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Oh, de Odanata at Midewin

All those years of birdwatching? Turns out birds may only have been a gateway drug. These days I can’t get enough of Odanata. Dragonflies and damseflies.

There are about 5,000 species of Odanata worldwide, approximately half the number of bird species. But dragonflies have been around for nearly twice as long as birds, dating back more than 250 million years.

In Illinois, there are 99 known species of dragonflies and damselflies; about one-third the total number found in North America. With the record-setting rainfall this spring, the air at Midewin is teeming with more species than I can count today. They are devilishly quick on the wing, but every once in a while they take a rest from their voracious feeding or territory defending, allowing my camera a taste of their rich colors and stained glass wings.

Most dragonfly names have quite the dramatic flair. This male widow skimmer is distinct for its white and dark wing patches, combined with a dusky, bluish-grey abdomen (or tail.)
Most dragonfly names have quite the dramatic flair. This male widow skimmer is distinct for its white and dark wing patches, combined with a dusky, bluish-grey abdomen (or tail.)
Emerald Jewelwing. The name says it all about this damselfly that flits like a butterfly.
Emerald Jewelwing. The name says it all about this damselfly that flits like a butterfly.
This eastern ringtail is notable for its blue eyes. green striped thorax, and rusty ovipositor (the tip of its tail.)
This eastern ringtail is notable for its blue eyes. green striped thorax, and rusty ovipositor (the tip of its tail.)
One of the smallest dragfonflies in North America, this eastern amberwing appears to have learned to smile for the camera.
One of the smallest dragfonflies in North America, this eastern amberwing appears to have learned to smile for the camera.
If you're going to hang out in wetlands, you might as well enjoy the pickerel frogs, as well.
If you’re going to hang out in wetlands, you might as well enjoy the pickerel frogs, as well.
And green frogs.
And green frogs.
Even monster tadpoles that will morph into bullfrogs, which eat just about anything they can catch, including dragonflies.
Even monster tadpoles that will morph into bullfrogs, which eat just about anything they can catch, including dragonflies.
Bullfrogs are not the only threat to dragonflies. This eastern pondhawk is not above eating other dragonflies, even fellow pondhawks.
Bullfrogs are not the only threat to dragonflies. This eastern pondhawk is not above eating other dragonflies, even fellow pondhawks.

 

Compared to the males, female twelve-spotted skimmers lack the white wing patches that alternate between the dark patches. But the yellow side stripes on their bodies (thoraxes) tend to be more distinct.
Compared to the males, female twelve-spotted skimmers lack the white wing patches that alternate between the dark patches. But the yellow side stripes on their bodies (thoraxes) tend to be more distinct.

Are you looking at me? Are you looking at me? (Click on the photo for a close up view.)

Are you looking at me? Are you looking at me? (Click on the photo for a close up view.)
Are you looking at me? Are you looking at me?
OK. Full disclosure. I've long had a jones for dragonflies. This window skimmer lives year round in my home.
OK. Full disclosure. I’ve long had a jones for dragonflies. This window skimmer lives year round in my home.
After all, if dragonfly wings are nature's stained glass, it only makes sense to honor them by incorporating dragonflies into some of the stained glass artworks I've crafted for my home.
After all, if dragonfly wings are nature’s stained glass, it only makes sense to honor them by incorporating dragonflies into some of the stained glass artworks I’ve crafted for my home.