Top Pix of 2019

The following gallery shows my “Top Pix of 2019.” (See what I did there?) 28 photos are presented in chronological order beginning in February 2019 and ending in December 2019.

As you will see, I declare 2019 is/was unofficially “Year of the Gray Petaltail (T. thoreyi).”

01 FEB 2019 | Cordulegaster sp. larva (preserved specimen) | face

04 FEB 2019 | Common Sanddragon (P. obscurus) | exuvia (face)

18 FEB 2019 | “Generic Baskettail” larva (preserved specimen) | face

28 FEB 2019 | BoG Photo Studio | Valentines Day rose

16 APR 2019 | Northern Virginia | Uhler’s Sundragon (male)

22 APR 2019 | Patuxent Research Refuge | Harlequin Darner (female)

22 APR 2019 | PRR | Common Green Darner (female)

02 MAY 2019 | Occoquan Regional Park | Brown Spiketail (male)

21 MAY 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Arrowhead Spiketail (female)

21 MAY 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Painted Skimmer (female)

21 MAY 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Gray Petaltail (male)

21 MAY 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Gray Petaltail (female)

29 MAY 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Gray Petaltail (male)

14 JUN 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Arrowhead Spiketail (female)

14 JUN 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Gray Petaltail (male)

21 JUN 2019 | PNC. Wm. County, VA | Black-shouldered Spinyleg (female)

21 JUN 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Common Sanddragon (male)

01 JUL 2019 | ORP | Needham’s Skimmer (immature male)

29 JUL 2019 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)

18 SEP 2019 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Viceroy butterfly

18 SEP 2019 | Occoquan Bay NWR | (Common) Buckeye butterfly

18 SEP 2019 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Fine-lined Emerald (male)

09 DEC 2019 | BoG Photo Studio | Common Green Darner | exuvia (face)

13 DEC 2019 | BoG PS | Common Green Darner | exuvia (anterior)

16 DEC 2019 | Richmond, VA | Spot-winged Glider | exuvia (face)

18 DEC 2019 | Richmond, VA | Spot-winged Glider | exuvia (dorsal)

20 DEC 2019 | Richmond, VA | Genus Celithemis | exuvia (face)

27 DEC 2019 | Richmond, VA | Genus Celithemis | exuvia (dorsal)

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

New Life List additions in 2019

The anticipation of the hunt and the thrill of discovery — the adrenalin rush from finding the target species is ever more elusive as one gains experience and expertise. Accordingly, the number of additions to my Life List is fewer year after year.

List items are presented in chronological order, based upon the date of the spotting/studio photo shoot.

Eastern Least Clubtail dragonfly exuvia

25 photos were used to create this focus-stacked composite image of an Eastern Least Clubtail dragonfly (Stylogomphus albistylus) exuvia from an odonate nymph that Bob Perkins collected and reared. S. albistylus is a member of Family Gomphidae (Clubtails).

07 JAN 2019 | Eastern Least Clubtail | exuvia (face-head)

Uhler’s Sundragon dragonfly

A Uhler’s Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri) was spotted during a photowalk along a mid-size stream at an undisclosed location in Northern Virginia USA.

16 APR 2019 | Northern Virginia | Uhler’s Sundragon (male)

Harlequin Darner dragonfly

A Harlequin Darner (Gomphaeschna furcillata) was spotted at the North Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge, Laurel, Maryland USA. This individual is a female.

22 APR 2019 | Patuxent Research Refuge | Harlequin Darner (female)

Arrowhead Spiketail dragonfly (female)

An Arrowhead Spiketail dragonfly (Cordulegaster obliqua) was spotted in a sunny clearing along a small forest stream at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA. This is the first female Arrowhead Spiketail that I’ve seen.

21 MAY 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Arrowhead Spiketail (female)

Black-shouldered Spinyleg dragonfly exuvia

A dragonfly exuvia was collected by Joe Johnston on 22 May 2019 at Aquia Creek, Stafford County, Virginia USA. This specimen is the cast skin from a Black-shouldered Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spinosus) larva. D. spinosus is a member of Family Gomphidae (Clubtails). Although I have seen many adult Black-shouldered Spinyleg, this is the first exuvia I’ve seen/photographed.

22 MAY 2019 | Black-shouldered Spinyleg | exuvia (dorsal)

Aurora Damsel damselfly

A mating pair of Aurora Damsel (Chromagrion conditum) was spotted along along a trail in the forest at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA. This pair is “in wheel” (“in heart”).

04 JUN 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Aurora Damsel (mating pair)

Eastern Copperhead snake

An Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix) was observed during a photowalk with my good friend Mike Powell along a small forest stream at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA.

