Common, Green, and Alone

We all know Kermit's little ditty about how it's not easy being green, and for this common green darner, not only was the day not easy, but it wasn't common,  either!


Anax junius/Common Green Darner female

 It's been a warmer than usual winter, here in central Florida, and  a few dragonflies have made quick one or two day appearances in my yard, but it's also been very dry, so they 've been few and far between. Prior to this common green, the last odes I saw were flying along the boardwalk of Turkey Creek, where there is a constant and year round source of water and wetlands.

A few days ago, after the daytime temps had topped 80 degrees for a few days running, a cold wind began to blow out of the north and the temps began to plummet. Out on the fence, shimmering in the sun as she clung to the southern side of the boards, was a female common green darner. The wind was so crisp and so sharp, she was being buffeted about, even though the wind was not hitting her directly. She clung to that board for more than an hour, then I lost track of her.

The temps dropped to near freezing that night, and I've not seen her since. She looks like a comaparatively fresh individual, so I don't think she's a migrant. Hope she found a better (and warmer) place to hang for the night and is enjoying the warmth that is returning today.