I think I've figured out the difference between dragonflies and damselflies. I've also decided that my garden must be a damselfly magnet as look what showed up yesterday:
I'm still finding my sea legs (so to speak) in learning to identify them but could this be the Common Blue Damselfly? Gorgeous coloring, that's for sure. The brilliant blue on his/her body is what caught my eye and drew me in for closer inspection. Of course, as soon as I saw what it was, I quickly ran to get my camera. Since posting that first damselfly photo, I've been told that damselflies rest with their wings folded while dragonflies rest with their wings out. That seems an easy way to distinguish the two, doesn't it? I'm just glad they are finding my garden attractive.
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August 18, 2009
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Lovely damsel fly!!
Posted by: Janet | August 18, 2009 at 01:38 PM
I was told the same thing about identifying them. Yours looks like it was carved from turquoise stone with some onyx insets;) So beautiful.
Marnie
Posted by: Marnie | August 18, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Kathleen, you've got it! These are so pretty and just glitter in the sunlight. Great photo. :)
Posted by: Beckie | August 18, 2009 at 07:33 PM
What a great photo, Kathleen. Could that damselfly be resting on the back of a green dinosaur? Or a green elephant? Or... ;-)
Posted by: Shady Gardener | August 18, 2009 at 08:55 PM
PS - I'll bet Randy and Meg can help you out with dragonfly/damselfly ID! :-)
Posted by: Shady Gardener | August 18, 2009 at 08:56 PM
Lovely shot! Damselflies are among the most beautiful of insects, with their jewel-like colors. So graceful too.
Posted by: Sweet Bay | August 18, 2009 at 09:07 PM
Your photos are so good. Thanks for the up close of the blue damselfly. She is a beauty!
Posted by: Teresa~Gardening with Soule | August 18, 2009 at 09:10 PM
I think the coloring of the damselflies are so pretty. We get blue ones that look very similar to that one, but I don't know their "official" name.
Posted by: Catherine/gardenerprogress | August 18, 2009 at 10:25 PM
Oh wow, s/he looks so pretty against that green leaf! Great shot. :)
Posted by: Nancy Bond | August 18, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Wonderful damselfly...you are growing the right things to attract them :)
Follow the link to my poppies...
http://ourlittlecornerofparadise.blogspot.com/2009/08/ephemeral-poppies.html
Posted by: Wildlife Gardener | August 19, 2009 at 05:29 AM
Oh that is interesting about the wings. I love to identify insects in the garden...well except the nasty ones like yellow jackets, those I just like to squish!!! Kim
Posted by: the inadvertent farmer | August 19, 2009 at 09:55 AM