04 JUN 2019 | PNC. William County, VA | Eastern Copperhead

Blue-ringed Dancer damselfly

A Blue-ringed Dancer damselfly (Argia sedula) was spotted during a photowalk with Michael Powell along Popes Head Creek at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (HORP), Fairfax County, Virginia USA.

29 AUG 2019 | HORP | Blue-ringed Dancer (male)

Spot-winged Glider dragonfly exuvia

A Spot-winged Glider dragonfly (Pantala hymenaea) exuvia was collected and identified by Andy Davidson near Richmond, Virginia USA. Spot-winged Glider is a member of Family Libellulidae (Skimmers). I’ve seen many adult Spot-winged Glider but this is the first exuvia I’ve seen/photographed.

18 DEC 2019 | Richmond, VA | Spot-winged Glider | exuvia (dorsal)

Copyright © 2019 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Dragonflies and Damselflies (poster, slideshow)

 

29 JUN 2015 | HMP | Halloween Pennant (female)

A Bar-winged Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula axilena) spotted at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a mature male.

A Painted Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula semifasciata) spotted at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a female.

A Needham’s Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula needhami) spotted at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a young female.

A Painted Skimmer dragonfly (Libellula semifasciata) spotted at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a female.

A Southern Spreadwing damselfly (Lestes australis) spotted at Huntley Meadows Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male.

D R A G O N F L I E S  A N D  D A M S E L F L I E S
HUNTLEY MEADOWS PARK

W A L T E R  S A N F O R D
Educator | Naturalist | Photographer

 

Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Top 10 Photos of 2017

The following gallery shows 32 finalists for my “Top 10 Photos of 2017.” The photos are presented in reverse-chronological order beginning in November 2017 and ending in April 2017.

The Top 10 photos will be selected using reader feedback. Please enter a comment at the end of this post listing the number for each of your 10 favorite photos. If listing 10 photos is asking too much, then please list at least five photos, e.g., No. 5, 8, 14, 17, 21, etc. Thanks for sharing your selections, and thanks for following my photoblog!

No. 1

09 NOV 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Autumn Meadowhawk (male)

No. 2

09 NOV 2017 | Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge | Easy Road

No. 3

27 OCT 2017 | MRA | Autumn Meadowhawk (mating pair, “in tandem“)

No. 4

27 OCT 2017 | MRA | Autumn Meadowhawk (male)

No. 5

25 OCT 2017 | HMP | Autumn Meadowhawk (female, mating pair)

No. 6

03 OCT 2017 | Huntley Meadows Park | Great Spreadwing (female)

No. 7

18 SEP 2017 | Jackson Miles Abbott WR | Swift Setwing (male)

No. 8

16 SEP 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Fine-lined Emerald (male)

No. 9

10 SEP 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Black Saddlebags (female)

No. 10

10 SEP 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Fine-lined Emerald (male)

No. 11

05 SEP 2017 | Jackson Miles Abbott WR | Swift Setwing (mature male)

No. 12

30 AUG 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Black Swallowtail (male)

No. 13

02 AUG 2017 | Jackson Miles Abbott WR | Swift Setwing (male)

No. 14

02 AUG 2017 | JMAWR | Eastern Amberwing (male) and water turtle

No. 15

25 JUL 2017 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (female)

No. 16

17 JUL 2017 | OBNWR | Halloween Pennant (young male)

No. 17

09 JUL 2017 | Wickford Park | Common Sanddragon (male)

No. 18

28 JUN 2017 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (male)

No. 19

26 JUN 2017 | HORP | Black-shouldered Spinyleg (female)

No. 20

20 JUN 2017 | OBNWR | Calico Pennant (mature male)

No. 21

20 JUN 2017 | OBNWR | Calico Pennant (immature male)

No. 22

27 MAY 2017 | Riverbend Park | Swift River Cruiser (teneral female)

No. 23

10 MAY 2017 | HORP | crayfish (underwater)

No. 24

09 MAY 2017 | Riverbend Park | Cobra Clubtail (male)

No. 25

09 MAY 2017 | Riverbend Park | Cobra Clubtail (male)

No. 26

09 MAY 2017 | Riverbend Park | Cobra Clubtail (female)

No. 27

03 MAY 2017 | HORP | Common Baskettail (female)

No. 28

03 MAY 2017 | HORP | Spine-crowned Clubtail (male)

No. 29

18 APR 2017 | Meadowood Recreation Area | Blue Corporal (male)

No. 30

18 April 2017 | JMAWR | Common Baskettail (male, in flight)

No. 31

13 APR 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Common Baskettail (male)

No. 32

10 APR 2017 | Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge | Stream Cruiser (female)

Editor’s Note: The following location codes are used in some photo captions, shown above.

