Dragonfly Gala

We have hundreds of these on the ranch, and they were our inspiration in naming the place. 

They come in red, orange, gold, copper, green, blue and black.

Their wings and color patterns are unique as fingerprints.  

And they are friendly, often landing on our fingertips.

They sit on all kinds of surfaces. Their amazing eyes allow them to see 360 degrees in every direction. 

And the heat on this deck doesn't seem to be a problem. 

They also wait patiently as they are being photographed. 

After they emerge from our ponds, they have an approximate year long life span. 

The nymphs climb out of the water, shed their skin, and pump up their lacy wings. 

Then they serve us by eating mosquitoes all summer long. They provide excellent natural pest control. 

They co-exist beautifully with humans and frolic joyfully in the summer sun.

Like small helicopters, they can fly up, down, forward and backward. They usually dart and swoop gracefully. They love to stand on stems and sticks. 

Our land is full of hundreds of them and they are one of the great delights of summer.

I would love to capture a picture of them in flight, but they are fast, and it is difficult to follow them with a camera.

But I am content to meet them just this way. Their colors are so beautiful up close. 

On the tomato cage, or the decks, or the tall grasses.

Or riding a rocking chair.

Or meeting up on an outdoor rug. 

Or on an iron bench, conversing with an enormous grasshopper. 

Enjoying a summer day.

The Dragon-fly

By Alfred Lord Tennyson

Today I saw the dragon-fly

Come from the wells where he did lie.

An inner impulse rent the veil

Of his old husk: from head to tail

Came out clear plates of sapphire mail.

He dried his wings: like gauze they grew;

Thro’ crofts and pastures wet with dew

A living flash of light he flew.