Dragonflies 1

Female Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa), "Centered"

I've become even more obsessed with photographing dragonflies over the years. They're so magical to watch, though they're fearsome predators, too. Now that I've restarted my blog, I have a place to start posting all the photos I've taken:-) This is the first group, all taken in 2016. I still have more to edit! It's nice to have so many pictures, though, because I really miss seeing them in winter. I have plenty of other bugs and things to post, too. I don't think I'll be running out of photos any time soon... I try to id correctly, but if I have anything wrong, please let me know. I belong to a fantastic group on Facebook, featuring Odonata from all around the world, and I've been learning a lot: Dragonflies & Damselflies (you have to join to see posts). It's cool to see how many people are fascinated with these intricate creatures!

Male Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor), I'm always amazed when I do catch an in-flight shot!

Male Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata), what a face:-)

Male Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida), I can't resist damselflies, either.

Male Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis), "Balanced"

Male Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)

Male Gray Sanddragon (Progomphus borealis) one of my most unusual finds this year - have a whole series of him eating.

Male Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor), "Persevere" - tattered but still gorgeous.

Female Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum), probably the easiest dragonfly for me to photograph.

Male Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata), and one hardest for me to catch, usually in the air and very wary when perched.

How Long is Too Long?

It's been almost four years since my last post here. Is it too late to revive my blog? The few times I've visited it, I've missed it and remembered how much I enjoyed blogging. Yet, time has flown by, and it just never seemed to be right for restarting it.

Bee-atific

I pulled it up today to look for something, and asked myself, when would be the right time? Who cares if anyone else reads it? Maybe I just need to start writing again, and see where it leads. So, here I am with no real idea of what to post, but with the urge to post something:-)

Barn Owl Sculpture Wall Hanging

The past four years have had ups and downs, like most people. The down period was pretty hard, and took a while to move on from, but one foot in front of the other... I'm still photographing nature, my mom is still sculpting, and I even created our own website almost a year ago: Nature Visions' Boutique It's a work in progress, but I love it! I do have a blog there that I've started posting on. I've also started offering items for sale with my photos on them, which is huge for me; I've wanted to do that for years!

Blissful Butterfly Mug

Skye, our Persian, turned 16 this year. Sam turned nine, and Jack is ten+ (our dogs). All are doing well, though it's hard to believe how old we've all become - better than the alternative:-) Last month, we added a new member to our family, a 12-year-old spayed gray female Persian, from a shelter in northern Utah. Her name was Grandma, and is now Madame Grès, aka Maddie. She's a sweetheart who has taken everything in stride, which never ceases to amaze me. When the shelter got her, she was matted to the skin - her ear was tipped at some point. She has stories to tell. She and Skye are getting along, though no great love story yet, lol.

Madame Grès

Anyway, let's see if I can get this posted today, and I'll throw in some photos along the way. Maybe it won't be another four years before I post again:-)