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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Damsels in the Garden


Rounding the side of the house is a shady area with lush green shrubbery,
pachysandra ground covering,
an old urn filled with hosta
and
a lot of activity!

There is fluttering,

flitting

and

flying,

as the broad winged damselflies do their dance.

They are beautiful and remind me of butterflies!

Female Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies





These damselflies are Ebony Jewelwings.

Our home is on old farmland.
There is a running creek along the backside with wooded areas and a small garden pond in our courtyard which attracts Ebony Jewelwings in spring.

It is fun watching them.
I will move in very close and they let me.  They watch me as I watch them.

Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies



Damselflies are closely related to dragonflies.
The easiest way to tell dragonflies and damselflies apart is to look at the wings.
Dragonfly wings stick straight out from the body when the dragonfly is resting.  Damselfly wings usually fold back above the body.

Damselflies



Males have iridescent bodies and their wings are black.
These two males are resting on the hosta leaves.

Ebony Jewelwing - Damselfly






They often fluff their wings as you can see here.

Male Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies





The Ebony Jewelwings grow up to two inches long.
Males are larger than females.

Male Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies




Male Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies



Females also have black wings, but they have a lighter colored body.
They also have a white spot on their wings.

Female Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies



This female is fluffing her wings.

Female Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies



Female Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies



Female Ebony Jewelwing Damselflies


There are quite a few damselflies that have made this shaded area their home and it is beautiful when rounding the corner as they flit and fly from one hosta leaf to another; fluttering like butterflies.

In this video you can see several male damselflies resting on the hosta.
(click on the white title to view.)




I really wanted to share their ethereal dance with you, so you could see them take flight fluttering about as I round the corner, but I had no luck getting the video to turn out well.
However, you can see a bit of their dainty flutter in this clip.

It is quick, so try to imagine 10 or more of them all at once dancing about from hosta to shrub and back...it is a beautiful sight!
(click on the white title to view)



You can read more interesting facts about the Ebony Jewelwing damselfly here.

Do you have damselflies in your garden?


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5 comments:

  1. We don't have damselflies as far as I know (have never noticed them), but your closeup photos are amazing! Their wings look like little nets - so fragile!

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  2. Cindy these little damselflies are amazing, I don't think that we have them here in the West. Thanks for showing them. Enjoy your day. Jo

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  3. I don't think I've ever seen one! How awesome! Love those wings!

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  4. What sweet creatures! LOVE their little fluttery flight!

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  5. Oh such beauty, Cindy! First of all, your photos are AMAZING and these little lovelies are such beautiful creations. I really don't think I have ever seen a variety just like this. You have certainly captured them well! Have a great Thursday :)

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