#ArtInvertChallenge
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saimihanma.bsky.social
Here are a few more angles and a closer up image of this damselfly for #ArtInvertChallenge.
a shiny green, slender damselfly clinging to a blade of grass the same damsefly but more from the back a closer image from the last post
August 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM
saimihanma.bsky.social
I'm a bit late, but here's the August #ArtInvertChallenge! It's a Common Spreadwing Damselfly (Lestes sponsa) I saw in Finland. I love the tiny jewels that you have to really look for to see.

You're free to use this image to draw, paint, write a poem or any other creative endeavor.
invertebrate art challenge - august the photo is of a damselfly perched on vegetation. it's very slender and the body is a shiny, iridescent green. the wings are clear and the eyes are brownish. the legs are black
August 4, 2025 at 5:13 PM
imagewildlife.bsky.social
You made it past hump day...you should now be flying high, analogous to the pictured #dragonfly, with an eye to the upcoming holiday weekend 😊 #ArtInvertChallenge
Paddle-tailed Darner is a large dragonfly approaching three inches in length. It's probably the most common darner species of the Rocky Mountain states. Pictured is a two image compilation of it in flight; the left image captures the entire body in focus while the right photo concentrates just on the face and thorax. Identified by: a) paddle-shaped appendages at end of abdomen (left photo) b) fine black line across yellow face (both photos) c) yellow-blue anterior thoracic stripe lacks a notch and the flag atop said stripe not long (both photos). References: Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Rocky Mountains; R. DuBois; Kollath & Stensaas Publishing (2010). Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West; D. Paulson; Princeton University Press (2009).
August 28, 2025 at 7:20 PM
imagewildlife.bsky.social
Emerald Spreadwing is a #damselfly of woodland wetlands that dry up by late summer (DuBois 2005). Only an inch and a half in length. Name describes coloration. Identification accomplished by viewing paraprocts/claspers (males), i.e. appendages at end of abdomen shaped like boots. #ArtInvertChallenge
This is a two photo compilation of Emerald Spreadwing perched on grass leaves. Most obvious feature of these damselflies are the four narrow wings held at 45 degree angle from body, ergo common name. Separated from several other spreadwing species by observing the paraprocts at the end of the abdomen. In this case, the pair are shaped like tall boots. Secondary characteristic for males are a bright metallic green color of thorax and abdomen that become pruniose (white) on lower thorax and two terminal abdominal with age.
August 9, 2025 at 8:05 PM
imagewildlife.bsky.social
It's sunny/95 F outside. The #dragonfly pictured is coping by hunting in the shade. And no, it is not black due to extreme sun exposure. More likely color plays a part surviving cooler temps of fall. Male Black Meadowhawk pictured, females have more black replaced with yellow. #ArtInvertChallenge
Black Meadowhawk has a distribution that includes the northern U.S. into Canada and extending across northern Eurasia (circumboreal). It measures about one and quarter inches in length. Uses wetlands that have abundant emergent vegetation. Looks vary with sex and age. Adult male is pictured. At maturity most all of body (thorax and abdomen) is blackish with remnant small yellow markings from immature phase. Legs are all black. Face is black with metallic reflections. Eyes are dark. References: Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West; D. Paulson; Princeton University Press (2009).
August 26, 2025 at 1:39 AM