The large black and white Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) is unique among most dragonflies in Georgia, in that it often strays a considerable distance from open water. To see most dragonflies, it is necessary to visit a wetland, or perhaps a stream or lake edge. But Widow Skimmers are content with suburban backyards, provided there are good locations for perching and the opportunity to catch prey. About halfway down Piney Woods Church Road, just past the now-vacant cattle pasture, there is a road bank beside a ditch that has been allowed to grow wild. I met up with a Widow Skimmer there today, swooping from perch to perch, sometimes pausing to rest and other times racing onward. It circled the island of wild foliage a few times, and I managed to take its photograph, though some of my images were at such slow shutter speeds that they are in less than stellar focus. This one is among the best of the lot — not quite frame-worthy, but much better resolution than most of the Loch Ness Monster images out there. I will learn patience, and return, and try again on another day.
