Settling in for the night...

  Late in the afternoon just before sunset, I feed up the old dog and then take him out for one last walk about the hillside.  Mr. PJ does his business while I observe whatever critters are busying themselves in the nearby bushes.  When he is ready, we make our way back up the hill and he gladly climbs on his bed.  There he will stay all snug until morning.  This routine has become so ingrained in the old dog's brain that he lets me know when feeding and walking time has arrived.  I had better not miss either!

  This afternoon, we also ventured into what used to be the garden.  Now the area sits barren while it awaits the planting of a fall garden.  Just as the sun was starting to set behind the pines, a lone dragonfly flitted past my head.  The critter lit on the dead twig that was caught up in the fence line.  This dragonfly seemed to be going to bed much like Mr. PJ does.  There was a little bit of twitching and turning before it found just the right spot to spend the night.  As I was watching, it occurred to me that I have never seen a dragonfly hunt at night.  They all seem to settle in on some twig and spend the night resting.   But then, I have never gone out dragonfly hunting at night to see just what they actually do "after hours".

   The idea of a sleeping dragonfly made me do a bit of research and my hunch was correct.  Other than some dragonflies becoming disoriented due to bright lights, the critters spend the night resting.  Occasionally, they may shift positions on a twig or flee if a predator comes too near but they are usually diurnal.  Rest easy, Little Dragonfly, rest easy.  Tomorrow, you will have a full day of hunting so get all the rest you can!