There were a lot of these Blue-eyed Darners in the Urban Bay Natural Area in Seattle. They were in the air along the edge of Lake Washington, and even more present weaving among the cattails in the lagoon on the other side of “the fill” (as the locals apparently call the reclaimed dump area). I came really close to getting a shot of one in the air…but eventually this specimen settled for a series of photos. It was well worn with tattered wings, but still beautiful with its turquoise eyes and pattern of abdomen spots. This dragonfly really does look like something crafted in a Southwestern Jewelry shop.

Canon SX50HS. Program with iContrast and –1/3EV exposure compensation. 1) 2400mm equivalent field of view (1200mm optical zoom plus 2x digital tel-converter function). f6.5 @ 1/200th @ ISO 100. 2) 1200mm equivalent. f6.5 @ 1/320 @ ISO 125. Processed in Lightroom for intensity, clarity, and sharpness.