Correction: thanks to Mike Powell for IDing this as a Great Blue Skimmer:
“I am almost certain that your dragonfly is a Great Blue Skimmer rather than a Blue Dasher, Blue Dashers have striped thoraxes (the “chest” area), while Great Blue Skimmers have whitish thoraxes, like the one in your images. Blue Dashers are also quite a bit smaller than Great Blue Skimmers, whose bodies seem more elongated. “
I now have two Canon 7D Mark II camera bodies and went out with them both this week to a preserve circled with old rice fields.
I spotted this Blue Dasher eating some kind of a bee/flying insect and he stuck around long enough for me to get some shots with both sets of gear. The Canon 100-400mm lens takes wonderful closeups, especially when the light is good, although I try not to go to the full 400mm as it tends to go a bit soft. This time I forgot.
Blue Dasher Eating Insect, Canon 100-400 mm lens @ 400 mm, f9
As is often the case in South Carolina swamp areas, I was limited in distance and angle for safety reasons. In addition to the usual snakes and alligators to watch for this dike was riddled with ant hills. I just assume they bite and try to stay clear.
Blue Dasher Eating Insect, Canon 100mm prime, f14
After a few shots I was able to get a bit closer with the 100mm lens while there was still some lunch remaining.
Blue Dasher Eating Insect, Canon 100mm prime, f10
Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Ravenel, SC
June 23, 2021