Archive for September, 2019
September 30, 2019
The following images show the third Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora filosa) that I photographed during a photowalk on 18 September 2019 at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA.
This individual is a male, as indicated by his “indented” hind wings and terminal appendages. The following photo shows both field marks clearly.
Personality
Do dragonflies have personality? Who knows? I’ll say this: Some individuals within the same species seem to behave in ways that are distinctly observable and slightly atypical.
For example, this guy was hyperactive. He flew from perch-to-perch as though he were searching for the perfect perch. After brief stops at several spots, he disappeared into the tree canopy.
Before Mike Powell and I spotted the male featured in this post, we watched another male patrol back-and-forth between us for more than 30 minutes without landing! Mike and I were standing along a dirt/gravel road, about 20-30 yards apart. We had a lot of fun “redirecting” the dragonfly in the opposite direction toward each other. Several times the dragonfly “pulled up” in front of me and appeared to be thinking about landing on my head, but we were never so lucky. Eventually, the male must have tired of the game because he simply vanished!
Perhaps I’m guilty of personification of dragonflies, but I think they have lots of personality!
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:18SEP2019, Family Corduliidae (Emeralds), Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly, male, Somatochlora filosa, terminal appendages
Posted in Aperture, Canon 430EX II Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, Lightroom, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Photoshop, photowalking, wildlife photography | Leave a Comment »
September 27, 2019
A mini-swarm of Common Green Darner dragonflies (Anax junius) was spotted at a dry vernal pool, Old Colchester Park and Preserve (OCPP), Fairfax County, Virginia USA. A few Black Saddlebags dragonflies were mixed in with the swarm of A. junius.
Some of the dragonflies were hawking smaller insects; others were resting on vegetation. It’s probable members of the swarm had stopped to rest and refuel before continuing their southward migration.
The following Common Green Darner dragonfly was perched in a bed of dried cattails.
This individual is a young male, as indicated by his terminal appendages. Notice there are points on the tips of his cerci, as shown in the full-size version of the preceding photo. Female cerci are pointless, both literally and figuratively.
Related Resources
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:Anax junius, cerci, Common Green Darner dragonfly, Family Aeshnidae (Darners), migratory, Old Colchester Park and Preserve, terminal appendages, vernal pool, young male
Posted in Aperture, Canon 430EX II Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Photoshop, photowalking, wildlife photography | Leave a Comment »
September 25, 2019
The following gallery shows the second Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora filosa) that I photographed during a photowalk on 18 September 2019 at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA.
This individual is a male, as indicated by his “indented” hind wings and terminal appendages. The following photo shows both field marks clearly.
Male Fine-lined Emerald dragonflies typically patrol back-and-forth along relatively short segments, about waist high; in this case, they were patrolling along dirt/gravel roads in the forest. They perch about head high on tall grasses or bare tree branches.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:18SEP2019, Family Corduliidae (Emeralds), Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly, male, Somatochlora filosa, terminal appendages
Posted in Aperture, Canon 430EX II Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, Lightroom, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Photoshop, photowalking, wildlife photography | 2 Comments »
September 23, 2019
A Viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) was spotted during a photowalk at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA.
Viceroy butterflies look similar to Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus).
It can be distinguished from the Monarch by its smaller size and the post-median black line that runs across the veins on the hindwing. Source Credit: Viceroy (butterfly), Wikipedia.
The Backstory
I noticed the Viceroy butterfly as I was searching intensively for Fine-lined Emerald dragonflies (S. filosa). The juxtaposition of complementary colors was too perfect to pass up, so I stopped to shoot a couple of photos. The photo “feels like” a harbinger of fall, despite the persistence of late-summer in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States of America.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:Danaus plexippus, Limenitis archippus, Monarch butterfly, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Viceroy butterfly
Posted in Aperture, butterflies and moths, Canon 430EX II Speedlite, digital photography, Lightroom, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Photoshop, photowalking, weather, wildlife photography | 1 Comment »
September 20, 2019
A Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora filosa) was spotted during a photowalk at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA. Several specimens were spotted along two dirt/gravel roads at the site; this is the first one I saw.
This individual is a male, as indicated by his “indented” hind wings and terminal appendages.
Adult Flight Period
According to records for the Commonwealth of Virginia maintained by Dr. Steve Roble, Staff Zoologist at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, the adult flight period for S. filosa is from July 10 to October 15. The species is classified as rare to uncommon. Its habitat is “boggy streams, swamps, and marshes.”
Bear in mind, Dr. Roble’s records are for the entire state, therefore the adult flight period for S. filosa seems to be longer than it is in reality. The adult flight period for a single site is probably shorter. For example, according to records for Northern Virginia maintained by Kevin Munroe, former manager of Huntley Meadows Park, the adult flight period for Fine-lined Emerald is August 23 to October 04.
Rare to Uncommon
A distribution map of official records for Fine-lined Emerald helps to illustrate its classification as a rare to uncommon species of odonate.
Source Credit: Abbott, J.C. 2006-2019. OdonataCentral: An online resource for the distribution and identification of Odonata. Available at http://www.odonatacentral.org. (Accessed: September 19, 2019).
Key: blue dots = Dot Map Project; green dots = Accepted records; yellow dots = Pending records.
