The pond area is home to several
kinds of dragonflies.
The females lay their eggs on a plant in the water,
or just drop them into the water.
The eggs hatch after about a week,
when the creatures are called 'nymphs'.
Dragonfly nymphs live in the water while they grow. The length of this portion of the
dragonfly life cycle is variable.
If the nymphs are not grown enough at
beginning of winter they will remain
in the water until spring, often beneath ice.
They feed actively and grow all winter
to emerge as adults in spring.
This is a dragonfly called 12-Spotted Skimmer, perched on a reed top in early August.
