darting dragons
over frosty meadows
light slowly fades
There are some species of dragonfly that are active well into the autumn months, including the Autumn Meadowhawk, loosely depicted in the watercolour above. That is just a perfect common name – hawk of the meadows – quickly flying over the fields, snapping flying insects from the sky. Dragonflies are ancient insects – with a body plan that has changed little for millions of years. They are brilliant fliers, but also very effective hunters during their aquatic larval stage.
I featured the Autumn Meadowhawk in a Portrait of Astonishing Nature, a book you can purchase and help support the Creek 53 Conservancy Trust – special wild lands near my home in Quebec.
© Christopher M Buddle 2024
Nature's Reverie 