Related Resource: Posts tagged ‘Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly’
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:18SEP2019, Family Corduliidae (Emeralds), Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly, habitat specialist, male, odonate habitat, Somatochlora filosa, terminal appendages
Posted in Aperture, Canon 430EX II Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, education, Lightroom, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Photoshop, photowalking, wildlife photography | 2 Comments »
September 18, 2019
An Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (Perithemis tenera) was observed during a photowalk with Michael Powell at Painted Turtle Pond, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA.
This individual is a male, as indicated by his orange coloration and terminal appendages.
Eastern Amberwing is one of the “boys of summer.” By mid-September, the transition from the summer species of odonates to fall species is well underway.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:Eastern Amberwing dragonfly, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), male, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Painted Turtle Pond, Perithemis tenera
Posted in Aperture, Canon 430EX II Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, Lightroom, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Photoshop, photowalking, wildlife photography | Leave a Comment »
September 16, 2019
Look closely at the following photo — there’s a dragonfly in there somewhere!
A Lancet Clubtail dragonfly (Phanogomphus exilis) was spotted by Gary Myers at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA. The dragonfly is perched on leaf litter in a seepage area upstream from a small pond.
Female and male terminal appendages
This individual is a female, as indicated by her rounded hind wings and terminal appendages. (Notice the “bonus bug” to the right of the label for cercus.)
Contrast the appearance of those female field marks with males of the same species.
Related Resource: Odonate Terminal Appendages — single-topic field guides for dragonflies and damselflies featuring both text and annotated photos.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:cerci, Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), female, Lancet Clubtail dragonfly, Phanogomphus exilis, Prince William County, terminal appendages, Virginia
Posted in Aperture, Canon 430EX II Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, Lightroom, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 2 Comments »
September 13, 2019
I took some quick-and-dirty test shots using a new piece of photo gear in combination with some old gear. The focus (no pun intended) was more about testing the camera rig and less about posing and lighting the subject perfectly.
~16mm (86mm, 35mm equivalent) | ISO 100 | f/4.5 | 1/400 s | -2.66 ev
An exuvia from an unknown species of odonate was collected by Joe Johnston on 17 July 2019 along Aquia Creek, Stafford County, Virginia USA. This specimen is definitely from the Family Gomphidae (Clubtails) and is probably a Russet-tipped Clubtail (Stylurus plagiatus).
Tech Tips
The macro photograph in this post was taken using my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 superzoom digital camera, Raynox DCR-250 close-up filter, Godox X2To/p wireless flash trigger for Olympus and Panasonic (New!), and a Godox TT685O Thinklite Flash for Olympus/Panasonic Cameras (manual mode). The close-up filter screws onto the front of the camera lens using a 52-43mm step-down ring.
Related Resources
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:Aquia Creek, exuvia, Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly, Stafford County, Stylurus plagiatus
Posted in Aperture, digital photography, dragonflies, Godox TT685o/p, Godox X2To/p, How To, Lightroom, macro photography, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Raynox DCR-250, wildlife photography | Leave a Comment »
September 11, 2019
Identification of tan damselflies, such as the one shown below, can be a source of great frustration. Many species of tan damselflies look virtually identical: sometimes they are immature females and males; sometimes they are adult females. Very confusing!
This individual is a female Blue-ringed Dancer damselfly (Argia sedula), spotted during a photowalk with Michael Powell along Popes Head Creek at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (HORP), Fairfax County, Virginia USA.
The Backstory
Mike Powell and I explored a segment of Popes Head Creek near the confluence with Bull Run. We saw only three types of damselflies along the rocky stream: Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis), Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula); and Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta). This individual doesn’t look like either a female or male for any of those species. Stumped, I was. So I consulted Dr. Michael Moore for help in identifying this specimen.
This is a female Blue-ringed Dancer. They are quite variable, but usually have the last three abdominal segments pale like this [one]. Also, I think there is a very slight amber tint to the wings which is typical of female Blue-rings. Source Credit: Dr. Michael Moore, a professor (retired) in the Department of Biological Sciences at University of Delaware and odonate expert extraordinaire. Dr. Moore’s new Web site is a treasure trove of helpful resources.
Sincere thanks, Dr. Moore!
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:Argia sedula, Blue-ringed Dancer damselfly, Family Coenagrionidae, female, Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, Narrow-winged Damselflies, Popes Head Creek
Posted in Aperture, Canon 430EX II Speedlite, damselflies, digital photography, Lightroom, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Photoshop, photowalking, wildlife photography | Leave a Comment »
September 9, 2019
A Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) was observed during a photowalk with Michael Powell at Painted Turtle Pond, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA.
This individual is a female, as indicated by her yellow abdomen and tan pterostigma. Gender identification based upon coloration alone is speculative at best, especially for this species of odonate. I was able to confirm the gender by looking at two other unpublished photos that show her terminal appendages.
Related Resource: Odonate Terminal Appendages — single-topic field guides for dragonflies and damselflies featuring both text and annotated photos.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
Tags:Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), female, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Painted Turtle Pond, pterostigma, terminal appendages
Posted in Aperture, Canon 430EX II Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, education, Lightroom, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ300, Photoshop, photowalking, wildlife photography | Leave a Comment »
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