Dragonflies
On my walk to the creek with the dogs yesterday I realised I wasn’t alone. I looked up to find a cluster of dragonflies following me.
I juggled my glass of wine to get a few shots with my phone. I didn’t aim, I just waved my phone around in the air in the hope that I would capture something (okay, now you know I’m just a scatter-gun-shoot-anywhere-and-hope-for-the-best kind of photographer!)
Just in case you can’t see these monsters in the above photos I’ve expanded part of a picture and put it below
I’m lucky in the fact that I actually love creatures of all kinds. I have friends from the colder climates who visit and feel a little uncomfortable with the amount of insects we have here.
I called one of my sons who also lives in the tropics and he informed me that the emergence of the dragonflies means the ‘wet season’ is over.
Are you also getting subtle (or not so subtle) signs of the season change in your part of the world?
Dianne Gray author 
No insects here yet. They’re still hiding, knowing more cold and snow is on its way. 😦
LikeLike
They’ve got to emerge in your neck of the woods soon, Theo 😦
LikeLike
Good grief, I bet the docs out your way see all sorts of interesting bites. That’s a big bug!!
LikeLike
I don’t think dragonflies bite – but there are plenty of other insects here that do. Sometimes we get locums here to stand in for our regular doctors and they can come from all parts of the world. They can get pretty confused if someone comes in with an insect bite or sting because there are so many insects here it’s hard to tell where to start and how poisonous the bite is. Many years ago I was stung by a wasp that no one had seen before (and we haven’t seen since) – also, my son had a paralysis tic and an Irish locum removed it with a pair of tweezers which is something a local doctor would never do because it causes the injection of the poison (and he became a very sick boy indeed!). It would be very interesting working in a medical centre here, Carrie! 😀
LikeLike
I bet. I, too, would be at a loss on how to handle some of those. Then again, I could probably add to my bugs-found-in-ears list. 😉
LikeLike
LOL! I’ve had one of those and I hate the squelching sound. Our remedy is to put a battery operated torch to the ear asap and it seems to get whatever bug out pretty quick. Although, with kids it’s not an easy task because you have to catch them and calm them down first 😉
LikeLike
I love these. Dragonflies are one of the few insects I actually like. I’m always amazed by how fast they dart around. You’re lucky to capture them with your phone! You must have some fast trigger finger!
LikeLike
And I didn’t spill a drop of wine 😉
I just love dragonflies – they’ve been hovering around the RUC for about three days now and it’s such a beautiful sight! 😀
LikeLike
A lady after my own heart. lol
LikeLike
Never seen ones as big as those. The last shot makes me think of the small aeroplanes that the wright brothers flew.
LikeLike
I’ve never seen them that big either, Colline. They’ve been hanging around for about three days and they’re just wonderful to watch. Maybe I could climb aboard one and go for a ride (yes – they’re certainly ‘wright brothers’ big!) 😀
LikeLike
🙂 that would be quite a ride!
LikeLike
Careful, they look like ‘drones’! 🙂 We do have lately teaser days in the sixties/seventies. Then, an arctic blast will hit us with thirties/forties…but I’m guessing we might have seen the worst of winter here. Today, it’s absolutely glorious as I sit looking across the canyon! One son and daughter-in-law live in St. Louis and one day they were in the eighties – next day, thirties… Go figure! Stay safe.
LikeLike
That sounds like the weather where I used to live, Billy Ray. I would always ‘layer’ my clothing because the temperature could change in an instant!
‘Drones’ – hmm, I wonder what they’re looking for? LOL 😀
LikeLike
Have to agree with everyone saying Egad! Those are huge!
No signs of spring here yet – though we’ve had more days over freezing than below this week.
Glad yours is starting!
LikeLike
Our Autumn is starting which is a huge relief – it’s been fairly hot here of late 😀
Spring must reach your shores soon, your winter has been far too punishing this year. Best of luck with it 😉
LikeLike
How nice! I love dragonflies. We had a skunk go through the other night. Spring is in the air! LOL
LikeLike
Haaaa! I love that – what a great sign that spring is on it’s way! 😀
LikeLike
I know you don’t have skunks in Australia do you? they stink up the place. LOL…:-)
LikeLike
I’ve never seen a real skunk (you’re right – we don’t have them here) but I’ve heard they can be very smelly indeed! 😀
LikeLike
Oh yes they can and it’s a terrible smell. My dog Sam was very interested, but I wouldn’t let him go outside as they spray their stink of poor things that scare or corner them and it takes forever to get rid of the smell! 🙂
LikeLike
Yikes! That’s not a smell you want traipsed into the house 😦
LikeLike
Oh we have signs of warmth – the lizards are coming out and about. My sons have caught at least eight of them. (The do release them back into the yard, unharmed.) My eight year old now knows what mating is and was able to explain how he knew two of the lizards they had captured were mating. Nice 🙂
LikeLike
LOL – it’s good to now the kids learn from the natural world. I would have loved to have heard the conversation about this! 😀
LikeLike
I love dragonflies…..they usually land on me. They are supposed to mean good luck, or so I’ve heard.
