Blue dasher on cattail

Blue dashers perch on the same few stems for long stretches, returning to the same lookout after every short patrol flight over the water — which makes them one of the easier dragonflies to photograph well.

Why it matters

Dragonflies are an early warning sign for water quality; their larvae live underwater for up to two years and can’t tolerate pollution.

Getting the shot

I picked one perch, focused manually, and waited for the dragonfly to return to it rather than chasing it around the marsh.