Dragonflies are super cool. They have their personalities, with different colors being more active or more chill, and each of them has its own personality too — mostly, more or less aggressive toward protecting its territory.

Red-veined darters (I have no idea who comes up with these names but would like to have a drink with them and get some insights) can be super chill. and I took this photo using my macro lens from a very short distance, like a few inches above it, glad none of the shadows were of me. I took a few photos, because it’s an awkward angle and distance to work at, and sure enough some of them were no good at all, but all you need is one keeper. I’m really happy to have captured both the facets on the eyes and the detail on the thorax.

November 1, 2015. Nikon D7100 (DX sensor), 105mm Nikon macro lens (35mm equivalent: 155mm), f/16, 1/125, ISO 400.