LikeLike
Oh – this is sounding promising! I need some good luck at the moment 😉
I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. I hope you’re okay and am sending you more big hugs xxxx
LikeLike
thank you….it’s a mix of good moments and bad moments. I’m trying to keep happy memories, but those sad moments sneak up on you.
LikeLike
I see them as ‘falling in a hole’. Sometimes they hit you from absolutely nowhere and it’s difficult to climb out for a while 😦
LikeLike
Nice captures!
LikeLike
Thanks John! I’m no photographer, but I like to try 😉
LikeLike
They are a thing of beauty.
Here, the snow is trying to melt, but we just had another 7 inches dumped on us. Now the drifts are up over my waist again.
LikeLike
Oh no! That winter has to go soon – it’s been too cold for too long. I’ll try to direct some of our hot air from the southern hemisphere in your direction 😉
LikeLike
It is still very summery and delightful here in southern QLD but the nights are cooling off, which makes for great sleeping. Dragonflies are such gorgeous creatures, aren’t they.
LikeLike
Last night was coolish here in Cairns (I think it got down to about 21) and it’s nice having the cool nights again 😀
It has been very wet up until now and thankfully those cyclones have whizzed off in opposite directions. I’m really looking forward to winter 😉
LikeLike
Holy cow, Dianne, they look like an aircraft! We have a lot of dragonflies during the hottest months of the summer, but I’ve never seen any that huge. 🙂
Spring is trying to take hold here in North Carolina. We’ll hit 70 tomorrow, but then back into the upper 40’s early next week. March is like a rollercoaster ride.
Enjoy your weekend!
LikeLike
Rollercoaster is the right word for your weather at the moment. It used to be like that when I lived in another state and I would have to ‘layer’ my clothing to prepare for every possible weather event in a single day 😉
Those dragonflies are HUGE – they’ve been buzzing the RUC now for about three days. I love them! 😀
LikeLike
They are pretty cool and harmless. As far as I know, they don’t sting, they just fly around and dive bomb people taking walks. Perhaps they were trying to get a closer look at your recent makeover. 🙂
LikeLike
LOL! They might have been! 😀
LikeLike
Freeze, thaw. Freeze, thaw. Freeze, thaw. It’s a pretty normal Spring after an abnormal winter. Maybe the rain will melt the snow…but tomorrow we’re headed for another freeze (and it’ll be slippery.) I envy your insects.
LikeLike
The weather in the northern hemisphere just can’t make up it’s mind at the moment. That sun is trying so hard to get through and then the snow hits again – it has to level out soon for you 😉
LikeLike
Looks like an aeroplane coming into land ! No signs here apart from cooler mornings, I don’t have to put up with Jurassic park invading lol love how you take the dogs for a walk with a glass of wine 😆 my kinda gal! 😉 xx
LikeLike
…and I didn’t spill a drop! 😀 You would have been proud of me LOL 😆
LikeLike
Dat’s ma gurl lol 😆
LikeLike
Ah, so much to say. (1), from now on, I’m attempting my photography with a glass of wine in hand and swirling it (the camera and the glass) around and hoping I have the luck you did. (2), the birds are twittering loudly, early AND late, here now, which also means the insects must be hatching like crazy. Also, our hummingbird population has increased.
LikeLike
Haaaa – I’m trying to learn how to take photos, but this time I couldn’t really see looking up into the blue sky so I thought I’d wing it! I was surprised I got anything at all 😉
The birds are a sure sign Spring is on the way – YAY! 😀
LikeLike
I love photographing bugs, as long as I don’t have to touch them!! We have lots of dragonflies here periodically throughout the year. And I don’t think we’ve had a real Winter; it’s been Spring since Nov or Dec, which doesn’t bode well for Summer coming up. But in the meantime, it’s been lovely not having to run either heat or air conditioning in the house. 🙂
LikeLike
It sounds like you’ve had the ‘perfect’ winter, Ruth. I just hope Summer is kind to you 😉
I try not to touch bugs (although I do, on occasion, to shoo them of me) 😉
LikeLike
Days are lighter later, the sun’s out in all its glory, my mood is lifting (!!!) and a friend said she saw a Canada Goose yesterday, so it’s definitely around the corner, if not here already.
