I noticed yesterday that there were several critters flying about. They looked like, what we call, dragon fly, but the most vivid, beautiful color of blue. Couldn't get them on camera. From what I can see in your photo, it looks like the same critter, different color.

Dragonflies are predators? Do you have a pond or some water source to attract them?

They are beautiful.

Dragonflies are predatory from the moment they emerge as larvae until the time they die ... pure carnivores ... or should I say insectivores.

Dragonfly larvae live in water, but once they take wing, they only need it again to lay their eggs. The Kern River cuts through BKF creates several lakes and ponds as it feels its way out into the San Joaquin Valley.

I had a visitor like that back in June.
Was able to get a nice closeup.
Check out my post in the Rose Gallery.

Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Dragonfly

I get those blue ones, too, as well as {{gwi:550101}} ones (Cyclops! LOL) and {{gwi:550103}} ones. We have a pond, but we're also about 1/4 mile from the Sacramento River. We get these swarms in the field across from us, and it's truly amazing to behold!

I've never had the "pleasure" of seeing a dragonfly nymph, but I've heard they have a serious bite. I keep my hands out of the pond. :D

Brenda

Great Pictures!

I just gotta get a better digital camera, that will do Macro Photography. This Canon A540 PowerShot is a nice thing to have for instant photos, but ... it has its shortcomings. EOS?

I understand the EOS will support all of Canon's regular cameral lenses - yes?

Finally, here's my excuse to show some cool picture that I took of a visiting dragonfly this spring. Glad to know they are carnivores.

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Here are a few of the types that visit our pond...

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One species flies in "squadrons" over our backyard each late summer (scores of dragonflies at any given time). I like to think that no mosquito can get by these efficient eating machines when they're in formation.

Mike

Mike,

What is that strange plant your dragonflies are landing on?

Looks like horse tail reed to me. Penny

Common Horsetail it is... Equisetum arvense. Also known as scouring rush because it was once used to clean pots and pans (lots of silica contained in it's tissues). It also has purported medicinal properties.

It's an ancient non-flowering plant that giant dragonflies of the Permian age may have alighted on millions of years ago!

But it can become invasive in the garden. I have mine in a plastic container sunk in my pond to keep it in check.

Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: Horsetails

I always find a few dragonfly nymphs when I clean out my pot ponds in the spring. They look like waterlogged grasshoppers. I always keep my distance, since I also have heard they can bite. Sue

I thought those were Horsetail Rush. I haven't seen them in a long time, since I moved out west. I recently found some strange plant growing on a rock in my patio garden strip and it reminded me of them, but it is not one.

That red dragonfly is the best!

I have a dragonfly similar to the first picture patrolling my backyard as well. It has probably been there for over a month now. And it always perches on the same plant stake every time.

It does not even seem to fear humans as it stays there and only flies away when I am only a couple of feet away. Then it comes back when I leave the area.

I'm not sure what prey it is hunting, but it looks like it has plenty to hunt here since it has not left yet.

I was out messing around by the pond this morning and found this...

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I can understand your reluctance to get too close to the nymphs Sue; they're pretty scary looking. Even though I'd never guarantee that they won't bite, I've moved a couple dozen by hand when cleaning our pond over the years. They seem pretty placid towards humans...

Mike

Wonderful pictures, everyone, thank you. We have them here, but I think the Koi get all the nymphs in the pond.

A less fierce looking visitor ...

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It's a bad picture. The guy kept flitting around and these digital cameras, while they let you take on the spot pics, aren't much good for macro and they don't have sun hoods, so you can't sometimes see what you are shooting if the sun is on the view screen. :(

I'm here in Bakersfield also,
I've been seeing (luckily) more and more dragonflies and praying mantis in my yard. If only I could convince my cats to leave them alone. I wonder how the West Nile mesquito eradication effects the dragonfly nymphs?

glad they are predators,
-Ethan