Hi again,
I think I found out how to make the dragonfly pics available to y'all. Let me know if it doesn't work.
Bridget

Here is a link that might be useful: purple dragonfly

Worked fine for me. Neat dragonfly! Don't think I've seen any down here--Lafayette--but I don't usually get to look at 'em that close. Seldom see them resting, except occasionally out the window. Dratted cats go after 'em if they get too close! (Don't think they catch any--I hope anyway.)

I didn't know they were rare. Something about my garden seems to be a dragonfly haven. I can't think of a color I haven't seen. And some are startling. Like copper and red, cobalt blue and lime green. The purple is beautiful too. I live in Ponchatoula. I'm going to be more observant.

Bridget,

Your dragonfly is actually a male Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea). It's widespread and common in Louisiana. Your description of the female is right-on for this species. She should have a white stripe down her "back." I'd say observe and enjoy (and keep your pond!). Right now, at least around Lafayette, they are hatching like crazy, so I've seen a lot of young ones (they look like females, but lack flanges on the thorax) around road-side ditches this past week. Take care,

Erik
Lafayette, LA

i think i have a photo of a purple one somewhere ... i'll try to find it and post

finally found the photo and uploaded ... taken in july in carencro

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1016224}}

I actually saw one in Houma for the first time today. Do you know where they came from or how rare they are? I was able to get a close picture of it. I'm not sure how to attach the picture to this message.

I've had red, blue, gold dragonflies at, our creek in the country, near Marble Falls, Texas. I just saw a purple dragonfly at our creek, late this morning. It was so beautiful....I wished I had my camera but I didn't take it with me. I'll try to take a pic if it's still there...this afternoon!

I just saw one in the morning in upstate New York. First time I see one.

For the first time in my life, I just saw a purple dragonfly, it was warm and had rained last night, also sunny. It was alone as far as I could see. This was up in Michigan.

We have them have in

I am in Lafayette Louisiana and I just saw your purple/pink dragonfly skim across my pooL. What a treat!!!

Yes! We have a new water garden that we started a few months ago - I‘ve only seen one, but it was almost a neon purple. I see lots of babies and medium sized dragon flies around the pond, but here lately I have seen some of the largest dragon flies I’ve ever seen.

I saw a purple dragonfly in South Carolina near Charleston. I live on a pond and only saw one. I was so excited i grabbed my phone to take a photo.

Hi I just saw one here today in Slidell, La!

I saw one at a park in Plant City Fl. Had to take a second look AND call someone else to witness. Lol. Beautiful!!