I just love that you have a glass of wine while walking your dogs! ❤
LikeLike
YAY – Spring has sprung in your neck of the woods 😀
It’s about ‘wine time’ when the dogs are ready for their walk so I like to take full advantage of it 😉
LikeLike
We know Spring is near or already here because our garden is a carpet of crocuses and snowdrops (love them) and yesterday I spotted bees 🙂
LikeLike
Wow – it must be very a colorful garden indeed! Bees are a great sign that Spring is well on the way 😉
LikeLike
I love dragonflies. Sometimes we are surrounded by a profusion of them . . . they always make me smile. And you did a great job with your “wave and shoot” photography!
LikeLike
LOL! It’s the first ‘wave and shoot’ photography I’ve tried. I had too, I only had one hand (the other was holding my glass of wine) – we’ve got to get our priorities right 😀
LikeLike
Do they eat people? Nah–they’re probably herbivores. Yeah, that’s right.
LikeLike
They might carry people away, Jacqui! 😀
LikeLike
Just a couple of leaves on the trees turning orange and yellow 🙂
LikeLike
That’s nice and probably a good sign 😉
LikeLike
Dianne those are GREAT pictures. What colour were the dragonflies? In Turkey they can be red – a deep, jewelled, beautiful red. I was amazed because I’d only known green ones.
Down south the sign of changing season for me, firstly, is the light. It’s become less bright, more autumnal. In terms of insects, hmmm. Not so attuned. But there was an enormous cockroach crawling in and out of my coffee percolator this morning. I’m thinking it was the same one I’d seen scuttle across the carpet a couple of weeks ago, and ignored. I got it with a paper serviette and put it outside. I know I should have killed it, but couldn’t squash it (for gooby reasons, not Buddhist ones!)
Have a great weekend.
LikeLike
I’ve never seen a red one, Jenny, but I could imagine they would be spectacular! These ones were dark with very bright green/blue eyes.
We get cockroaches as well, but I’m surprised we don’t have a lot of them in the RUC (maybe they’re yet to breed to epic proportions as everything we’ve put in is new). I can’t squash them either – yick, too messy!
You have a great weekend as well 😉
LikeLike
When I was a kid in the garden of my house was very common to see dragonflies, but I do not see that many years more.
LikeLike
That’s a shame – dragonflies are lovely! 😀
LikeLike
Dianne, I actually love dragonflies. I think it’s my totem animal, in fact. Oh, who knows. I think they’re really magical. In the 80s this weekend here in sunny California. Spring has sprung!
LikeLike
YAY – I love it when Spring has sprung! I think dragonflies are magical as well, they’re truly beautiful creatures 😀
LikeLike
Dianne I adore your shots on the dragon flies, we had a few come out after the rain and i wondered why. I hope we are not in for another ten year drought as I wondered where the dragonflies emerged from in such great numbers. There are some bugs I like and some Id rather not meet…it is funnel web season only one…..so far…..but they seem to be out all year around these days….
LikeLike
I lived with funnel webs when we had a place at the mid north coast – yikes, that’s a creature I really don’t like to see on my wall or floor 😯
Fingers crossed there is no drought coming xxx
LikeLike
A) I love that you were having your glass of wine while walking.
B) I used to be terrified of dragonflies when I was a kid. They would land on the patio while I was in my lawn chair and I would freak and run in the house until they flew away (I’m totally over that fear now; now, I view them as flying jewels due to the vibrant colours and metallic-like sheen I’ve seen on some varieties).
C) I’m still not over that glass of wine while walking. The things you can do when you live in the country (imagine me trying to take a stroll down Main Street with my glass o’bubbly). 😎
D) One of the best indicators of the coming of spring in Vancouver is the emergence of crocuses. Around here, they are either purple, yellow, or white. I was wondering the other week when I would start seeing the crocuses popping up, only to look down and see they were already like 4 inches high! I guess I wasn’t paying attention to the signs of spring – at least not the natural ones. There’s always Daylight Savings Time, but don’t even get me started on how much I despise that….
LikeLike
It’s usually about ‘wine time’ when the dogs need a walk, so I love filling my glass and strolling! 😀 Plus, it’s thirsty work… LOL 😀
Dragonflies do seem a bit terrifying when you’re young because they can be big and they’re not shy and will land on you, but I’m so glad you’re over that fear now 😉
Crocuses are beautiful and I can imagine your entire neighborhood will be filled with loads of color very soon! 😀
As far as Daylight Savings goes – I hate it too, but we don’t get it where I’m living now which is absolutely wonderful!
