Look who I met on my travels yesterday:
Meet Thad, a male Ebony Jewelwing, which is a kind of damselfly native to this region.
(And yes, I did name him.)
He looks quite different without the camera’s flash. This shot is closer to how he appeared to the naked eye under the forest canopy.
Isn’t he beautiful? That iridescent blue contrasts so dramatically with jet black.
Thad wasn’t the only damselfly that I saw yesterday. I seemed to be a magnet for these sparkling creatures on my walk, and most thrillingly of all, a few of them allowed me to come in close and take their portraits. But only if I spoke to them in a low, reassuring voice and asked permission.
If I didn’t speak, I couldn’t get within a range of 10 feet. If I spoke but neglected to ask permission, they darted off the moment I began to raise the camera. But if I prefaced any action with a nice, polite request for a portrait session, these lovely damselflies would sit still for several minutes at a time, even if my hands and lens came within inches of their delicate bodies. It was awesome!
Without their gracious acceptance, the only shots I’d have gotten would have been like this:
That’s two male damselflies having a little duel over a nearby female — or so it appeared to me. Don’t they look like turquoise light sabers flashing as tiny warriors battle it out in midair?
Fiona sat looking down at the fight from the overhanging leaf of a nearby tree. I think she was hoping Thad would win.
Isn’t she cute?
You can recognize the female Ebony Jewelwing by her less intense, more emerald green body color and the two white spots that appear on her wingtips.
Also, and this might just be my opinion, for I haven’t seen it listed in any official description, you can recognize her by the fact that her wings are not jet black like the males’, but filled with shimmering, multicolored lights. I tried to photograph them for you, and Fiona very patiently waited while I did so.
Still, I’m not sure I captured all the real-life glory of those wings with the lights in them. This is one of those times when I wish for a camera with a fancy macro lens.
Fiona’s coloration lacked the sword-sharp drama of her male counterparts, but it was the kind of Beauty that, when you finally get still enough to appreciate its nuances, makes you murmur softly to yourself, “Oh!”
Do you know the kind of Beauty I mean?
I hope so.
Okay. The next part is more of my emotional/spiritual development and deals with my year of Focus, and it’s pretty personal and long-winded. For those of you who’d like to bow out now, I’ve done the cool part. 
(And I may start designing the Focus 2010 posts this way, with a regular Enchanted-Earth-style post at the beginning, and then further reading for those of you following along on the personal journey.)
Reality bites. Or does it?
Damselflies and dragonflies were so omnipresent in my life this week that I had to look up their symbolism and research them a bit. (The two creatures are often confused, and most information I found used the word “dragonfly” but provided images of damselflies, as well, or lumped them all together categorically.)
I wanted to be able to understand the message the Universe was sending me — and I was pretty sure it was a personal message when one of these lovely creatures did a fly-by so near that I felt the breeze of her jeweled wing passing on my skin, followed moments later by another who landed momentarily on my arm as I knelt on the stone bridge to get a better photograph.
Do you believe the Earth and the details of your everyday reality speak to you?
I view it in almost the same manner as I do dream interpretation. There may be some useful, creative guidance hidden there, if I’m willing to pay attention. And who knows? It may be just me speaking to myself, ultimately. I have no proof that any of this exists, after all, and I’m still not convinced it isn’t all a big illusion, albeit an illusion carefully and exquisitely designed for maximum spiritual growth.
Anyway, as I read, two details about the dragonfly’s traditional symbolism set the bells of recognition ringing. Since dragonflies spend their lives in two realms, air and water, they are symbols of metamorphosis and the ability to transform oneself… and to successfully navigate the balance between emotion and thought. The dragonfly may appear in your life when you feel overwhelmed by emotion and need detachment to be able to find a creative path forward through your difficulties.
In the last few weeks, I’ve felt emotionally charged and beset by problems that look frankly unsolvable. The only “solutions” which present themselves to me involve taking a wait-&-see attitude. And that may be all that is necessary. Patience is definitely not my strong suit, as regular readers will know, and I may be in a holding pattern in order to develop that virtue. But I do feel as if there must be some better solution that I’m just not seeing, especially since a certain problem looks as if it is in deterioration mode, actively collapsing in on itself and getting worse by the day — and yet my worries and fears and yes, some anger over some of the situations do block my ability to see clearly, I’m sure of that.
I’d welcome the dragonfly into my life for that higher perspective alone. But then there was this:
“When we have made ourselves believe that the limitations of physical existence prevent us from changing and growing, dragonfly medicine teaches us to pierce our self-made illusions. Dragonfly can cause us to question the illusion which we call reality, particularly that part of our realities which hinders our ability to grow and create transformation and change in our lives. [...] This power animal is especially helpful for those who feel stuck.”
