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Flame Skimmer Dragonfly – Camera Critters #26

Flame Skimmer Dragonfly photo by Brigitte Jordan

This was taken at our pond as this dragonfly just emerged out of its naiad (nymph) stage the day before.

The Nymph’s Final Moult Into An Adult

According to Wikipedia, these larger dragonflies can live underwater in the nymph stage for 5 years!  Many of them later become bird food.  Many more great critter photos at Camera Critters

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Cathy October 4, 2008, 11:52 am

    Fabulous photos, Larry!

  • Carletta October 4, 2008, 12:40 pm

    Fantastic images dull of clear crisp detail!

    Carlettas last blog post..Camera Critters: Fawn Update and The Bucks

  • Carletta October 4, 2008, 2:18 pm

    I was pretty sure I had been here when I saw your comment on mine but I came to make sure. Glad I did- it should be
    FULL of clear crisp detail.

    So glad you visited.

    Carlettas last blog post..Camera Critters: Fawn Update and The Bucks

  • Amber Coakley October 4, 2008, 3:58 pm

    Hi Larry.This is so cool to see a dragonfly in this stage. I love to watch the dragonflies at my frog pond, but have never seen this state. Maybe I haven’t been looking closely enough? I have also seen many of the nymphs as I occasionally have to skim out the string algae. I always look for the nymphs and make sure I put them back! Thanks for sharing this!

    Amber Coakleys last blog post..Passionfruit!

  • Anna October 4, 2008, 6:15 pm

    Beautiful pictures! I never knew the dragonflies could live underwater in the nymph stage for so long. Thanks for sharing.

    Annas last blog post..Camera Critters (#26)

  • marie October 4, 2008, 8:21 pm

    wow, these are great photos!

    maries last blog post..Camera-Critters October 4 2008

  • Larry October 4, 2008, 11:17 pm

    Amber – I do the same thing. If you look closely in the early summer, when you first start seeing the dragonflies, you should be able to find them right around the pond.

    Anna – I didn’t know that either until I researched it! Isn’t this a great way to learn?

    Marie – Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Brigitte thanks you too 😉

  • Reader Wil October 5, 2008, 5:45 am

    This is interesting to see how a dragonfly developes from nymph into an adult insect. The photos are very good!

    Reader Wils last blog post..Charley and his mates…

  • Heather October 5, 2008, 6:38 am

    That is very cool. I have never seen the Nymph stage before.

    Heathers last blog post..Camera Critters #8

  • Larry October 5, 2008, 6:51 am

    Wil – Thanks… The crocodile photos are awesome!

    Heather – Thanks for stopping by. We see the nymphs all over the place in the pond in all different stages. Pretty cool!

  • babooshka October 5, 2008, 8:27 am

    Absolutley amazing macros.

    babooshkas last blog post..IS THIS THE MODDEY DOO OR A WIZARD? – CRITTERS SUNDAY

  • Larry October 5, 2008, 2:59 pm

    Hi Babooshka, Thanks for the comment. I loved your Moddey Doo!

  • Lisa's Chaos October 5, 2008, 4:09 pm

    How exciting to see the fellow emerge! I didn’t know their name but have seen some through the summer. 🙂 Fun series (can two be a series?) 🙂

    Lisa’s Chaoss last blog post..Fuzzy Wuzzy One

  • Thomas October 7, 2008, 6:58 am

    The 2nd image is just incredible

    Thomass last blog post..Birding in India – # 3

  • Larry October 7, 2008, 8:32 am

    Hi Lisa, I think you can call two a series! You have a beautiful blog there too!

    Hi, Thomas, Thanks for the comment and thanks for stopping by! I love your photographic trip through India!

  • Misty Dawn October 7, 2008, 6:25 pm

    WOW! These are truly fantastic photos! This is really awesome!

    Misty Dawns last blog post..Heads or Tails *Black Or White*

  • Larry October 7, 2008, 10:30 pm

    Hi Misty, Thank you very much and thanks for the great meme!