The Variable Dancer is, as its name implies, the only Dragon or, in this case, Damselfly which has three distinct subspecies which vary enough in appearance to warrant individual common names. This is the “Violet” Dancer of the north and northeast. There is also the “Smokey-winged Dancer” of the southeast, west to the Mississippi, and the “Black” Dancer of Florida.

But they are all the same species, and intergrades of all verities exist where there is overlap in territory. Maine is far enough from any other variant so it is safe to say this is a pure Argia fumipennis violacea. I like the interesting angle on this shot. It makes me smile, somehow.

The female is much plainer and much more difficult to sort from other Dancer females…except by proximity to the male, and tandem pairs, as in the 3rd shot, help a lot with that.

You have admit (or at least I have to admit) that the violet color on this damselfly is quite striking.

Canon SX40HS. Program with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation.  1680mm equivalent field of view. f5.8 @ 1/320th to 1/1000th @ ISO 200 to 400. Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.