They are older than birds and one of the most efficient predators on the planet. The dragonflies belong to the insect order Odonata and trace their lineage back about 350 million years ago. Sixty-five million years ago they survived mass extinction when a meteor struck the earth near the Yucatan Peninsula and caused the demise of the dinosaurs. The dragonflies of today are much smaller than their pre-historic ancestors which were about the size of a large crow.
Dragonflies hunt better than the best birds of prey. Peregrine falcons have about 22% hunting efficiency as they swoop down to catch prey in mid-air. By contrast, dragonflies have almost a 100% success rate when hunting flies, mosquitos and sometimes each other. Like hummingbirds, they can hover, quickly change direction, and even fly backwards.
Photographing dragonflies is fun and I employ the same techniques that work with birds in flight. Typically, this means using shutter speeds of about 1/2000 second to stop action. A flash unit with a long telephoto lens helps to catch some of the different colors on the bodies and wings. I am fascinated by the wing structures – very delicate but durable, and they look like glass. As I watch them fly and perch near a woodland pond, it’s not difficult to imagine being transported back to the ancient forests millions of years ago.
