Photos / Sounds

Observer

stevenw12339

Date

January 4, 2024 01:53 AM CST

Photos / Sounds

Observer

flossiepip

Date

February 21, 2022 07:23 PM NZDT

Description

Tiny as, about 1mm

Photos / Sounds

What

Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii)

Observer

tmurr1225

Date

August 11, 2017 08:01 AM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Racket-tailed Emerald (Dorocordulia libera)

Observer

brandonwoo

Date

June 19, 2020 12:57 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)

Observer

briangooding

Date

May 20, 2007 10:27 AM CDT

Description

Male Pachydiplax longipennis being eaten by Opheodrys aestivus

Like a lot of these predation shots I heard the irregular beat of frantic, chafing wings before locating the scene.

I was taken aback when I first realized what was happening. That quickly wore off though and I was on the ground trying to get as close as possible without disrupting or having any meaningful influence on the situation.

Two great predators. In the end the dasher broke free and clumsily flew off (though he was lucky there were birds looking for an easy catch). I can't say for sure whether or not I played any part in the snake not succeeding in this struggle. If it were venomous I think (though I don't know if venomous snakes spend their venom on dragonflies or if they specialize in more protein-rich options) the dasher would've been done for.

But, the snake maneuvering his jaws to clamp down on the dragonfly gave some room for escape--especially since his jaws were over the thorax and wings, which were already beating trying to escape.

Tags

Photos / Sounds

What

Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata)

Observer

johndeitsch

Date

May 31, 2019 10:55 AM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

Observer

johndeitsch

Date

April 3, 2020 11:19 AM EDT