for close to a month now, there have been swarms of 50 or more dragonflies hovering, gliding, swooping, and darting over our gravel driveway. they swarm when other insects are swarming, and that means they are devouring many of the little whining insects that would otherwise be landing on our ears and necks, with bloodthirsty intentions. i suppose for some people, the sudden thrum of a dragonfly darting past your ear as you walk from the car to the front door might be cause for a minor freakout. but for me, they are like the garbage truck pulling up at the end of the driveway, loud and ungainly, but doing me a great favor.

squadron of dragonflies

saint paul, minnesota