The heat may be uncomfortable for us Montanans, but not so much for the little fliers in the woods and grasslands. The dragonflies only fly when the sun is out and the temperatures seem to be quite fine with them.
Bob Danley of the Bitterroot Outdoor Journal has been keeping his nose to the ground to see the first Meadowhawk dragonflies of the season. And the larger (2-inch long) 12-spotted Skimmers are pretty common in the valley s wetlands. They have a large bulky brown body and their four wings each have 3 large dark spots (photo above). Also in the air are the Spreadwing Damselflies. They perch with the wings held at a 45-degree angle to their body, like the Emerald Spreadwing (photo below). You can find them in temporary ponds, like oxbows, that lack fish.