Horrell column 7-6-24: Not in distress

This is a damselfly. There are nearly 3,000 documented species of damselflies across the world and on every continent except Antarctica.

Damselflies are smaller than dragonflies and, if you see one sitting on a blade of grass like the one I photographed here, it will be at rest with its wings folded above its back.

These little insects are easily spooked. If you try to photograph one, it is smart to move slowly as you try to get close. They like to sit in sunlit places and, if your shadow passes over it, it will probably fly away. Damselflies feed upon tiny flying insects such as gnats, which they catch in mid air.

Horrell is an artist and outdoorsman. He lives in Chaffee. He owns Painted Wren Art Gallery in Cape Girardeau.