Skimmer

One of my favorite resources for Odonate identification is the scans by G & J Strickland. Here are the URLs for two relevant scans: 1) L. vibrans male (Great Blue Skimmer) http://public.fotki.com/gstrick3/9_dragonfly_faces/395a_l_vibrans6_face.html 2) L. incesta male #1 (Slaty Skimmer) http://public.fotki.com/gstrick3/7_dragonfly_scans_2/383a_l_incesta2.html As you can see, a shot of the dragonfly's face would help to confirm it's identity. I think I see a little white toward the tip of the dragonfly's head in Ken's photo, so I'm guessing this specimen is an immature male Great Blue Skimmer.

Ah, thanks for the correction, Geodialist. I was up a bit too late last night when I was going through spottings! Sorry to here you don't have any more pics of this beauty. You can always name it as a Skimmer. At least we are sure of that!

This individual is definitely an immature male, as indicated by its terminal appendages. It would be helpful to see the face -- did you get a shot? ForestDragon is correct about the difference in leg coloration between Great Blues and Slatys.

Hi Ken! Did you happen to get any other angles? Apparently the main difference between the coloration of the females of the two species you are considering is the Great Blue Skimmers have light colored femora and the Slaty Skimmers have black femora. I think you are on the right track.