Aurora Damsels (male and female)

[fgorga]

A while back we had posts about the differences in coloration between male and female ebony jewelwings.

Here is another example of sexually dimorphic coloration in damselflies. Also note the differences in the tip of the abdomen (terminal appendages).

Male Aurora Damsel


Female Aurora Damsel



--- Frank (www.gorga.org/blog)

[Mark Nadler]

Both beauties.  I also love the info you provide.

mark

[fgorga]

Thanks for the comment, Mark.

I am glad that I am not boring you with the biology. 

I have an undergraduate degree in biology and a graduate degree in biochemistry. I am retired now, but spent my career as a college chemistry professor. Thus "explaining things" is sort of ingrained in my psyche!!!

When I became interested in photographing these critters, I made a nuisance of myself pestering a colleague/friend in the biology department whose research involved damselflies. Thus I got a jump start in learning about these interesting critters. The book learning came later.

Regards,

--- Frank (www.gorga.org/blog)

[Mark Nadler]

fgorga, my motivation for taking pictures of nature is to produce beautiful decorative art -- or, at least, I am trying to do that.  I think the type of background information you possess only enhances an image. 

mark

[francois]

Spectacular shots, both. I also like the info!
Bravo.

[Bob_B]

+1, from a fellow retired professor of microbial genetics

[Arlen]

+2, from a fellow retired molecular biologist, now with an interest in all things biological, and in particular aquatic insects, including Odonata; not to mention run-on sentences.