Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

Common Green Darner
Anax junius

The Common Green Darner (Anax junius) is a large, common dragonfly which occurs over all of the lower 48 states and much of Canada. This is a tough species and is able to survive in harsh conditions. The first shot shown here was taken in early December, 2002, in Austin, Travis Co., Texas of a male as it rested on some grass. The photo was a digital capture with a Canon EOS D60 and EF 300 mm F/4 L IS lens with a 1.4X extender and 550 EX flash.
This shot was taken in June, 2003, in Austin with a Canon EOS 10D and a 70-200 mm F/2.8 L IS lens and 2X extender and 550 EX flash.
The pair of Common Green Darners shown here are in copula. The female has a damaged wing, possibly from a bird attack, but she was still able to fly just fine. This shot was taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in September, 2003, with a Canon 10D and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS lens and 2X extender.
While walking along the edge of a pond in Edinburg, Hidalgo Co., Texas, in October, 2003, we came across an odd sight. A Common Green Darner and a Roseate Skimmer were stuck in the mud. We surmised that the darner had captured the skimmer, but during their aerial struggle they plunged into the mud and were both stuck. The darner was still alive and feeding on the skimmer as this shot was taken. Whether or not the darner was able to extract itself from the mud is unknown, as we left this scene just as we found it.
This pair of Common Green Darners in copula was taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in March, 2004, with the same gear described previously.
The perched female Common Green Darner shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas in April, 2007. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
The female Common Green Darner shown here was ovipositing in a small pond in Howard Co., Arkansas in September, 2007. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
The male Common Green Darner shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in June, 2003. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 10D and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS lens and 2X extender and flash.
The Common Green Darner shown here was shot with the same gear and at the same location as the image just previous, but in October, 2003.
The male shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in September, 2007. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and flash.
The young male Common Green Darner shown here was at Santa Ana N.W.R., Hidalgo Co., Texas, in October, 2008. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and Canon 580 flash.
The male Common Green Darner shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas in November, 2008. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and Canon 580 flash.
The pair of Common Green Darners in copula shown here were in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in August, 2009. This images was taken with a Canon EOS 50D and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 1.4X extender and 580 flash.
The male Common Green Darner in flight shown here as well as the pair in copula next, were in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in September, 2009.

The pair of Common Green Darners in tandem shown here was at Santa Ana N.W.R., Hidalgo Co., Texas, in September, 2009. The same photo gear as previously described was used.
The next two shots show detail of the head and thorax of a male and female Common Green Darner in tandem. These shots were taken in October, 2009, in Austin, Travis Co., Texas.

The next 2 shots of a pairs of Common Green Darners in copula were taken at High Island, Galveston Co., Texas, in November, 2009. The same gear as previously described was used.

The close-up of the head and thorax of a male Common Green Darner shown here was taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in November, 2009, with a Canon EOS 50D and a Sigma 150mm F/2.8 Macro lens.
The female shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in October, 2010. She is missing the left rear wing, perhaps from a bird attack. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.
The male Common Green Darner in flight in the next 2 shots, was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in October, 2010. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.

The pair of Common Green Darners in the next two shots was in Weslaco, Hidalgo Co., Texas, in December, 2010. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash. The female is ovipositing while the male remains attached in tandem. This species is very hardy, and may be encountered all year in parts of Texas on a warm day.

The male Common Green Darner in flight in the next two shots was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in September, 2011. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.

Common Green Darner Anax junius male Southeast Metro Park, Travis Co., Texas 24 October 2013
Common Green Darner Anax junius male Southeast Metro Park, Travis Co., Texas 24 October 2013
Common Green Darner Anax junius male Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 1 November 2013