Posts Tagged ‘Calico Pennant dragonfly’
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 I was able to confirm the gender by looking at two other unpublished photos that show her terminal appendages.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.
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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 »
September 6, 2019
There’s a feeling I get
When I look to the west
And my spirit is crying for leaving.
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 mature male, as indicated by his red coloration, the secondary genitalia (hamules) located on the underside of abdominal segments two-three (2-3), and terminal appendages.
Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), hamules, male, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Odonart, Painted Turtle Pond, 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 »
August 13, 2018
A Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) was spotted at Painted Turtle Pond, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA.
This individual is a female, as indicated by her terminal appendages.
Adult flight period
The adult flight period for Calico Pennant is from 11 May to 23 September (peaks in June-July), according to records for Northern Virginia maintained by Kevin Munroe, former manager at Huntley Meadows Park. In my experience, mid-August is past peak in Northern Virginia so I was happy to see a beautiful Calico female.
According to records for the Commonwealth of Virginia maintained by Dr. Steve Roble, a zoologist at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, 26 April to 27 October is the adult flight period for Calico Pennant.
Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), female, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Painted Turtle Pond, terminal appendages
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, education, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ150, wildlife photography | 3 Comments »
April 9, 2018
The Backstory
A Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) evuvia was collected by Sue and John Gregoire at Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory. For the last 13 years, Sue and John have closely monitored the annual emergence of a large population of C. elisa at their farm pond.
The preceding image is a composite of 12 photos; the following image is a composite of 10 photos. My goal is to shoot the fewest number of photos (using a relatively small aperture such as f/18) that will show the entire specimen in focus when the photo set is focus-stacked to create a composite image. The number of photos required for each composite image varies depending upon the f/stop and the subject, among other factors.
Tech Tips
The following equipment was used to shoot all of the photos for both composite images: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Kenko 20mm macro automatic extension tube; Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro lens (set for manual focus); Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode; and Canon 580 EX- and Canon 580EX II Speedlites in “Slave” mode.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the composite image by “round-tripping” with Apple Aperture.
Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, exuvia, focus stacking, gear talk, high-speed sync, Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon 580EX Speedlite, Canon EF 100mm Macro lens, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, digital photography, dragonflies, extension tubes, How To, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 2 Comments »
April 7, 2018
Sometime during the late 50s or early 60s, my father bought a new car. That was a big deal in our family. My family was poor, although I didn’t realize it when I was a young boy. We couldn’t afford a new car very often. Anyway, I don’t remember many details about the car other than it was a sky blue Plymouth with tail fins. Big tail fins! For some reason, the following odonate exuvia reminds me of the tail fins on my father’s Plymouth automobile. Go figure.
The Backstory
A Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) evuvia was collected by Sue and John Gregoire at Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory. For the last 13 years, Sue and John have closely monitored the annual emergence of a large population of C. elisa at their farm pond.
Tech Tips
The preceding image is a composite of 11 photos taken using the following equipment: Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital camera, in manual mode; Kenko 20mm macro automatic extension tube; Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro lens (set for manual focus); Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite set for “Master” mode; and Canon 580 EX- and Canon 580EX II Speedlites in “Slave” mode.
Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 was used to create the composite image by “round-tripping” with Apple Aperture, including a few detours in my experimental workflow. I made a lot of mistakes along the way. For example, I was so focused on the technical side of the photoshoot that I never noticed the specimen isn’t posed well. (I wish there were some space between the front leg and the face mask.) Nonetheless, I think the final output turned out OK.
Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, exuvia, focus stacking, gear talk, high-speed sync, Kestrel Haven Migration Observatory
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon 580EX Speedlite, Canon EF 100mm Macro lens, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon MT-26EX-RT Macro Twin Lite, digital photography, dragonflies, extension tubes, How To, macro photography, natural science, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 1 Comment »
December 28, 2017
There’s always more to discover/learn! My odonate-related new discoveries in 2017 are presented in reverse-chronological order.
Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly
A Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora filosa) was spotted at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA. This individual is one of several males spotted during a period of a week-or-so in mid-September 2017.
Immature male Calico Pennant
A Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) was spotted at Painted Turtle Pond, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA. This individual is an immature male. Notice its coloration is similar to female Calico Pennants.
Allegheny River Cruiser dragonfly
An Allegheny River Cruiser (Macromia alleghaniensis) was netted by Mike Blust at Hardware River Wildlife Management Area, Fluvanna County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male.
Harpoon Clubtail dragonfly
A Harpoon Clubtail dragonfly (Phanogomphus descriptus) was spotted at “Straight Fork,” Highland County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male. Sincere thanks to fellow Virginians Karen Kearney and Mike Boatwright for guiding me to this unique high-elevation habitat.
It’s worth noting that I saw two more new species during the same trip: Riffle Snaketail (Ophiogomphus carolus); and Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta).
Those who know me well are familiar with one of many “Walterisms”: “I haven’t ‘seen’ something until I have photographed it.” My rationale is two-fold: 1) A photograph verifies a sighting. 2) The detail visible in a good photograph exceeds the acuity of the human eye. Suffice it to say I saw two other species but haven’t seen them. Makes sense to me!
