Many Dragons and one Damsel in distress

[Spectre]

Went out this morning on a dragon hunt and actually managed to shoot 2 dragons that I had not been able to previously.

1. Tramea lacerata - Black Saddlebags

This is the first time I have been able to get close enough to shoot the saddlebags.

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2. Tramea lacerata - Black Saddlebags

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3. Tramea lacerata - Black Saddlebags

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4. Anax junius - Common Green Darner

This one is also a first for me today. The Green Darner never seems to want to perch.... or at least very seldom, and out of reach.

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5. Anax junius - Common Green Darner

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6. Macromia magnifica - Western River Cruiser

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7. Macromia magnifica - Western River Cruiser

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8. Western Pondhawk Female - Eating a Damselfly

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9. Western Pondhawk Male

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[tojor]

Excellent shots Paul. Congratulations with the 2 new species. If the Anax junius is just like his cousin over here - the Anax Imperator - you've got quite a scoop. I cannot count the hours I have been chasing him for a couple of nice shots. I like the Macromia magnifica as well. I wish we had the Western Pondhawk. It sure is a pretty dragonfly.

 

[BUCKEYE BIKER]

Very nice collection of shots, Paul. You had a great day with the "first" captures. The Green Darners and the Western Pond Hawk are my favorites. Thanks for sharing them.

 

[Spectre]

Torben,
The Anax junius is interesting, it spends the day patrolling out over the water, not really coming closer than about 2-3 yards from the shore. I have sat and watched them for extended periods of time and rarely seen them come to shore. When they do it's usually in a location far away from me and inaccessible.
The Tramea lacerata (black saddlebags) is fast an not tolerant of people. I found this one pretty early trying to warm up. He was fairly high up in a tree and I had a bit of a time getting a clear shot of it. Once they warm up, it is really difficult to get anywhere close to them.
The Western Pondhawk is a beautiful dragon. They aren't really scared of people, in fact they apppear really curious ... or playful. They will land right in front of me and wait until I almost step on them before they move. When they do move, it will be about 5-10 feet infront of me and wait for me again. If I stop walking they will wait and then circle around me and land... sometimes on my camera.

 

[PLPhoto]

Wow, excellent shots!

 

[Spectre]

Thanks Tom.

Thanks Phil.

 

[Butlerkid]

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing!


How do you identify the different ones? I'm new to dragonflies and damsels and would like to at least take the first steps in identifying what I see!

 

[Spectre]

Karen,
First of all Thank you.
In order to find out what you are looking at, the web is your friend. I did a search for Odonata (dragonfly family) for Tennessee and found a lot of links for Dragonfly info. The first link that came up is here and should be able to help a bit. You may have to dig a bit, but you will find info detailing which dragons are in your area and how to identify them. This forum is also a great resource. If you can't ID one, post a picture and ask for an ID and someone should be able to help. Torben and Jukka are great.

 

[Butlerkid]

Thanks!

I didn't even know "odonata" !

Next, I'll have to learn the difference between a dragonfly and a damsel!

Karen

 

[j.ankanpaa]

Very nice series, Paul!

I was just looking where to go next summer and our version of Macromia magnifica (that´s a beautiful Dragon) was very interesting but I think I´m going to go after a Lindenia tetraphylla...

 

[Spectre]

Jukka,
Thank You.
I agree the Macromia magnifica is a beautiful dragon. I have actually seen 3 seperate ones patroling their areas at once.
I did a search on the Lindenia tetraphylla.... what a great dragon. I hope you find one and share the pictures.

 

[tojor]

I guess you are familiar with this site Jukka. http://www.dragonflypix.com/speciespages/lindenia_tetraphylla.html

 

[j.ankanpaa]

I guess you are familiar with this site Jukka. http://www.dragonflypix.com/speciespages/lindenia_tetraphylla.html

Yep, I heard those guys were spotted here couple of weeks ago and I think atleast those Leucorrhinia shots in new section were taken here...