Dot-tailed Whiteface

The Dot-tailed Whiteface is one of the first dragonflies to emerge in the spring.  I photographed this female in Dakota County this June. Young are more colorful than adults, which become quite dark. Dot-tailed Whitefaces like lake country, though they are often found basking in the sun away from their breeding areas.  Males defend small, non-static territories.  Mated pairs often fly in tandem in search of breeding areas (Montana Field Guides). The day I observed them, the air was full of flying whitefaces.