Male Widow Skimmer at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Canon R7, handheld, f10, 1/320, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
Earlier this month, I was thrilled to photograph and video my first-ever Widow Skimmer dragonfly while driving the auto tour route at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge.
Long before I became a bird photographer, I photographed dragonflies everywhere I found them. Fortunately, I could approach them closely on foot.
Dragonflies are still among my favorite photography subjects, and I adore them because of their shapes, colors, and beauty.
This male Widow Skimmer was perched in the grasses close to the edge of a dusty dirt road and didn’t seem to mind my presence at all. I took scores of photos of the dragonfly and then decided to create a video of him too.
During this video, the skimmer dragonfly can be seen using his forelegs to clean his head. Dragonflies can get mites, and I suspect they may use their legs to remove them from their heads.
Resting Widow Skimmer male in Oklahoma – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500mm, natural light
In another area of the refuge, I found more Widow Skimmers next to the road and stopped to photograph them too. This male was resting at the edge of a grassy area while others were hunting in flight.
I found more dragonflies that day that I have yet to identify. There are so many species here that are “new” to me and I am excited to see, observe, and photograph them all.
Birds are and will always be my main passion, but these “other things with wings” are so much fun for me. I can’t resist them!
Life is good.
Mia
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Wow! That’s a firstie for me. I had never heard of a Widow Skimmer dragonfly before this post. Your shots are fantastic! The color and detail in these pics is terrific. Even after following your photographic journey for all these years….you still amaze me. Thanks Mia.
Such a handsome dragonfly! Really enjoyed the preening video, Mia.
So appreciate the video, where we can see the skimmer breathing, hear the sounds of the wetland it is in.
I love to photo them also, yours are beautiful and the video so detailed. Thanks.