Alright, I've now seen three dragons and the last two (the non-scripted ones) have done as follows...

I hear them and locate them but they never, ever attack me. They fly around looking for NPCs, when they do they start to attack and then I kill them. But they have yet to come after me. They have flown around in circles over my head but never attacked. I have sat there and literally watched one fly around in the sky for 20 minutes and then it finally flew off. Aren't they supposed to attack me?

Just had another one. Flew around me for 15 or 20 minutes, never attacked, flew off. Odd.

Yep. I shot all of my arrows into the sky, the darn thing didn't even notice. I went back to chasing butterflies.

I've had one ignore me, but I guess they like how I smell because they otherwise land right on top of me.

that is cause you are playing it on easy mode maybe ??

No, default.

try highering the difficulty!

I think their AI just has varying levels of aggression, or maybe they just only focus on one or two things at a time? For instance, I was wandering about and suddenly found two dragons circling above me. They essentially circled each other, perhaps sizing each other up, but completely ignored me. Several others, however, have chased me to the point where I've had to go hiding in the nearest cave to get away (I'm not quite a hardcoe dragon slayer yet ).

They always attack me and I've fought about 12 now, each one went straight for me as soon as I got near.

Have yet to run into two at the same time though closest I've got is a generic dragon and a naned dragon being revived a few hundred yards from it.

Maybe they're.. you know.. friendly dragons?

Well they won't come down if there's not enough clear land right next to you and your position might also affect their flying behavior

Trying shouting at it

I think a lot of it has to do with your position. I was running around outside of Riften when my first random dragon came for me. I was in an area thick with trees and it just circled above me. I ran out into a clearing and then it finally landed.

Try electrocuting them. That usually gets their attention.

Lucky ones, I haven't met a dragon yet.

I was wandering around talking to some guards on the edge of Whiterun when they suddenly whipped out their bows. I looked around and suddenly a dragon. I squeed, since this was my first non-scripted dragon fight; the three of us peppered it with arrows until it finally dropped to the ground, roaring in defiance.

Out came my Skyforge steel sword and fine steel shield in a heartbeat. Being a Dunmer, I laughed at its fiery breath and charged, hewing without mercy...

...and scared the thing off?

Seriously, it was pretty badly hurt and I didn't figure it would have been able to fly, but it did. I swear I could hear it going "trolololol" all the while as it circled above. Finally, it landed again, but I think it despawned before I could get to it.

Fine, whatever. I still have plenty of arrows, though it would have been nice to snag a soul. Ah well.

So I go to leave again, and guess what? Another dragon, just flying around all "U mad bro?"

Bastard didn't even land this time. -.-

Oh, and this isn't a complaint or a rant; I love the AI. I just think it's kind of funny how this dragon was basically trolling me.

well here's a theory, dragons only land if u walk near a spot where the dragon has been programmed to land. so if u dont hit that spot it will only circle arround.

They didn't script the dragons in that way, I don't think.

I had one get punted by a giant.

These dragons might be the ones you can follow back to word walls where they will then fight you? I've had that happen twice.

My character is level 12 and I still have not seen a dragon.

Crowded area? i have only had this happen at a daedric shrine that was really closed in the AI had no where it could land so i think it just flew around and left after it timed out or something.

you need to complete 2-3 missions in the main quest to get dragons to start spawning. you also wont run into many if you fast travel a lot. when im out collecting herbs or souls i run into a lot