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Cliff Bernzweig | profile | all galleries >> Animals >> Insects, Spiders, and other Bugs >> Dragonflies >> Clubtails: Gomphidae >> Emerging Clubtail tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Emerging Clubtail

While walking around the shore of Saffin Pond, I came across what I thought was a spent exuviae (the cast-off skin of a larval dragonfly), but which turned out still to be occupied. I then watched as the dragon emerged. The process of leaving the skin took about 15 minutes. Being short on time I could not stay to watch the wings expand, which I think takes several hours more.
Naiad (dragonfly larva)
Naiad (dragonfly larva)
Breaking through
Breaking through
Breaking through (with observer)
Breaking through (with observer)
Almost out
Almost out
Just emerged
Just emerged
Meanwhile...
Meanwhile...