Broad Scarlet
Crocothemis erythraea
Observed at the Bamburi Haller Park Gardens/Reclamation site, Mombasa, Kenya, January 2012.
Dragonflies lead a double life. The first life is an aquatic insect hunting beneath the water and concealed by aquatic plants or fallen leaves. There they consume other invertebrates or even small fish. Eventually they emerge from the water, shed their exoskeleton once more, and reveal their gossamer wings. Now they become masters of airborne predation taking especially small flies including mosquitoes. People should appreciate these marvels!
Observed along a mountain stream below the Kongelai Escarpment, Kenya. July 2015.
During mid day, perching dragonflies will often orient their bodies towards the sun so as to minimize insolation. This behavior has been termed 'Obelisking.'