I had to compliment her (and take a photo) because I have never found one this big before! Not only that, I've never found one in flowing water, either!
If you look closely at the back, you can see two sets of wings forming under the exoskeleton of this "little" stream critter--the forewing and the hindwing. This nymph will split its exoskeleton, uncurling its wispy wings to take flight over the water's surface. The head will look almost the same as it does now. This insect's abdomen and thorax will glint in the sun, iridescent blue or green, as it seeks out smaller insects (like mosquitoes) to feast on.
Dragonflies hover like fairytales, captivating and just out of reach, zipping past before you can blink an eye. When they finally come to rest on the blade of a rush, they allow admirers to study their shiny bodies closely; we have a moment of awe at their bright colors and interesting shape.
The Dragonfly: the Ugly Duckling of the insect world!
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