LikeLike
Yay, a non-poisonous, civilized Aussie critter lol. I have always loved dragonflies. With our floods last summer, we ended up with a ton of dragonflies at the end of the wet season (which seemed terminally long). They ranged from small red and blue damselflies, to the behemoths pictured here. At an outdoor wedding I was second shooting last summer, they actually brought in additional dragonflies (didn’t know you could ‘import’) to help keep the mosquito population away from the guests. It was very pretty. Now if I could only import something to eat the darned wasps – also experiencing a boom year.
As for signs of spring in Calgary – there is water appearing through the snowy footprints of the dog, mud everywhere, and 8 million ‘doggy bombs’ reappearing in the back yard where they’ve been entombed in ice for 3 months! 😀 Unlike those nasty Vancouver folks (kidding Janna), we won’t be seeing anything resembling a crocus for another 6 weeks – let alone blossom trees, snowdrops or tulips! Our lilacs bloom at the end of May – at the earliest!
LikeLike
I didn’t know dragonflies ate mosquitoes – now they really are my best friends! I don’t think I have to import any, but I might look at that next year if they’re scarce 😉
Frozen doggy bombs – that cracked me up! Too bad they don’t just ‘vaporize’ beneath the snow 😀
LikeLike
I enjoy watching flights of dragonflies.
LikeLike
They can change direction in an instant! Very clever little creatures 😀
LikeLike
You were really quick on the draw. 🙂 Lovely patches of blue sky, and hope you’re right about the season change. We’re going into autumn here in South Africa, and the humidity at the coast is lessening somewhat. 🙂
LikeLike
We’re heading into Autumn in Australia as well, Sylvia. I’m looking forward to it because it’s been a very wet and humid summer 😉
LikeLike
Spring for us is right around the corner. I can’t wait, it’s been a brutal winter!
LikeLike
I’ve been hearing about the bitter winter and the polar vortex – Spring will be a beautiful relief for you 😀
LikeLike
Oh I love dragonflies! I remember a couple of times being followed by one for a while, it really felt like it wanted to connect, say hi, have company, flitting and flying back and forth, because I walk slowly and I was walking even more slowly due to being mesmerized by this tiny, speedy bright coloured creature! Sure, I’d LOVE to take a ride on the back of a dragonfly!!! Hugs, H xxxx
LikeLike
They remind me of little fairies flitting about, Harula – there’s something incredibly magical about them! 😀
Hugs back at you my dear friend xxx
LikeLike
Wow, how incredible must that have been! 😀 And you managed to snap some great pics.
Things are starting to brighten up here, spring might have finally sprung, I really hope so 😀
LikeLike
That heavy blanket of winter seems to be lifting in the northern hemisphere – this is great news! Enjoy the Spring 😀
LikeLike
You walk the dogs while drinking wine – fantastic!! Another reason why I just love you, Dianne.
Spring is shyly approaching the NYC area, the snow is melting, brown patches of grass are appearing, bulb tips are starting to break ground, birds are chirping their romantic songs….
LikeLike
Oh this sounds like a very positive sign, Letizia! Spring has sprung! 😀
It’s thirsty work walking all those dogs! LOL 😉
LikeLike
First question… did you spill any wine?
We have these flying around all year….
LikeLike
I didn’t spill a drop, Rob 😀
You’re lucky you have them all year – I just love them 😀
LikeLike
Those dragonflies are enormous aren’t they! At least they look so from your photos. You have such diverse and magnificent creatures out there Dianne. Keep snapping…
LikeLike
Some of them were huge! I could hear them before I saw them coming – what a beautiful sound it was 😀
LikeLike
Daffodils before dragonflies, or any other flying, walking, crawling or swimming insects.
LikeLike
LOL – dragonflies are just beautiful (and they don’t sting or bite and that’s always a plus around these parts) 😀
LikeLike
Yes, signs of spring are everywhere here, from the crocuses to insects to weeds (I could do without the last).
LikeLike
Ah – weeds, my nemesis! The crocuses are lovely and colorful and a great indication of Spring, Char 😀
LikeLike
For a scatter-shooting of pictures, these are excellent. Dragonflies are elusively beautiful, delicate and whimsical, and I have several friends whose tattoos are of dragonflies because they have strong mythical and mystical beliefs in the properties of dragonflies. I just think they’re beautiful.