• HMP = Huntley Meadows Park
• HORP = Hemlock Overlook Regional Park
• JMAWR = Jackson Mile Abbott Wetland Refuge
• MNWP = Mason Neck West Park
• MRA = Meadowood Recreation Area
• OBNWR = Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
• WP/DC = Wickford Park/Dogue Creek

Copyright © 2018 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

New discoveries in 2017 (non-odonates)

I’m an equal opportunity photographer. Although I tend to focus on photographing odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) I will photograph anything interesting that catches my eye. This retrospective features non-odonate new finds for 2017.

House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus)

05 APR 2017 | The Beacon of Groveton | House Finch (male)

A House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) was spotted in the parking garage at the Beacon of Groveton, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a male.

Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)

10 MAY 2017 | HORP | Eastern Hog-nosed Snake

An Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) was spotted at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park (HORP), Fairfax County, Virginia USA.

Mayfly (Hexagenia sp.)

27 MAY 2017 | Riverbend Park | mayfly (Hexagenia sp.)

A mayfly (Hexagenia sp.) was spotted at Riverbend Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. This individual is a female subimago.

Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris)

02 AUG 2017 | JMAWR | Eastern Amberwing (male) and water turtle

A male Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (Perithemis tenera) was spotted perching on the nose of a Northern Red-bellied Cooter (Pseudemys rubriventris), at Mulligan Pond, Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, Fairfax County, Virginia USA.

Blister beetle (Meloe sp.)

16 NOV 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | blister beetle (Meloe sp.)

A blister beetle (Meloe sp.) was spotted at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA.

Wild Turkey feathers (Meleagris gallopavo)

16 NOV 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Wild Turkey (tail feather)

A tail feather from a Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was photographed in situ along Easy Road at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Prince William County, Virginia USA.

Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

New discoveries in 2017 (odonates)

There’s always more to discover/learn! My odonate-related new discoveries in 2017 are presented in reverse-chronological order.

Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly

10 SEP 2017 | Occoquan Bay NWR | Fine-lined Emerald (male)

A Fine-lined Emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora filosa) was spotted at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 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

20 JUN 2017 | OBNWR | Calico Pennant (immature male)

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

11 JUN 2017 | Fluvanna County, VA | Allegheny River Cruiser (male)

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

09 JUN 2017 | Highland County, VA | Harpoon Clubtail (male)

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

27 MAY 2017 | Riverbend Park | Swift River Cruiser (emergent) female

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

03 MAY 2017 | HORP | Spine-crowned Clubtail (male)

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

13 APR 2017 | Common Baskettail (Epitheca cynosura) | exuvia (lateral)

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

05 MAR 2017 | Prince Baskettail (Epitheca princeps) | exuvia (face-head)

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.

Peopoll’s Choice Awards – Top 10 Photos of 2016

Ladies and gentlemen, the people have spoken. It’s time to announce the winners of the Peopoll’s Choice Awards for my Top 10 Photos of 2016. The Top 10 photos were selected using reader feedback. Sincere thanks for your participation!

Award-winning photos are presented in order of most-to-least votes. I cast the tie-breaking votes for the last four winners (No. 7-10), chosen from five photos that received the same number of your votes. In other words, I selected one of five photos to omit.

No. 1

15 JUL 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Halloween Pennant (female)

No. 2

12 SEP 2016 | HMP | Blue-faced Meadowhawk (male)

No. 3

27 SEP 2016 | Mason Neck West Park | Wandering Glider (female)

No. 4

21 SEP 2016 | OBNWR | Hummingbird Clearwing moth (H. thysbe)

No. 5

15 SEP 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus)

No. 6

04 AUG 2016 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (female)

No. 7

11 JUL 2016 | OBNWR | Halloween Pennant (female)

No. 8

02 JUL 2016 | MRA | Carolina Saddlebags (male)

No. 9

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

No. 10

26 MAY 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Painted Skimmer (teneral male)

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)
• MNWP = Mason Neck West Park
• MRA = Meadowood Recreation Area
• OBNWR = Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
• WP/DC = Wickford Park/Dogue Creek

Copyright © 2017 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Top 10 Photos of 2016

The following gallery shows 33 finalists for my “Top 10 Photos of 2016.” The photos are presented in reverse-chronological order beginning in December 2016 and ending in May 2016.

The Top 10 photos will be selected using reader feedback. Please enter a comment at the end of this post listing the number for each of your 10 favorite photos. If listing 10 photos is asking too much, then please list at least five photos, e.g., No. 5, 8, 14, 17, 21, etc. Thanks for sharing your selections, and thanks for following my photoblog!

No. 1

The following specimen was collected on 16 May 2016 (with permission from park staff) along the Potomac River at Riverbend Park, Fairfax County, Virginia USA. (This studio photograph, taken on 25 December 2016, hasn’t been published in a post.)

