The Ark In Space

The Obelisk Position - Dragonfly Thermoregulation

Friday, 12 June 2026

This is a fascinating photograph, not only for the obelisk Position that the dragonfly has positioned itself in, but because of the name of the species – the Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina). It is native to North America and the West Indies. It gets its name because when it flies, these colours look a bit like traditional Halloween decorations (orange and black), especially when it perches with its wings held out like little flags. Image

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Wait... the obelisk position? Here is the same dragonfly from a different angle. Basically, it’s doing a handstand (like the blue dasher above) and there are a few reasons why it might exhibiting this strange behavior.

The Love Bugs

Wednesday, 30 December 2020

The diversity of insects on this planet is astonishing and should be a source of continual wonder for us all. It can only be hope that these incredible creatures can be left to survive and continue their species for many millennia to come. Of course they do everything we do - sometimes with much more aplomb! You may think this is Mother Nature at is rawest and you would be right, but ready or not - here we go!

Dragonfly Delight: A Life Cycle in Superb Macrophotography

Monday, 23 July 2018

The sight of a dragonfly on the wing is one of the more remarkable that nature has to offer. Here, with the help of some astounding macrophotography, we take a look at the life cycle of the dragonfly as well as its remarkable and unusual physiology.

Image Credit Flickr User JerryHsu

Image Credit Flickr User Vicki's Nature

The gorgeous colors of a dragonfly – these majestic insects of the air, have been a source of inspiration – and fear – to people for thousands of years. The order to which they belong is called Odonata. Many people regularly go ‘oding’ just as others go birding or butterfly collecting. Their life is cycle as unusual as their looks are striking.

Dragonfly: Award Winning Documentary

Sunday, 26 November 2017

If you have ever gawped at the sight of a dragonfly whizzing past you in all its colorful aerodynamic glory, then you will enjoy this film immensely. It has some of the best macrophotography of the dragonfly in all its stages that I have ever seen. Plus it answers all the questions you might have about the life cycle of this ancient creature which has survived virtually unchanged for millions of years.

However, the part that I found most fascinating was the part of the film which describes how dragonflies live most of their lives as nymphs and that a number of different species can live side by side during this stage (even though they don’t mind the off foray in to cannibalism).

One thing I certainly did not know is that during this period of their lives they have a lower jaw which they can extend suddenly and swiftly, like a hydraulic ramp, to catch prey that would otherwise be just out of their reach. It is quite a sight.

The amazing facts about dragonflies do not stop there and after they come in to their brief adult phase each species seems to have its own interesting variation on the mating game. The documentary takes us throughout the year to the inevitable demise of the adults. However, below the placid waters of British ponds a vicious fight for survival continues.

Created by Andy Holt of Wild Life Lens, Dragonfly has been awarded Best Documentary at the BIAFF (British International Amateur Film Festival) 2014 Film Festival.

Watch a Dragonfly Nymph Shed its Skin

Sunday, 12 October 2014

Although the final transformation in to a dragonfly is perhaps the most spectacular, a nymph will have moulted 12-15 times before it emerges from the water.

Andy Holt captured on of these moults – and it is an incredibly absorbing process to watch. Note particularly the wing buds splitting and raising at the outset of the moult. This is not something you see every day!

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