Twelve Spot Skimmer ~ This beautiful large dragonfly was flitting over the pond, lighting on the twigs, vying with others for resting spots above the water. They did not seem to mind the spider webs on the branches.
Green Dragonfly ~ I was surprised to find this bright green dragonfly in the shrubs near the pond in Colorado. I am still trying to ID him, but I did not find him in my California book, and will keep trying. I loved the detail on his wings, and the bright green color.
Female Common Whitetail Laying Eggs ~ While shooting the many dragonflies at the pond in Colorado, I witnessed a phenomenon I'd never seen before. This female Whitetail mated with the male, in flight, and immediately afterwards, she began hovering over the water, going up and down, dipping her tail into the water when she would go down. I believe she was laying eggs as she did this; the male who had mated with her would hover nearby, about a foot or so above her, while she laid the eggs. When she was done, they flew off and continued eating and resting. Very interesting. In this shot she is hovering near the surface of the water.