The biggest dragonfly I have ever seen (about 3 inches long!) was perched on one of my succulents this morning! As it remained for quite some time, and was very patient about me moving the plant around to get a better angle, I decided it should have an album all to itself! Such a beautiful insect!

Update!!!! A week after I took these photos, I found out that this giant dragonfly is called Petalura Gigantea. It is listed as an endangered species and is rarely seen. It is unknown in my local area and, in fact, is under threat in the few areas it is known to exist. So I consider it a huge privlege to have seen and photographed TWO of them in my own backyard!! One a male and the other a female. Apparently the larvae live under the ground in burrows for many years before emerging as the adult and then live only for one Summer.