Swift River Cruiser dragonfly
A Swift River Cruiser dragonfly (Macromia illinoiensis) was spotted at Riverbend Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is an emergent/teneral female.
Spine-crowned Clubtail dragonfly
A Spine-crowned Clubtail dragonfly (Hylogomphus abbreviatus) spotted along Bull Run at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male. A female was spotted on the same day at a nearby location.
Epitheca cynosura exuvia
A Common Baskettail dragonfly (Epitheca cynosura) exuvia was collected at Painted Turtle Pond, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA.
Epitheca princeps exuvia
A Prince Baskettail dragonfly (Epitheca princeps) exuvia was collected from an unknown location. This specimen was on temporary loan from Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA.
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Allegheny River Cruiser dragonfly, Bull Run, Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, Common Baskettail dragonfly, emergence, Epitheca cynosura, Epitheca princeps, exuvia, Family Corduliidae (Emeralds), Family Gomphidae (Clubtails), Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), Family Macromiidae (Cruisers), Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly, Fluvanna County, Hardware River Wildlife Management Area, Harpoon Clubtail dragonfly, Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, Highland County, Huntley Meadows Park, Hylogomphus abbreviatus, immature male, Macromia alleghaniensis, Macromia illinoiensis, male, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Painted Turtle Pond, Phanogomphus descriptus, Prince Baskettail dragonfly, retrospective, Riverbend Park, Somatochlora filosa, Spine-crowned Clubtail dragonfly, Swift River Cruiser dragonfly, teneral
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX II Speedlite, Canon 580EX Speedlite, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, digital photography, dragonflies, extension tubes, Fujifilm EF-X500, Fujifilm X-T1, macro photography, natural science, Nissin i40, Panasonic DMC-FZ150, Photoshop, photowalking, Raynox DCR-250, wildlife photography | 2 Comments »
July 1, 2017
A Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) was spotted during a photowalk at Painted Turtle Pond, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA.
This individual is a mature female, as evidenced by her terminal appendages and yellow coloration.
In my opinion, the coloration of female Calico Pennants is more attractive than male Calicos.
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), mature female, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Painted Turtle Pond, terminal appendages
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ150, photowalking, wildlife photography | Leave a Comment »
June 29, 2017
Several Calico Pennant dragonflies (Celithemis elisa) were spotted during a photowalk at Painted Turtle Pond, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA.
These individuals are mature males, as evidenced by their terminal appendages and red coloration.
The next photo is my favorite in this set…
And the last photo is a close second-favorite.
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), mature male, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Painted Turtle Pond, terminal appendages
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ150, photowalking, wildlife photography | 3 Comments »
June 27, 2017
A Calico Pennant dragonfly (Celithemis elisa) was spotted at Painted Turtle Pond, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge (OBNWR), Prince William County, Virginia USA.
Mature adult female Calico Pennants are yellow; mature adult male Calico Pennants are red. So the following individual must be female, right? Wrong!
This individual is an immature male, as indicated by his terminal appendages and yellow coloration.
Male dragonflies have three terminal appendages, collectively called “claspers,” that are used to grab and hold female dragonflies during mating: an upper pair of cerci (“superior appendages”); and a lower unpaired epiproct (“inferior appendage”).
(See a full-size version of the original photo, without annotation.)
In contrast, female dragonflies have a pair of cerci (superior appendages) that have little or no function.
(See a full-size version of the original photo, without annotation.)
Color can be a deceptive field mark. Immature males appear similar to immature females of the same species (and some mature females) for many types of dragonflies that display sexual dimorphism. This is true for many members of Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), such as Calico Pennant. Terminal appendages can be used to differentiate gender for many species of dragonflies.
Related Resource: Odonate Terminal Appendages — single-topic field guides for dragonflies and damselflies featuring both text and annotated photos.
Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, cerci, claspers, epiproct, Family Libellulidae (Skimmers), female, immature male, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Painted Turtle Pond, terminal appendages
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, education, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ150, Photoshop, wildlife photography | 8 Comments »
September 22, 2016
I visited Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge (OBNWR), Prince William County, Virginia USA for the first time on 18 June 2016. I found the Calico Pennant dragonflies (Celithemis elisa) that I was looking for at Painted Turtle Pond; I was surprised when I spotted one or more Unicorn Clubtail dragonflies (Arigomphus villosipes) at the same pond!
All of the individuals in this gallery are males, as indicated by their unique terminal appendages: the epiproct is a large “plate” that spans both cerci.
Like all male clubtail dragonflies, the hind wings of male Unicorn Clubtails are “indented” near the body; this distinctive field marker isn’t shown well by any of the photos in this gallery except the following shot.
The juxtaposition of man-made and natural objects is visually appealing in the next photo.
Related Resources:
Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.
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Tags:Arigomphus villosipes, Calico Pennant dragonfly, Celithemis elisa, cerci, Clubtail Family, epiproct, male, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Painted Turtle Pond, terminal appendages, Unicorn Clubtail dragonfly, wildlife photography
Posted in Aperture, Canon 580EX Speedlite, digital photography, dragonflies, natural science, Panasonic DMC-FZ150 | Leave a Comment »
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