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Elfin Skimmer
Nannothemis bella
The Elfin Skimmer (Nannothemis bella) is a tiny dragonfly of much of the eastern United States. Although it may be fairly common in some areas, it is very small and inconspicuous. The first 11 shots on this page were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and Canon 580 flash, in Washington Co., Maine, in June. 2010. The first 6 shots show females while the next 5 shots show males.
The shot on the right shows a male Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus), one of the largest North American dragonflies, held next to a male Elfin Skimmer, the smallest North American dragonfly. The image provides an interesting size comparison. These two dragons were netted near Spur Lake, Marinette Co., Wisconsin, in July, 2011.
The female Elfin Skimmer on the right and the male in the next image were at Spur Lake, Marinette Co., Wisconsin, in July, 2011. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.
The teneral female Elfin Skimmer on the right was at Cheraw State Park, Chesterfield Co., South Carolina, in May, 2012.
The female Elfin Skimmer on the right was at Cheraw State Park, Chesterfield Co., South Carolina, in May, 2012.