Dragonfly intrigue is infinite… They seem tough yet delicate, with sturdy bodies but glassine wings that can turn sunlight into opals. They can fly incredibly fast, and then balance on their toes on wisps of vegetation.
They make me think of Gary Larson‘s line: “Birds of Prey Know They’re Cool”
When dragonflies assume this handstand-like posture and point their abdomens skyward it is referred to as the “obelisking position“ or Obelisk Pose. (How often does anyone refer to a monolithic pillar, other than perhaps architects, artists, and author Edward Gorey?) Biologists say dragons do this in order to cool off, by reducing exposure to the sun. (Wish I could do it that way!) Personally, I think they're receiving signals from outer space ~ or at least intentionally interfering with my cell phone signal.
Have you noticed dragonflies hanging around car parking lots? I assume they see light reflecting from cars and are drawn in as if there is water there. I’ve seen dragonflies hover over cars, on very hot afternoons, dabbing the tips of their abdomens onto the tops of the vehicles, confused - I guess - and seeking water. It breaks my heart. They are wasting their energy, and possibly singeing themselves on glaringly barren metal. When I see dragonflies in the city I wish could take them home, give them fresh water and feed them some mosquitoes!
