Meadowhawks in September

"As a matter of fact the insects are the only conspicuous creatures

indubitably holding their own against man. When he matches wits with

any of the lower mammals they always lose. But when he matches his

wit against the instinct and vitality of the insects he merely holds his own,

at best. An individual insect is no match for an individual man. But

most species of insects have done very well at holding their own as

a species against him." --Joseph Wood Krutch, The Great Chain of Life

White-faced Meadowhawk
Photo credit: Whitney McCann

Look in grassy meadows and marshy banks for the conspicuous, camera-friendly meadowhawks. The Yellow-legged Meadowhawk, Sympetrum vicinum, pictured mating below, flies into November as long as there are no hard freezes. The White-faced Meadowhawk, Sympetrum obtrusum, pictured left, has the white frowning face that distinguishes it from its relations. Both lay eggs near shore in fall, where the eggs wait for the spring's rising waters that drag them under for the dragonfly's next stage as aquatic larva.

Wheel formation mating, Yellow-legged Meadowhawks
Photo credit: Whitney McCann