Common Green Darner

Many common green darners winter along the Gulf Coast--it's a pretty long trip. Interestingly, some believe that the kestrel falcons time their migration to coincide with the migration of these big dragonflies, and probably prey on them.

Common Green Darners are interesting insects as at least part of their northern population is migratory. Some of the adults stay in places like Minnesota and Ontario and, of course, do not survive the cold weather (although the larvae do). The rest migrate south, lay eggs, and die. Then their young hatch out, go through their nymph stages, become adults and fly north. I suspect your spotting this one on Oct 20 is one of those that are not migratory. One very cool insect and spotting!

Welcome Anairam. The dragonfly in your photo is a Common Green Darner, although he looks like he's seen better days!