Dragonfly Days

While on a much-needed vacation in the Adirondacks, we took our son and his friend fishing at Rockwood Lake.  While they did their best to hook the “big one” in terms of pike and trout, I focused my Cannon Rebel SSL1 on something a bit smaller and no less elusive  – dragonflies. There were only two of them that afternoon, but only one loved being photographed. He stayed around long enough for me to take a ton of photos.

I love the grip of his two front legs. It is amazing how they balance themselves with their wings.

 

I loved seeing the delacate wings and the detailed features on his eyes and legs.
His coloring reminded me of the fresh blueberries we had for breakfast and the wild ones I saw in the woods as we hiked to the lake.
His wings remind me of pieces of stained glass before colors are added. But he is so pretty that no coloring is needed.
I love the contrast of his delicate wings, his dashadow and the rough bark of the tree.
This one decided to join in the fun, but only stayed long enough for me to get this one shot.
light blue body
When he moved into the light, his whole body and wings took on a different color scheme. The lighter blue was unexpected.
I love the grip of his two front legs and how still he was as I walked around him and snapped shot after shot.

 

Two days after this dragonfly experience, we took a trip to the Wild Center in Tupper Lake. The drive from our cabin was long, but well worth the trip. The newly opened Wild Walk was quite an experience and the teens loved their time in the spiderweb.  I loved my time walking around the pond and lake taking more pictures of dragonflies and damselflies. 

I was surprised at how the flower and bee showed up in this photo while I was totally focused on my red winged friend.
I love the delicate way this red dragonfly hangs on to the reed.
I love the delicate way this red dragonfly hangs on to the reed.
What is more classic than a dragonfly on a lilypad?
What is more classic than a dragonfly on a lilypad?
The combination of strong and delicate features on dragonflies makes them endlessly fascinating to watch.
The combination of strong and delicate features on dragonflies makes them endlessly fascinating to watch.
The damselflies moved so fast I had a hard time getting even one shot of them. This is the best I could do. Do you see the difference in the way the damselfly lands? Notice how the wings are folded and not spread open for balance.
The damselflies moved so fast I had a hard time getting even one shot of them. This is the best I could do. Do you see the difference in the way the damselfly lands? Notice how the wings are folded and not spread open for balance.

I got pretty good at spotting the difference between the dragons and dames. I kept looking for them in the small pond behind our cabin (which was amazing and the most relaxing and upscale way to camp) at Camp Goraga’s Moose Cabin near Lake Caroga. On our second to last day of vacation I got the shots below.

This damselfly was easier to get a shot of right by the pond behind our cabin.
This damselfly was easier to get a shot of right by the pond behind our cabin.
The dots on his wings were bold and beautiful.
The dots on his wings were bold and beautiful.
The only one I was able to catch in flight. The shadow is a nice contrast on the rock below his beating wings.

Dragonflies can be harbingers and symbols of change, “change in the perspective of self realization; and the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and understanding of the deeper meaning of life” (source: www.dragonfly-site.com).  I sure hope this is true. ; the last few months have been very stressful and some major changes at work. I hope my dragonfly days are signs of good in the changes that have recently happened and will come in the next few months.

Interested in learning more about dragonflies? Watch the National Geographic video below:

http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/short-film-showcase/the-secret-world-of-dragonflies

All photos © 2015 Lisa D’Adamo-Weinstein – lisadw.wordpress.com

Published by lisadw

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Personally, I'm a 50-something member of "Generation X", a basketball/track & field mom, a coffee lover, a chocolate-aholic, an arts and media associate professor, a photographer, a writer, an artist, and a digital storyteller. Professionally, I currently am a faculty member at SUNY Empire State University.

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