On a recent birding outing around Forest Park the birds had made themselves scarce but the bugs were out in force.  So I made lemonade from lemons (maybe not the best metaphor when dealing with bugs) and focused my camera on the six-legged set, in particular on a Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis).  This particular dragonfly was kind enough to sit still, first on a dead stalk and then on the edge of a leaf.  I photographed him (and it is a him, one can tell by the two black streaks on the hind wings near their base) from every angle I could think of, and then did it again.

Blue Dasher

But how did I know that it is a Blue Dasher?  Well, the dark-tipped, pale blue abdomen was the first clue, followed by the white face and greenish eyes.  When I got close enough, the black and yellow striped thorax was the final clue.

Blue Dasher in profile

By the way, the black round things that are visible on the back end of the thorax are some kind of mite, and this dragonfly had them there and all over the underside of his tail.  That can’t be comfortable!

Blue Dasher

Blue Dashers have a long flight season, and are found in southern Canada, across the entire contintental United States except for the north-central area of the country, and, presumably, south into Mexico.  According to couple of sources online, in the spring Blue Dashers are larger and those that emerge later in the season are smaller.  And, despite the Latin “longipennis” in the scientific name these dragonflies are not particularly long-winged.

Blue Dasher

So get out there looking for Blue Dashers: you can find them wherever there is still water.  Enjoy!

Blue Dasher

Written by Corey
Corey is a New Yorker who lived most of his life in upstate New York but has lived in Queens since 2008. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy and Desmond Shearwater. His bird photographs have appeared on the Today Show, in Birding, Living Bird Magazine, Bird Watcher's Digest, and many other fine publications. He is also the author of the American Birding Association Field Guide to the Birds of New York.