The Eastern Forktail is a small and colorful damselfly frequently seen around ponds, marshes, and quiet lakes. Known for its bright green thorax and distinctive tail markings, it is one of the most common damselflies in eastern North America.
Identification
Males have a bright green thorax with a black dorsal stripe
Abdomen is mostly black with a pale blue tip
Females are more variable.
Clear, narrow wings held together when resting
Very small size, typically 2.5–3.5 cm (about 1"long)
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I probably should get Brownie Points for being able to capture an erratic moving, teeny tiny, 1" damselfly flying low to the ground and only briefly trying to land on a sharply contrasted, vertical, white fence that was too slippery for it to ever stop. Trying for the shot was crazy. The contrast was too great. That insect too tiny and constantly in motion. Nevertheless, the capture still turned out pretty good with the species' markings clear. One never knows what they'll actually get in the way of success unless they take action and try for the difficult shot. If this little guy was looking for mosquitoes, he's very welcome at my house!!!
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