2016 was the “Year of the Clubtail dragonfly.” Unofficially, that is. Or maybe it only seems like I saw a lot more clubtail dragonflies than in past years, including four new species for my life-list of odonates. Not that I actually maintain a list — it’s more like a memory file in my brain.
There were three other non-odonate “firsts” this year, one of which was a long time coming! My life-list additions in 2016 are presented in reverse-chronological order.
Shadow Darner dragonfly
Shadow Darner dragonfly (female), posted on 18 October 2016.
Although I’ve seen many male Shadow Darners, this is the first female I photographed.
14 OCT 2016 | JMAWR | Shadow Darner (female heteromorph)
Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly
Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly (male), posted on 26 September 2016.
I spent a lot of time unsuccessfully looking for Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonflies at Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge. Soon after I surrendered in defeat, a Russet-tipped Clubtail found me. Imagine my surprise and delight when I spotted one at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge (JMAWR). Whoa, didn’t see that one coming!
22 SEP 2016 | JMAWR | Russet-tipped Clubtail (male)
Clearwing Moths
Clearwing Moths (Genus Hemaris), published on 04 October 2016.
21 SEP 2016 | OBNWR | Hummingbird Clearwing moth (H. thysbe)
Dusky Dancer damselfly
Dusky Dancer damselflies (mating pair), published on 12 September 2016.
29 AUG 2016 | Chapel Road Park | Dusky Dancer (mating pair)
Black-shouldered Spinyleg dragonfly
Black-shouldered Spinyleg (male), published on 11 August 2016.
04 AUG 2016 | Riverbend Park | Black-shouldered Spinyleg (male)
Eastern Ringtail dragonfly
Eastern Ringtail dragonflies (males), published on 13 August 2016.
04 AUG 2016 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)
Powdered Dancer damselfly
Powdered Dancer (males, female), published on 23 August 2016.
04 AUG 2016 | Riverbend Park | Powdered Dancer (male)
Swift Setwing dragonfly
Making new friends, published on 10 July 2016.
26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)
Dragonhunter dragonfly
Dragonhunter dragonfly (female), published on 24 June 2016.
This is the first female Dragonhunter I photographed.
21 June 2016 | Dragonhunter dragonfly (female)
Calico Pennant dragonfly
Calico Pennant dragonflies (males), published on 20 June 2016.
18 JUN 2016 | OBNWR | Calico Pennant (male)
Prince Baskettail dragonfly
Changing of the guard, published on 16 June 2016.
Although I’ve seen many Prince Baskettail dragonflies, this one is the first I photographed. Prince Baskettails are fliers, not perchers.
14 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Prince Baskettail (male, in flight)
Slender Bluet damselfly
Slender Bluet damselflies (mating pair), published on 24 October 2016.
14 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Slender Bluet (mating pair, “in heart”)
Common Sanddragon dragonfly
Common Sanddragon dragonfly (emergent male), published on 08 June 2016.
Although this was the second emergent dragonfly I saw during 2016, this was the first time I was able to observe the entire metamorphosis from beginning to end.
01 JUN 2016 | WP/DC | Common Sanddragon nymph/dragonfly
Cobra Clubtail dragonfly
Cobra Clubtail claspers, published on 19 May 2016.
16 MAY 2016 | Riverbend Park | Cobra Clubtail (male)
Polyphemus Silkmoth
Polyphemus Silkmoth, published on 21 April 2016.
A Polyphemus Silkmoth (Antheraea polyphemus) was spotted along the Hike-Bike Trail at Huntley Meadows Park.
18 APR 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Polyphemus Silkmoth
Spring Peeper frog
Spring Peeper, published on 01 May 2016.
Although I’ve heard Spring Peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) every spring for many years, this is the first one I saw.
15 APR 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Spring Peeper
Editor’s Note: The following location codes are used in some photo captions, shown above.
- HMP = Huntley Meadows Park
- JMAWR = Jackson Mile Abbott Wetland Refuge (#24 on the map)
- OBNWR = Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- WP/DC = Wickford Park/Dogue Creek
Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags: Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge, Dogue Creek, Hike-Bike Trail, Huntley Meadows Park, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, retrospective, Riverbend Park, Wickford Park, wildlife photography
walter sanford's photoblog 
December 28, 2016 at 4:35 am |
Amazing images! The addition of the moths are marvellous. The colours and forms are wonderful!
December 28, 2016 at 10:21 am |
Thanks, Pete! I’ve seen most of the butterflies and moths that are common where I live, otherwise I would have included more of them.
December 28, 2016 at 5:18 am |
It’s going to be hard to top this impressive list in 2017, but I am confident that you will be out there trying to do so.
December 28, 2016 at 10:24 am |
I’m using the downtime during the “off-season” to make plans for next season — there are many elusive beauties on my wish list!