Best Photos of 2021

The following gallery shows my “Best Photos of 2021.” 10 photos are presented in chronological order beginning in January 2021 and ending in December 2021.

01 January 2021

Buzz Lightyear: “To 2021 and beyond!”

Original blog post: To 2021 and beyond!

13 APR 2021 | Prince William County, VA | Selys’s Sundragon (male)

13 APR 2021 | Prince William County, VA

13 APR 2021 | Prince William County, VA | Uhler’s Sundragon (female)

05 JUN 2021 | Fairfax County, VA | Unicorn Clubtail (male)

17 JUN 2021 | PNC. Wm. County | Yellow-sided Skimmer (female)

17 JUN 2021 | PNC. Wm. County |  Bar-winged Skimmer (mature male)

09 September 2021

It’s challenging to get all of the parts aligned for an image like this. In this case it’s close but not perfect. It would have been helpful to compose the shot with my camera tethered to a computer that features a larger screen than the one on the back of my camera.

All of that being said, the slight imperfections don’t diminish the visual impact of this image: Comet Darner (Anax longipes) exuviae are much larger than Common Green Darner (Anax junius) exuviae!

Relative size of exuviae from Anax junius versus Anax longipes.

Original blog post: Anax junius versus Anax longipes

04 October 2021

This is the only photo I’ve added to my Odonart© Portfolio recently. I love this beautiful specimen!

Comet Darner (Anax longipes) | exuvia (lateral)

Original blog post: Comet Darner exuvia: photo sketch pad

14 December 2021

Annotating images adds value, and I think it’s an under appreciated art form.

Comet Darner (Anax longipes) | exuvia (lateral)

Original blog post: Determining final instar the Cham way

Copyright © 2021 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

New Life List additions in 2021

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

Selys’s Sundragon (Helocordulia selysii)

A Selys’ Sundragon dragonfly (Helocordulia selysii) was spotted during a photowalk along a mid-size stream at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA.

This individual is a male with a malformed abdomen. Selys’s Sundragon is a new species for both my Life List of odonates and for Prince William County, VA.

13 APR 2021 | Prince William County, VA | Selys’s Sundragon (male)

Uhler’s Sundragon (Helocordulia uhleri) and Selys’s Sundragon are colocated at many sites — find one species and you should find the other. I’ve been on the lookout for Selys’s since Uhler’s was found several years ago near the site where this Selys’s was spotted.

Yellow-sided Skimmer (Libellula flavida)

Yellow-sided Skimmer dragonflies (Libellula flavida) were spotted around a small pond at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA.

The first individual is a female, as indicated by her terminal appendages.

17 JUN 2021 | PNC. Wm. County | Yellow-sided Skimmer (female)

The last individual is a male, as indicated by his blue coloration and terminal appendages.

17 JUN 2021 | PNC. Wm. County | Yellow-sided Skimmer (male)

Many species of dragonflies in the Family Libellulidae (Skimmers) are habitat generalists and relatively easy to find almost anywhere there is water. In contrast, Yellow-sided Skimmer is a habitat specialist that is challenging to find.

Tiger Spiketail (Cordulegaster erronea)

A Tiger Spiketail dragonfly (Cordulegaster erronea) was captured along a small stream at an undisclosed location in Prince William County, Virginia USA. The specimen was photographed and released unharmed.

05 AUG 2021 | Prince William County, VA | Tiger Spiketail (male)

This individual is a male, as indicated by his hamules, “indented” hind wings, and terminal appendages.

05 AUG 2021 | Prince William County, VA | Tiger Spiketail (male)

“Sight records are insufficient” is one of many “Walterisms.” In other words, I don’t add a species to my Life List until I have photographed it. And so it is with Tiger Spiketail. I have seen several Tiger Spiketail dragonflies during the past few years (at several locations) but had no photos to show for my efforts because they are fliers rather than perchers.

Copyright © 2021 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

Best Photos of 2020

The following gallery shows my “Best Photos of 2020.” 16 photos are presented in chronological order beginning in January 2020 and ending in September 2020.

29 JAN 2020 | Richmond, VA | Tramea sp. | exuvia (face-head-dorsal)

31 JAN 2020 | Richmond, VA | Tramea sp. | exuvia (dorsal–lateral)

24 FEB 2020 | Aquia Creek | dragonfly exuvia (lateral)

13 MAR 2020 | Northern VA | Anisoptera | exuvia (face-head-dorsal)

13 APR 2020 | Neurocordulia yamaskanensis | exuvia (face-head)

26 MAY 2020 | Fairfax County, VA | Splendid Clubtail (female)

27 MAY 2017 | Riverbend Park | cicada exuvia (face-head-dorsal)

08 JUN 2020 | Fairfax County, VA | Cobra Clubtail (female)

10 JUN 2019 | Polk County, WI | H. adelphus exuvia (dorsal)

13 JUN 2020 | Fairfax County, VA | Gray Petaltail (male)

13 JUN 2020 | Fairfax County, VA | Gray Petaltail (male)

25 JUN 2020 | Fairfax County, VA | Dragonhunter (male)

18 AUG 2020 | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

18 AUG 2020 | 12:02:18 PM | JMAWR | Swift Setwing (male)

15 SEP 2020 | OBNWR | Russet-tipped Clubtail (male)

15 SEP 2020 | OBNWR | Great Blue Skimmer (old female)

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

New Life List additions in 2020

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.

Both species were discovered on the same day when Mike Powell and I were exploring a new location for hunting odonates in Northern Virginia. In fact, both dragonflies were found relatively close to each other, roosting in waist-high vegetation.

Umber Shadowdragon (Neurocordulia obsoleta) [observed only]

Mike discovered this one. Mike called to me and I worked my way to his location as quickly as I could, braving stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and thorny vegetation. I got there in time to see the dragonfly from the side. Regrettably, it flew away before I could shoot some photos. See Mike’s photo of this uncommon species in a post he entitled “Umber Shadowdragon.”

Splendid Clubtail (Gomphurus lineatifrons)

It’s good to be wrong! What? Initially I misidentified this individual as a Cobra Clubtail dragonfly (Gomphurus vastus). Sincere thanks to Rick Cheicante and Mike Boatwright for setting the record straight!

26 MAY 2020 | Fairfax County, VA | Splendid Clubtail (female)

26 MAY 2020 | Fairfax County, VA | Splendid Clubtail (female)

Related Resource: Splendid Clubtail (Gomphurus lineatifrons).

Copyright © 2020 Walter Sanford. All rights reserved.

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 | PNC. Wm. County | 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 | PNC. Wm. County | Fine-lined Emerald (male)

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

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.