18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
A dragonfly at rest

This is a dragonfly at rest on a plant stem. What draws me to it is the six appendages grasping the stem. This is a wonderful demonstration of a dragonfly's abilities: I imagine the dragonfly could not stay upright like this without the long, bottom appendages reaching low on the stem to provide stability. We think of insects like this as all about wings, and I'm struck by the grace and skill of these appendages.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Cape May, New Jersey, United States of America
Copyright: © Adam Hundley