Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

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