Yes! The feeling of not having the whole picture, of being trapped and extremely limited in what I can do at the moment, is pervasive right now. And I know that part of that is my fault: I’ve allowed a particular view of reality to dominate and to set my attitude. And my old picture of reality is not helpful at this point. I need to get rid of those old self-made illusions, and the only way to do that is to wake up to where they are wrong.
So the next time I pass the trickling water and see these lovely, sparkling creatures, I’ll not only ask permission to photograph them, but make a respectful request that they disillusion me thoroughly.
PDF 
Now I see what I’m doing wrong…I haven’t been asking permission…I’ll have to try that, and maybe my lens will be able to catch up to such creatures.
It can be easy to get ‘stuck’ in our own perceived realities. It takes courage to challenge our beliefs, especially our belief of self. I think the next time you see your damselflies, you might need to thank them for offering you such wonderful insight
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I hope that asking permission works for you, Clare. It would be great to have confirmation that it’s universally effective.
You are so right about me needing to thank these beautiful, winged jewels for not only giving me an up-close glimpse of their beauty, but for their enlightening perceptions!
Meredith…
Many good wishes to you. I believe the Earth and the details of everyday reality speak to me…signs and symbols are everywhere. Whatever damselfly symbol resonated with you the most would probably be the one with the message. I do know that kind of beauty as well.
Namaste
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Gemma, thank you for those kind wishes! I agree that signs and symbols surround us — although I also believe that those who see none have an equally valid reality, one just right for them.
Namaste, dear friend.
They are beautiful – not something we see in Oz. I don’t believe the Earth speaks directly to us – I believe we have to stop and listen to what she is saying, in her own earthy language. I’m glad though that you are coming to a realisation about boxing yourself in.
Really enjoying reading about your journey
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Merrilee, it’s funny, but until you wrote that I never envisioned a place without these little ones! Australia has so many fascinating and exotic and beautiful creatures to make up for that lack, though, from what I’ve seen over the years.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying following along on my strange ride. Thank you for the encouragement.
I love when we realize that something (or someone) is showing up in our lives for a reason. Whenever I see the metallic beauty of certain bugs, I’m thinking that’s what inspired paint colors for cars and such. And I’m glad you asked permission and that permission was granted gracefully…but I’d hardly expect anything less from such a glorious little creature.
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Electric blue definitely came from the bug kingdom. I saw a wasp with exactly that color wings the other day and thought it looked like a match for a car in the parking lot.
Permission seems to be one of those old-school etiquette details that nearly always works like a key in nature. That and gratitude.
I love Fiona’s name and that you named her that. The world around us is so incredible.
Lynn´s last blog ..Pottery bird, cozy and big hit
You’re so right, Lynn. The world is so full of riches!
She just looked like a Fiona.
Amazing story about the damselflies posing after you asked permission! Answers will surely come to someone as in tune with what is going on around her as you are. From one impatient person to another, I hope they come soon.
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Kathy, that is very kind of you. And I so hope you are right!
We impatient souls can always use solidarity.
Thad and Fiona are indeed splendid, beautiful creatures. I really love the sparkles in that first photo. Thanks to your introspective ramblings, I don’t think I’ll ever look at dragonflies or damselflies the same again. Good luck finding your patience. Sometimes it does help just to write it all out.
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Florida Girl, I know that first shot is overblown, too bright… but the flash revealed a whole ‘nother world of details that I wanted to share with everyone. Those tiny sparkles are amazing; aren’t they?
Thanks for the good luck wishes!
Bugs Bugs everywhere so which did Fiona choose
Not only man but tiny dragonflies will fight each other
for no small ones ever come to the ones that lose
Where would we be today if only the strongest resupplied?
Nice breakdown of the Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly.
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Isn’t that crazy, Ellis, that even the teeny ones are battling it out for their womenfolk? And I definitely agree with you that it’s not only the strongest who win. I was trying the other day to find a justification for red hair, genetically speaking (my family has lots of redheads), and said I couldn’t see where it would be adaptive for hunting or safety in the wild… when F. answered simply that it was pretty. And that’s enough, for sure.
Somewhere in those two male damselflies’ lineage are some pretty males with turquoise sparkles.
Dear Meredith, Your postings continue to be beautifully illustrated with photographs and full of information. I really do learn so much.
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I’m so glad, Edith. Thanks for stopping by!