16 MAY 2016 | Riverbend Park | Gomphurus vastus exuvia

No. 2

The next specimen was collected on 07 July 2016 along the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia USA. (This studio photograph was taken on 02 December 2016.)

07 JUL 2016 | Potomac River | Eastern Amberwing (exuvia, head-on)

No. 3

06 NOV 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Great Spreadwing (female)

No. 4

14 OCT 2016 | JMAWR | Shadow Darner (female heteromorph)

No. 5

14 OCT 2016 | JMAWR | Russet-tipped Clubtail (male)

No. 6

10 OCT 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Black Saddlebags (male)

No. 7

27 SEP 2016 | MNWP | Southern Spreadwing (male)

No. 8

27 SEP 2016 | Mason Neck West Park | Wandering Glider (female)

No. 9

22SEP2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Great Spreadwing (male)

No. 10

21 SEP 2016 | OBNWR | Hummingbird Clearwing moth (H. thysbe)

No. 11

15 SEP 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus)

No. 12

15 SEP 2015 | JMAWR | Blue-faced Meadowhawk (female andromorph)

No. 13

12 SEP 2016 | HMP | Blue-faced Meadowhawk (male)

No. 14

08 AUG 2016 | Riverbend Park | Black-shouldered Spinyleg (female)

No. 15

04 AUG 2016 | Riverbend Park | Black-shouldered Spinyleg (male)

No. 16

04 AUG 2016 | Riverbend Park | Eastern Ringtail (female)

No. 17

04 AUG 2016 | Riverbend Park | American Rubyspot (female)

No. 18

15 JUL 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Halloween Pennant (female)

No. 19

15 JUL 2016 | HMP | Needham’s Skimmer (mature male)

No. 20

15 JUL 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Spot-winged Glider (female)

No. 21

11 JUL 2016 | OBNWR | Halloween Pennant (female)

No. 22

06 JUL 2016 | MRA | Halloween Pennant (young male)

No. 23

02 JUL 2016 | MRA | Carolina Saddlebags (male)

No. 24

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

No. 25

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Banded Pennant (male)

No. 26

24 JUN 2016 | HMP | Slender Spreadwing (adult male)

No. 27

24 JUN 2016 | HMP | Slender Spreadwing (mating pair, “in heart“)

No. 28

21 June 2016 | Dragonhunter dragonfly (female)

No. 29

18 JUN 2016 | OBNWR | Calico Pennant (female)

No. 30

18 JUN 2016 | OBNWR | Calico Pennant (male)

No. 31

08 JUN 2016 | Wickford Park | Common Sanddragon (male)

No. 32

26 MAY 2016 | Huntley Meadows Park | Painted Skimmer (teneral male)

No. 33

16 MAY 2016 | Riverbend Park | Cobra Clubtail (female)

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)
• MNWP = Mason Neck West Park
• MRA = Meadowood Recreation Area
• OBNWR = Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
• WP/DC = Wickford Park/Dogue Creek

Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Life-list additions in 2016

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.

New discoveries in 2016

The more you know, the more you know how much you don’t know. Huh? There’s always more to discover/learn! My new discoveries in 2016 are presented in reverse-chronological order.

Eastern Amberwing dragonfly exuviae

Perithemis tenera exuviae, published on 06 December 2016.

07 JUL 2016 | Potomac River | Eastern Amberwing (exuvia, head-on)

I’m a man on a mission to demystify the art and science of odonate exuviae identification. The task is as challenging as I was led to believe, but with determination and persistence it is do-able.

The specimens featured in this post are the first odonate exuviae that I was able to identify to the species level. Although the specimens were collected in early July, they were identified in early December. New species will be added to my Odonate Exuviae page when their identity is confirmed.

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Mulligan Pond at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge (JMAWR) is a familiar location where several species, previously unknown to occur at the park, were discovered in 2016.

Shadow Darner dragonfly

Shadow Darner dragonfly (female), posted on 18 October 2016.

14 OCT 2016 | JMAWR | Shadow Darner (female heteromorph)

Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly

Russet-tipped Clubtail dragonfly (male), posted on 26 September 2016.

22 SEP 2016 | JMAWR | Russet-tipped Clubtail (male)

Blue-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly

Another new species discovered at JMAWR, posted on 20 September 2016.

15 SEP 2015 | JMAWR | Blue-faced Meadowhawk (female andromorph)

Lancet Clubtail dragonfly

Identifying clubtails by the calendar, posted on 30 June 2016.

26 JUN 2016 | JMAWR | Lancet Clubtail (male)

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In addition to my contributions to the odonate species list at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge, Mike Powell discovered the first official record of Swift Setwing at JMAWR and in Fairfax County, Virginia USA.

Copyright © 2016 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.