Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)
Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa Iowa
Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa Iowa
Widow Skimmer dragonflies (Libellula luctuosa) on a blade of grass at Geode State Park in Iowa. The male is shown on the top photo, the female on the bottom.

Details:

(Top) Canon EOS 10D,  shutter 1/125 second, aperture f13, ISO 400, Canon EF 100 mm macro lens, Canon MR-14EX flash.

(Bottom) Canon EOS 10D,  shutter 1/180 second, aperture f13, ISO 400, Canon EF 100 mm macro lens, Canon MR-14EX flash.
 
Selected References:

Johnson, Ann. "Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)." The Dragonflies & Damselflies of Iowa (www.iowaodes.com).                 <http://www.iowaodes.com/skimmers/widow.asp > (17 Sep. 2004).

National Wildlife Federation. "Widow Skimmer." eNature (www.enature.com). <http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesSH.asp?curGroupID=4&shapeID=1016&curPageNum=28&recnum=IS0049 > (17 Sep. 2004)

USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. "Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)." Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of the United States / Odonata of Iowa (www.npwrc.usgs.gov). <http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/ia/380.htm > (17 Sep. 2004).