Rare visitor

An exquisite creature paid us a visit this week. A large dragonfly, just hanging out on the jasmine. He was obliging to let me get so close and take his picture.  (Our phone cameras are pretty amazing. In the old days, this shot would have required a tripod and a whole lot of patience.)

Dragonflies are fierce hunters, like hawks, and have eyes that cover most of the head's surface. They can fly 30 miles per hour, and prey on mosquitoes, moths, butterflies and other flying insects.

Fossils of dragonflies from 325 million years had 30-inch wingspans.