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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) » Dragonflies (Anisoptera) » Skimmers (Libellulidae) » Skimmers (Crocothemis) » Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia)
Photo#204161
Scarlet Skimmer - Crocothemis servilia
Copyright © 2008 jim urbach

Scarlet Skimmer - Crocothemis servilia
Oveido, Orange County, Florida, USA
July 18, 2008
Two questions. Why do dragons assume this pose? Is there a way to attract dragons to a specific perch?

I'm trying to capture flight images of these dragons but only rarely do they hover. Thanks
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Contributed by jim urbach on 21 July, 2008 - 8:11am
Last updated 18 November, 2008 - 2:53pm

Moved
Moved from Dragonflies.
… Nick Block, 18 November, 2008 - 2:53pm login or register to post comments

Posture is called obelisking.
They do it to cool off by reducing the amount of surface area hit by the sun. The book entitled A Dazzle of Dragonflies would be an interesting read for you. It includes suggestions on how to make them hover. You'll probably need someone to help when you're shooting, but if you draw a horizontal figure eight at moderate speed and about shoulder height, sometimes they'll come over to have a look. There are also instructions on how to make a dragonfly bolo, in case you're attempting capture. (That one, I haven't tried.)
… Ron Hemberger, 21 July, 2008 - 10:22am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks Ron, I'll deinitely r
Thanks Ron, I'll definitely read up on this

Jim
… jim urbach, 21 July, 2008 - 11:27am login or register to post comments

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