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My conviction, not only assumption, is that dragonflies can't produce (any significant) horisontal thrust sideways. I would be delighted to see some evidence that I am wrong. :p Consequently, dragonflies must have the wings horisontally in a stationary hover. A 90 degree bank is fully possible...

This should be a Lilypad whiteface, Leucorrhinia caudalis? (since it has white wing spots) https://flic.kr/p/2jgeye3]F36A9133_ZS_DMap_18p_ret_DxO_4000[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156501403@N04/]Erik Astrom[/url], on Flickr

In a stationary turn (without any sideslip or change of altitude), the load factor is solely dependent of the bank angle. Speed is not involved at all. Turn rate and turn radius depend on both speed and load factor

A hover at 80° bank would lead to an astounding acceleration. :p But it is possible that the dragonfly was doing a "hammerhead" in more or less 0g. They seem to be pretty skilled in aerobatics.. So much easier to shoot when they are grounded.. Or maybe not :rolleyes...

Interesting, an 80 degree bank should generate a load factor of 5.7g :p

Here is one with super green eyes.. Supposed downy emerald https://flic.kr/p/2jenxfL]F36A7124_ZS_DMap_8p_ret_DxO_4000[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156501403@N04/]Erik Astrom[/url], on Flickr

I just did sitting ducks yesterday. :oops: The flying ones were way too fast.. I'm trying to identify these, could it be Coenagrion hastulatum, the northern damselfly? https://flic.kr/p/2jein5d]F36A8285_ZS_DMap_3p_ret_DxO_full[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156501403@N04/]Erik...

More four-spotted chasers, the pre-focusing trick works like a charm :p F36A6685_DxO_4000 by Erik Astrom, on Flickr https://flic.kr/p/2jdGXCb]F36A6669_DxO_full[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156501403@N04/]Erik Astrom[/url], on Flickr

Actually, four-spotted chasers are quite easy to catch in flight using the "pre-focus on the presumed landing spot"-trick. They have a tendency to come back to exactly the same spot as they sat on before they left for catching food.. But only on condition the photographer practices social...

And regarding evolution and survival of the fittest, why on earth has the four-spotted chaser got a transparent body? Most species (except very small insects and microorganisms) don't.. I am an engineer and I know that you make transparent designs only to prove that you actually can :p Otherwise...

Thanks Click! Much appreciated :)

You mean like this? :p I have to bring the macro next time, EF100-400 can't resolve the facet eyes.. https://flic.kr/p/2jdav6u]F36A3830_ZS_DMap_20p_ret_DxO_2880[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156501403@N04/]Erik Astrom[/url], on Flickr

I agree, I think Charles Darwin got it slightly wrong: It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that has the most spectacular color scheme... :D A blue metallic finish, for example, doesn't seem very functional..? But it...

This one is easier to identify, ought to be a large red damselfly, Pyrrhosoma nymphula? Stack of 8 pictures https://flic.kr/p/2jczp7n]F36A4096_ZS_DMap_8p_ret_DxO_full[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156501403@N04/]Erik Astrom[/url], on Flickr

Okay, so you believe you have seen everything? What about a swimming dragonfly? :p I have absolutely no clue why it ended up in the water, maybe a mishap when it was going to catch an insect? Anyway, it kind of paddled with the wings to a reed where it climbed up and was airborn again within...

I spent a couple of hours standing in the water today trying to catch a sharp four-spotted chaser in flight. Almost did it :p I got some sitting ducks and a swimming dragonfly also, will post more tomorrow https://flic.kr/p/2jccBQj]F36A4442_DxO_full[/url] by...

I imported 20 pictures into Zerene but only used maybe 10 of them... It's not as easy as it may seem, dragonflies tend to move their wings even when they sit down and any microscopic movement will cause a visible mismatch in the rib structure in the wings.. And also the abdomen expands and...

I found this one in my backyard. Not a chance to catch it in flight.. Too fast :) I think it is a Broad-bodied chaser, Libellula Depressa. Click the "F26.."-link under the picture for full resolution. The white neck fur on the right side is not very sharp, I must have messed up in Zerene...

Four-spotted chasers. Those are a pain to catch flying.. :) But after all, I tried to google pictures of four-spotted chasers, about 500 pictures found but only two of those were in flight! This must be a quite odd hobby :p https://flic.kr/p/2j7AB1M]F36A2650_DxO_full[/url] by...

A few more.. https://flic.kr/p/2j7AEtU]F36A2452_DxO_full[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156501403@N04/]Erik Astrom[/url], on Flickr https://flic.kr/p/2j7zcKu]F36A2520_DxO_full[/url] by https://www.flickr.com/photos/156501403@N04/]Erik Astrom[/url], on Flickr...