My dragonfly macro photo of a Halloween pennant at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge was selected for CNN’s “The Week in 35 Photos,” published June 4, 2026. The image was photographed at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge near Boynton Beach, Florida, on June 1, 2026, using a Sony A1 with the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS lens and a 1.4x teleconverter for a total magnification of 2x.
Dragonfly Macro Photo: The Halloween Pennant at Loxahatchee
The Halloween pennant (Celithemis eponina) is one of Florida’s most distinctive dragonflies. Its common name comes from its orange and brown banded wings, which flutter in the wind like a pennant flag, with coloring that evokes the classic palette of the October holiday.
This dragonfly macro photo was made at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, the northernmost remaining remnant of the historic Everglades ecosystem. The refuge covers 145,188 acres of wet prairies, sawgrass ridges, sloughs, tree islands, cattail communities, and a 400-acre cypress swamp, and is one of the most productive locations in South Florida for dragonfly photography, with dozens of species present throughout the year.
Halloween pennants are perch hunters. They select exposed stems or tips of vegetation with an open view of the surrounding area and return to the same perch repeatedly between hunting flights. This predictable behavior makes them among the most cooperative subjects for dragonfly macro photography. Unlike many other odonates that rarely settle, a Halloween pennant will often hold a perch for several minutes at a time, allowing for careful composition and precise focus.
Camera Gear: Sony A1, Sony FE 100mm Macro GM OSS, and 1.4x Teleconverter
This dragonfly macro photo was shot with the Sony A1 paired with the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS lens and a 1.4x teleconverter, giving a total magnification of 2x. The Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS has a native maximum magnification of 1.4x, and with the 1.4x teleconverter attached that rises to 2x. At that magnification, the Halloween pennant fills the frame completely, rendering the wing venation, compound eyes, and body texture with a level of detail that is only possible at true macro distances.
The Sony A1’s high-resolution sensor and fast autofocus system are well suited to insect macro work in the field. At 2x magnification, depth of field is extremely shallow, and the ability to acquire and hold focus on a small subject at close range is critical. The 100mm focal length provides enough working distance to approach a perched dragonfly without disturbing it, while the 1.4x teleconverter pushes the effective magnification beyond what the lens achieves alone.
For photographers looking to replicate this kind of result, the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS with a 1.4x teleconverter is one of the most practical ways to achieve 2x magnification in the field with full autofocus intact.
Why Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Is Outstanding for Dragonfly Macro Photography
The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is part of the larger Everglades ecosystem and is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Its 145,188 acres of wet prairies, sawgrass ridges, sloughs, tree islands, cattail communities, and cypress swamp create ideal habitat for a wide diversity of dragonfly and damselfly species.
Species diversity. The refuge supports an exceptional number of odonate species across its varied habitats. From large darners patrolling open water to small spreadwings resting in emergent grass, Loxahatchee offers productive subjects at every scale.
Accessible perimeter trails. The levee trails along the refuge boundaries put photographers at water level with the marsh edge, exactly where dragonflies hunt and perch. Subjects are often at close range and easy to approach.
Year-round activity. Florida’s climate means dragonfly season never truly ends. Loxahatchee has productive odonate activity in every month of the year, with peak diversity from April through October.
Open light. The open marsh landscape provides directional morning and afternoon light without the obstructions of a forested environment. Early morning visits, when dragonflies are cool and slow to move, offer particularly good conditions for close approach and macro work.
Tips for Dragonfly Macro Photography at Loxahatchee
Arrive early. Dragonflies are cold-blooded and less active in the cool of the morning. In the first hour after sunrise they move slowly, hold perches longer, and tolerate a close approach far better than later in the day.
Look for perch hunters. Species like the Halloween pennant, blue dasher, and eastern pondhawk return to the same perches repeatedly. Identify a perch a subject is using, position yourself for the best light and background, and let the dragonfly come back to you.
Use a macro lens with a teleconverter. As demonstrated in this CNN image, the Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS with a 1.4x teleconverter achieves 2x magnification in the field with full autofocus. This combination gives you working distance from the subject while capturing fine detail at a scale that smaller magnifications cannot match.
Watch the background. The open water and sky at Loxahatchee create a clean, uncluttered background behind a perched dragonfly. A low shooting angle, level with or slightly below the perch, maximizes this effect.
Focus on the eyes. With dragonfly macro photography, depth of field is extremely shallow. Focus on the compound eyes first. A sharp-eyed dragonfly with soft wings reads as a successful image. A sharp-winged dragonfly with soft eyes does not.
Dragonfly Macro Photo at Loxahatchee: Part of an Ongoing Florida Series
This CNN dragonfly macro photo publication follows recent features in The Guardian’s “Week in Wildlife,” published May 29, 2026, where four of my photographs were selected, including the leading image that opened the entire gallery. All four Guardian images were photographed in Florida.
Read about the Guardian Week in Wildlife feature.
See More of My Published Work
This CNN feature joins published work in The Guardian, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, BBC, TIME, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and many others.
About Ronen Tivony
Ronen Tivony is a wildlife photojournalist, Florida Master Naturalist, and photography workshop leader based in Florida. He leads wildlife photography workshops and tours across South Florida, including at the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge and throughout Palm Beach County.
To book a workshop or inquire about private photography instruction, contact Ronen here or call/text 786-540-9194.