There are several species of darners, the most prevalent being the Common Green Darner (Anax junius) in Olmsted County. Both sexes have a green thorax. Males have a blue abdomen. Females and juvenile males have a reddish abdomen.
They have a "bull's eye" pattern in the face, above the compound eyes.
They are difficult to photograph because they are in flight most of the day, and rarely perch. Green Darners are approximately 7.5 cm in length.
Common Green Darner
__________________________________________________
Male Common Green Darner with blue abdomen
Male Common Green Darner in flight
_________________________________________
The Green-striped darner (Aeshna verticalis - below) is rare in Olmsted County, and I have only come across it once. It is approximately 7.5 cm in length.
Green-striped Darner
Green-striped Darner
_________________________________________
I photographed the Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta - see below) in northern Minnesota, but it has also been observed in Olmsted county. It is approximately 7.5 cm in length.
Variable Darner
___________________________________________________
I photographed the Black-tipped Darner (Aeshna tuberculifera - see below) in northern Minnesota, but it has also been observed in Goodhue county, which is adjacent to Olmsted county. It is approximately 7.5 cm in length.
Black-tipped darner
Shadow Darner in flight