Year in review: New finds in 2014 (odonates)

In addition to several “New discoveries in 2014,” I spotted several species of odonates in 2014 that were new finds for my “life list,” as well as a few first-time sightings of either a male or female for familiar species of dragonflies.

Ashy Clubtail dragonfly (male)

This is my first confirmed spotting of an Ashy Clubtail dragonfly (Gomphus lividus).

02 May 2014 | Meadowood Recreation Area

Common Baskettail dragonfly (male)

This is my first confirmed spotting of a male Common Baskettail dragonfly (Epitheca cynosura). I have seen a few females in the past.

02 May 2014 | Meadowood Recreation Area

Bar-winged Skimmer dragonfly (young male)

This is my first spotting of a Bar-winged Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula axilena).

31 May 2014 | Huntley Meadows Park

Painted Skimmer dragonflies (male, female)

Although I had seen one Painted Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula semifasciata) in the past, these individuals are among the first ones I photographed.

Male | 06 June 2014 | Huntley Meadows Park

Female | 23 May 2014 | Huntley Meadows Park

Swamp Darner dragonfly (female, oviposition)

I have seen lots of Swamp Darner dragonflies (Epiaeschna heros) in the past, but it’s challenging to identify their gender on the wing. I photographed one perching male on 04 June 2012. The following individual is one of the first confirmed females that I have spotted.

02 June 2014 | Huntley Meadows Park

Spot-winged Glider dragonfly (female)

This is the first confirmed female Spot-winged Glider dragonfly (Pantala hymenaea) that I have spotted.

15 July 2014 | Beacon of Groveton

Eastern Pondhawk dragonflies (mating pair, in wheel)

This mating pair of Eastern Pondhawk dragonflies (Erythemis simplicicollis) is one of the first times I was quick enough to photograph a pair “in wheel.” This image is also among the first photographs taken using my Fujifilm X-T1 digital camera, 55-200mm zoom lens (88-320mm, 35mm equivalent), and Fujifilm Shoe Mount Flash EF-42 in TTL mode.

20 August 2014 | Huntley Meadows Park

Slender Spreadwing damselfly (male)

I have seen many female Slender Spreadwing damselflies (Lestes rectangularis) in the past, but this is the first male I spotted.

28 September 2014 | Huntley Meadows Park

Shadow Darner dragonfly (male)

Although I have spotted Shadow Darner dragonflies (Aeshna umbrosa) in the past, this is one of the first individuals I photographed.

24 October 2014 | Huntley Meadows Park

Related Resources:

• Ashy Clubtail dragonfly (male)
• Common Baskettail dragonfly (male)
• Bar-winged Skimmer dragonfly (young male)
• Painted Skimmer dragonfly (male); Painted Skimmer dragonfly (female)
• Swamp Darner dragonfly (female, oviposition)
• Spot-winged Glider dragonfly (female)
• Eastern Pondhawk dragonflies (mating pair, in wheel)
• Slender Spreadwing damselfly (male)
• Shadow Darner dragonfly (male)

Editor’s Note: This is Part 2 in a three-part series — a retrospective look at 2014.

• Part 1. Year in review: New discoveries in 2014
• Part 3. Year in review: New finds in 2014 (non-odonates)

Copyright © 2014 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

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Tags: Aeshna umbrosa, Ashy Clubtail dragonfly, Bar-winged Skimmer dragonfly, Clubtail Family, Common Baskettail dragonfly, Darner Family, discovery, Eastern Pondhawk dragonfly, Emerald Family, Epiaeschna heros, Epitheca cynosura, Erythemis simplicicollis, Family Lestidae (Spreadwings), female, Gomphus lividus, in wheel, Lestes rectangularis, Libellula axilena, Libellula semifasciata, male, mating pair, Painted Skimmer dragonfly, Pantala hymenaea, Shadow Darner dragonfly, Skimmer Family, Slender Spreadwing damselfly, Spot-winged Glider dragonfly, Swamp Darner dragonfly