08/09/2026
Pond Life at DA - Dragonflies!
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Did you know that Dragonflies lineage dates back 300 million years! They are the oldest flying insect and belong to the Odonata order.
💜 Their huge eyes give them nearly 360-degree vision.
💜 They can fly forward, backward, hover, and reach speeds up to 30 to 35 miles per hour.
💜 They catch insects prey mid-air with a 95% success rate.
Their lifecycle is tied to water. They lay eggs in fresh water. Nymphs live underwater for one to five years and then crawl out and shed their skin to become an adult dragonfly. See last photo, a nymph shell from early July.
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As a young child of maybe 8, I have a clear memory of sitting on a dock on the lake at Algonac, MI with my Mom and young brothers and watching a dragonfly emerge from it's shell. My Mom later typed up that nature miracle on her IBM typewriter! Funny how some memories can last and stay with you and the reason why I take dozens of photos in the hopes of one clear shot!
I believe the photos are all of Darners & Skimmers!
What do you think about Dragonflies? Come take a stroll at DA, see what you can see!