I love dragonflies, so reading about the various things that they symbolise was so wonderful for me. I love how we humans ascribe meaning to pretty much anything we see and experience, and I love how this process says so much about us and allows us to grow creatively and spiritually.
Now, damselflies… I have never heard of or seen one before in my life. What curious little things they are! It’s like Talon said above: they really do have a kind of metallic beauty about them, don’t they?
Tony, I think “ascribe meaning” may be on a list of characteristics of our species.
Until a few years ago, I thought all damselflies were dragonflies. I only got educated when visiting a naturalist exhibit in a swamp in south Georgia. You may have seen one and thought it was a dragonfly, too. Or maybe not. Either way, I’m glad to have effected the introduction.
Meredith — This is a great post in so many ways. I absolutely adored the pictures of your damselflies or dragonflies. They are beautiful and I love that you were able to take these picture only when you asked permission. That’s cool. Don’t just love it when something so beautiful, but so cautious allows you to come close…I agree that there’s a certain magical message there:~)
That you looked it up and found out that they are there to remind you to look at your situation in a new way. Lucky you:~)
Aw, thank you, Sara. The most cautious creatures are the most rewarding when they allow us to come near, it’s true. And you know I believe it’s magical, with a name like “enchanted Earth.”
There are lessons to be learned everywhere in creation if we only pay attention. Creatures as beautiful as Thad and Fiona certainly help us pay attention. Lovely post!
Ginny, you’re sweet. And paying attention to nature does seem to be a key for me.
That is the sweetest post!
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Aw, Liza, what a lovely compliment! Thank you.
they totally look like their names
brandi´s last blog ..hi there.
Brandi, I’m so glad you thought so.
Hello Meredith,
First of all….your photos are just breathtaking. Secondly, I both welcome and dislike having my preconceived thoughts and notions dispelled. But, I think it is important in our journey through life. It happens to all of us and if you are wise – like you are – you embrace the opportunity to grow
Noelle / azplantlady´s last blog ..Low Temps, June GBBD and Recovery
Noelle, thank you for that! I feel so honored that you think I am even a little bit wise, my friend. I dislike it, too… but I welcome it knowing it’s necessary, just as you say. Life’s journey requires nothing less of us.
Meredith, Thank you for this new way of seeing dragonflies and damselflies. Your first shot is amazing! I love it! Your second one too. I hope things move gently for you.
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You’re so welcome, Carol. I’m happy you enjoyed the photos.
And thank you for the kind wishes. From your mouth to God’s ear…
Well said.
That first photo is amazing. Perhaps I need to be a kinder spirit and ask, as you do. My method of cursing at insects is not leading to amazing photos.
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LOL, Wendy. I would not advise cursing, no. Might be counterproductive.
Although I sometimes curse when working in the garden in the early evening and I look up and realize my skin is coated in mosquitoes, so sometimes we can’t help ourselves; right?
On the first picture, Thad looks like he is wearing a crown on his head! Very nice!
Also, congratulations on your first tomato! You did something right to get it so early!!! You are the winner!
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Tatyana, I never saw the crown! Thank you for revealing it to me.
I don’t think I did anything right with the tomato, and I’m not trying to be modest or anything: I just did everything the same as every year. I think it’s a luck thing. But it’s true I wouldn’t mind being the winner. Maybe Thad can crown me.
I’m late getting here, but I hope that’s okay, because I adore this post. Everything about it: the damselflies, the fact that you’ve named them, their little dramas as you walked through the woods with them. All of it was magical.
And to answer one of the questions posed in the second part of your post, yes, I do believe that nature speaks to us in the same way that dreams can. And, like you, when I’ve been met by special animal messengers, I look into the reasons why they may be appearing in my life: what messages do they have to tell me?
I’m glad you received what you needed to on your walk a few days ago. I hope your heart felt the love you were shown.
Beautiful post.
Chania Girl´s last blog ..Moments of Eternity
Chania, you’re not late at all! Besides, we don’t follow a set schedule here.
You are so sweet. I appreciate all those kind words. And I’m glad someone else sees the natural world as speaking to us just as dreams do. Thank you for reminding me to notice the love I was shown that day — and always, really!
I so enjoy the magical way you present these little creatures. You present another world that is always there, but we must slow our pace to enjoy it. Thank you for your creative insight.
Thanks, Carolyn. It’s true about needing to slow down to appreciate what is right there in front of us!
I will try this on the squirrels and blue birds. Fingers crossed! And those dragonflies were just gorgeous. I love that they let you photograph them so we could appreciate their beauty too.
Sending hugs as you navigate this bit of terrain.
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