22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Love is in the air for two dragonflies
I was near a pond when I noticed something unusual in the air - what looked to be two red meadowhawk dragonflies that appeared to be stuck together. Soon they landed on a dried lily bud. It then dawned on me that they were mating. The red dragonfly is the male. The mating process can take anywhere from a few seconds to several hours. These two seemed to be in no hurry to leave that bud.
Photo Detail
Date Taken: | 08.2024 |
Date Uploaded: | 12.2024 |
Photo Location: | Auburn, Washington, United States of America |
Camera: | Canon EOS 5D Mark III |
Copyright: | © Claudia Cooper |