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Hmmm, of all the myriad creatures with which we share this world of infinite diversity, is there any as mystical and prehistoric as the Dragonfly?

I became enamoured with these winged dragons a few years back somewhat by accident. My fascination grows the more time I spend in their presence. I have begun to feel an affinity with them.

It may surprise you to learn – it certainly surprised me – that dragonflies have existed on planet earth for 300 million years. Scientists tell us they look today much the same as they did way back in those ancient days – except that they have gotten much smaller.

Imagine these Shadow Darners with three foot wing spans buzzing by your head.

Shadow Darners Mating

Dragonflies earn their wings quite late in life. They live from one to three years in the larva stage and have only a few, short weeks to enjoy life as dragons of the sky. Seems a shame, doesn’t it, that something as striking as this Black Saddlebags is only a snapshot in time.

Black Saddlebags

Dragonflies are quite the acrobatic fliers. They can move sideways, backwards and hover in place on their four wings. And they can be speed demons – some can fly upwards of 30 miles an hour. Picture this Four-spotted Skimmer rocketing past you in a colourful blur.

Four-spotted Skimmer

These impressive insects are in fact fearsome predators. They have been known to take down a hummingbird. Makes you think twice about disturbing this Lance-tipped Darner, doesn’t it?

Lance-tipped Darner

Metaphors abound when one ponders these winged dragons of the wetlands. My metaphor of choice is “living in the moment”. Three years in larva stage. A few short weeks to soar and revel in the summer skies.

When you’re a dragonfly, living in the moment is the very definition of life.

~ Michael Robert Dyet is the author of “Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel” – double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog. 

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