This Morning Outside

by Diane Porter

July 15, 2010
On the driveway at Birdwatching Dot Com
Fairfield, Iowa

Known as the Blue-tipped Dancer, this tiny damselfly reminds me that beauty is all around, if only I open my eyes. Have to open them wide to see this tiny creature. She's only about an inch and a half long. From the height of my eyes, she appears as slender as a hair.

Photos copyright 2010 Michael and Diane Porter

I'd probably never see her if she stayed still.

But when she flies, I notice her and aim my binoculars at her as she settles down again on a pebble. Then I see the stunning turquoise of her bodice, and the complex pattern of turquoise patches in her huge eyes.

I know this is a female, because the tip of her tail is grey rather than blue. The last three segments would be partly turquoise on a male.

The scientific name of the Blue-tipped Dancer is Argia tibialis.

Damselflies are related to dragonflies, but smaller and more delicate. As damsels compared to dragons, one might say.

—Diane Porter

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