swift river cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis) female at Lidke Mill IA 854A3400
It was a very cold and cloudy day with strong wind gusts and almost all insects were laying low. I found this docile swift river cruiser dragonfly dangling vertically below a large overhanging leaf and gently coaxed it onto my finger where it was content to sit still. Swift river cruisers live up to their name as they are among the fastest dragonflies in flight over long distances and typically patrol and control a river section stretching out the length of a football field or more. Notice all the long spines on its legs for securing prey that is picked off in flight.
swift river cruiser (Macromia illinoiensis) female at Lidke Mill IA 854A3400
It was a very cold and cloudy day with strong wind gusts and almost all insects were laying low. I found this docile swift river cruiser dragonfly dangling vertically below a large overhanging leaf and gently coaxed it onto my finger where it was content to sit still. Swift river cruisers live up to their name as they are among the fastest dragonflies in flight over long distances and typically patrol and control a river section stretching out the length of a football field or more. Notice all the long spines on its legs for securing prey that is picked off in flight.