LikeLike
There certainly is something very magical about dragonflies, Marylin. It felt wonderful having them follow me (almost like living in a fairyland!) 😀
LikeLike
I love dragonflies (and the word) , I love most creatures but probably not All the ones you get 😉
The sign of season change we’re getting in the big smoke is simply that it’s 30 degrees one day; cold and crazy thunder storms the next…just like a box of chocolates…
LikeLike
LOL! I love that box of chocolates saying 😀 I’ve been watching the weather down south where you are and it has been a wild ride at times. Stay safe and enjoy Autumn before that cold sets in 😉
LikeLike
Have been lucky to be inside watching the worst of it 🙂
LikeLike
Great technique! I might try it with butterflies, Dianne. They always seem to see me coming 🙂
LikeLike
Great idea, Jo – just hold it up an fire away. That’s then beauty of cameras now – you can just delete the ones you don’t want 😀
LikeLike
One of the unfortunate signs that spring is on its way is the increased roadkill, particularly animals that were hibernating and are now looking for food, such as skunks. On a positive note, squirrels have gotten scampier and the birds are making more appearances. I love dragonflies, and I can’t wait to see them this summer!
LikeLike
Awww – I hate seeing creatures on the side of the road – and I hate it even more when they run out in front of me or a bird flies into my windscreen (which happened last week) 😦
But seeing them come out (I’ve never seen a squirrel and would love to!) after such a long and bitter winter is a wonderful thing 😀
LikeLike
Diane, only you could juggle a glass of wine & get pictures that incredible! Well done our friend. That one pic the dragonfly looks like a plane! And the sky above your part of the world is spectacular!!! Your post reminded me of a great movie I watched with Kevin Costner called….DRAGONFLY! Phenomenal movie. Great post!! Sharing now. 😉
LikeLike
I’ll have to see that movie Dragonfly 😀
Thanks so much – I’m so glad you like the pics and not a drop of wine was spilled in the making of this 😉
LikeLike
awesome shots of dragonflies – ( I came here to your blog post through a link on a different blog). And the story about “how” you grabbed the shot is just great (not a drop spilled).
Lastly, sorry to hear about the tic on your son being removed the wrong way (I read that in the above comment).
again, fun post.
~y.
LikeLike
Thanks so much for coming by, Y! I’m so glad you enjoyed your visit here. I just went over to your page and love it! 😀
LikeLike
Thanks for the photos. These phones are amazing. As for season change, we have had the coldest winter in a long time, and today it is minus 17 C. Usually on St. P day people are walking around in T shirts, and sometimes shorts. This will probably still be the case, but inspired by warm spirits rather than warm winds!
LikeLike
Did you say minus 17 C? Good grief, I’d perish in that temperature! I get cold when it hits +20 C here!
I hope St. Ps day went well in your neck of the woods and you stayed warm 😀
LikeLike
So this post brought up an odd childhood memory. When I was younger my friend used to collect dead dragonflies. Thinking back now it was really an odd thing to collect. But because she had so many I could really see them up close and they really are fascinating creatures. Their wings are so thin and delicate and they are all so many different colors. Really interesting creatures.
LikeLike
Their amazing creatures and almost have a mystical fairy-like quality. There are thousands here and I hadn’t thought of searching around for the dead ones to take a better look at them, but I’m going to now 😀
LikeLike
Even though your critter shots always contain some ick, you do a phenomenal job capturing them. Though not all the way, the snow is finally melting! And, the sun is actually warm rather than being a tease. Yippee!!!
LikeLike
Sending loads of sunshine your way, Britt! 😀
I’m glad you like the pics – there’s something quite magical about dragonflies 😉
LikeLike
The cherry blossoms are falling in Cupertino. The trees look about the same size as those dragonflies. 😮
{{{hugs]}} Kozo
LikeLike
LOL! Big trees 😉
I just love cherry blossoms – sounds dreamy 😀
{{{hugs]}}
LikeLike
Well, it’s SUPPOSED to be Spring in three days, but last night we got 8.7 inches of snow! Natives were saying today they can’t remember such a big storm this late. Lucky us for getting to experience it. 😉
I love the dragonflies, and they’re just further proof that you are a creature magnet! So many possible characters you have around you that can populate your stories. 🙂
LikeLike
I really hope Spring happens for you soon, JM! It ill be lovely to see all those flowers and creatures emerge from the ground once it’s over 😀
The dragonflies were such a pleasant surprise 😉
LikeLike
Beautiful! About 2 years ago, I realized there were three dragonflies frequenting my backyard and snapped tons of pictures.
I love dragonflies! Thanks for sharing 😀
LikeLike
They are very magical creatures indeed, Daphne! 😀
LikeLike
My God, Dianne, Those dragon flies look like pilot-free drones!
LikeLike
LOL – they might be! 😀
LikeLike
They be big!
LikeLike
That they be! Like birds lol 😉
LikeLike