Dragonflies are grouped into seven families, each of which contains many members. Skimmers, one of the biggest of the families, prefer marshy areas and so are not often seen around the well drained portions of the Kootenay Lake shoreline. Yet there are marshes around here and it is there that one goes to see skimmers. Yesterday, I saw these three skimmer species around the pond at Grohman Narrows Park.
An Eight-spotted Skimmer has, as its name suggests, eight promenant black patches spread over its four wings and sometimes white patches between them. Mature males, such as this one, also have a dusty blue-grey pigment (a pruinescence) on the abdomen.
Not quite as spectacular, but perhaps more common is the Four-spotted Skimmer. The dark patches (one per wing) are much smaller. The little black streaks (the pterostigma) near the wingtips are common to many dragonflies and aren’t counted in the tally. Here are two views.
Also skimmers, but smaller than the spotted ones, are the meadowhawks. This is a White-faced Meadowhawk.
Those wings are so delicate looking yet so efficient! Great photos and nice color.