Whilst enjoying our dock after a swim, we noticed two beautiful dragonflies mating, which we see often near the water. The male had turquoise eyes, and a pale blue body; the female was a drab grey. There is a short dark edge to the front of each set of wings. These are skimmers called Blue Dashers (Pachydiplax longipennis)
Once the copulation was over, the female went directly to our enclosed water garden within our dock area, and began dipping her abdomen down towards the water, laying her eggs, one at a time. While she was doing this, her mate hovered in the vicinity, guarding their investment. He chased off another male when it came near.
I don't know how the female knew when there were no more eggs to lay, but she promptly flew off and we didn't see her again. The territorial male seemed to linger a bit longer.
This is a male Blue Dasher using my toe as a perch.
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