for speed. They have sharp teeth and claws and acute senses, such as advanced eyesight to detect prey. Scientific studies have even shown that carnivores are smarter than herbivores. You only have to look to your own backyard, or the wetland areas of the Arboretum, to discover one such carnivore, the dragonfly.
A blue dasher uses its wings to control body temperature.
Have you ever tried to get close to a dragonfly? Some large dragonflies can fly up to 34 miles per hour; experience 4 g of force as they fly in a straight line; and can maneuver up, down, left, right and backwards, so you don’t have great odds of catching them. Learning about their abilities can help you get close enough to snap a photo.
They love to “perch” on the tallest stick or stem in a clump of grass to warm up, and they use their large compound eyes to their advantage. I invite you to read more about compound eyes and other adaptations of dragonflies to discover how wonderfully they are wrought.
A common whitetail warms up on a fence in the morning sun.
Perhaps an SLR camera, a tripod and a zoom lens would make everything easier, but for a real challenge, try using your phone. The camera you have right in your pocket can take great photos and as an added benefit, you can upload information directly to scientists using the iNaturalist app.
There are over 30 types of bluet damselflies, distinguished by patterns of black and blue.
If you want to catch a dragonfly with your phone camera, you must know where they are and how they act. As you make your way through the Arboretum on your next visit, consider some of the following tips for close observation of dragonflies. I would dedicate one visit alone to stalking the order of Odonata, which includes both dragonflies and damselflies.
Odonata is from the Greek word for “tooth,” in reference to the jaws of adults. Besides serrated jaws, both dragonflies and damselflies share large compound eyes, legs with claws and spines, and four-veined, large wings that are about the same length but vary in shape. Damselflies are smaller, lightweight and their wings are nearly alike. The eyes of damselflies are separated, while larger dragonflies have eyes that are near or touching each other.
The meadowhawk dragonfly is built for speed and precision reconnaissance.
Perching and patrolling are two favorite pastimes and responsibilities of both. Males are territorial so they “patrol” a section of land to keep other dragonflies and enemies away from females and the immature. A territory can be as small as a yard or as large as 100 square feet, the patrol lasting from several minutes to several hours. That is one of the noticeable traits of the species: zig-zagging over the same area in a wetland, pond or river’s edge. When you are scouting for dragonflies, this is one thing you will notice first. Look around in the adjoining areas of grass to spot other resting dragonflies and damselflies, those are the ones you can photograph, not the dude patrolling, he’s already seen you.
Now, scout out a good habitat. The Arboretum has many great dragonfly-viewing habitats and now is the prime season for dragonflies and damselflies.
Spring Peeper Meadow is an ideal dragonfly and damselfly habitat, with slow-moving water and wetland, plants that grow up to the water’s edge, bright sunlight and sticks and stems that accommodate the Odonata to perch, patrol and prey upon midges and mosquitoes. The boardwalk gives a great viewing space, as do the pathways along the edge of the wetlands.
Sunlight is important to warm these cold-blooded predators. In early morning they can be seen with wings extended, in a slight stupor before the sun warms them enough to fly. (This is also true for bumble bees). These photos were taken early in the morning, when dragonflies are most accommodating to photographers. The bright sun glare makes it difficult to photograph dragonflies, but even the slight shadow you cast over them can scare them off.
A twelve-spot skimmer takes five.
Another quiet wetland next to the Marion Andrus Learning Center, along the service road to the Dog Commons, has slow-moving water that provides excellent habitat for the Odonata in immature stages, called nymphs, larvae or naiads, that are entirely aquatic. Even clean lakes that have too many fish or excess “wake” from boat motors are not safe habitat for dragonflies and their young.
Damselflies have two sets of nearly identical wings.
When you spot a perching dragonfly or damselfly basking in the sunlight, slowly bring your phone or camera up and focus on it, then gradually move your phone/camera closer, pressing the shutter as you bring only the camera/phone closer. It will take some practice to hold and advance it stealthily! These images were gathered over the past 3 years.
It takes a bit of patience to see damselflies or dragonflies in the grass, but once you start to look for the right habitat and use slow observation, you will have many opportunities to catch a dragonfly.
Zan Tomko is an artist, horticulturist and a Minnesota Master Naturalist. More information about the program is available online.