Ebony jewelwing

Every morning the river offers gifts. I never see things like this unless I put myself in the path of light, and minute lives flying about their business. This creature is a female ebony jewelwing, Calopteryx maculata. Males lack the white stigmata. These damselflies are common along Ontario rivers and streams. Jewelwings are our largest damselflies. This one is about 5 cm long. I've seen many before, but one has never allowed me so close. Perhaps it happened because I approached with the sun in front, so I didn't cast a shadow. The colours don't show as well from this side, but it is nice to see the venation of the wings, which normally appear black when folded. Notice the fine hairs on its legs, presumably for scooping prey. You can see them better in the large image (click the photo to go to the Flickr page, then click "all sizes").