My World

…..more commonly known as a dragonfly are called a multitude of things depending on the area of the world and the culture. Here in the south they are known as snake doctors mostly because they are found around water and water in the deep south usually also has snakes. Some old myths say the insects helped snakes when they are injured. I’ve always been infatuated with these delicate unique winged creatures. One of my very first photographs so many years ago when I started my quest as a professional photographer was of a dragonfly. They seem so fearless as they preen and pose within touching distance. They are quite common to see on a daily basis during summer months living here in this hot humid area.

While aware that there is a vast variety of colors in the dragonfly family, the ones we see are always similar to each other with long blue green bodies and shimmering translucent large wings. So today I was shocked to see this unique to me variety. I was out in the garden enjoying our more normal summertime temperatures that have finally arrived and had left my phone inside. I saw him resting on a calla lily seed pod and was immediately drawn to his unusual color. I watched him for a few minutes and decided to get my phone in hopes he would still be there on my return. I didn’t think there was time to drag out my camera to get a finely detailed photo suitable for large print. So the phone camera would have to do.

This little guy had a red body and odd deep ruddy brown color on the back pair of wings making it look like he wore a saddle or skirt.

In retrospect, I should have taken the time to get my camera. He was quite comfortable posing for me once I returned. It never ceases to amaze me the variety and uniqueness of so many living creatures God graced on our world.