Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Last season was very kind to me, with many new species of dragonflies.
Dragonflies have enough of a following that there are various web sites where one can learn about the distribution of species in your area. A good one for the U.S. is Odonata Central (https://www.odonatacentral.org/#/). Here, one can view sighting and collection records for a given species in a state, and see a Google Map for their exact locations. Odonata Central has helped me find particular species on several occasions.
One new species of dragonfly that I really wanted to photograph has the intriguing name “ringed boghaunter”, which is a secretive species that appears in boggy wooded areas for a short period in the early season. According to Odonata Central, there was a park some distance south of me where it has been reliably recorded in May. So plans were made, the gear was prepared, and off I went in search of the boghaunter.
It was a lovely woods, and several interesting arthropods were found and photographed (more on them later). I did not get a picture of the intended dragonfly, but I saw one! It was elusive, as promised, so as soon as it saw me it was gone in a flash. That was a bummer. But I saw one.
The effort was not unrewarded in the dragonfly area, however, since another new species of early season dragonfly proved to be in some abundance. The pictures below are of a female and then a male springtime darner (Basiaeschna janata) – a small darner species that also flies in the early season. I saw several of them, and they proved to be fairly approachable.
Springtime darner by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Springtime darner by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Another common species in the woods were these small clubtails. I am not sure about this male. It could be a lancet, ashy, or dusky clubtail – those species are hard to tell apart (Here I look hopefully toward docshark…).
Male clubtail by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

And to add some more early season dragons, here is a female baskettail (Epitheca sp.). The particular species cannot be easily ID’d from a picture.
Basketail by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

At a different park there is this tiny pond that can be thick with dragonflies. What is it about certain tiny ponds? It’s like the dragonfly population of a lake wants to live in a pond the size of a living room. Anyway, here are a pair of early season green darners (Anax junius) laying eggs in the pond. As I understand it, this is a migratory species, and so these early season green darners would have migrated up from the south.
Green darners by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Green darners by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
This scene is about as routine as it gets, folks, but for me it is an especially fond memory. For I time I could put the troubles of the world behind in order to just attentively follow this pair, wherever they chose to go. This was time well spent.

Thanks for looking!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Great write-up and superb images! I had some of the same experiences where both the same and unique dragonfly types can be found at each of the bodies of water near my place. What amazes me too is I can see completely different types / sizes buzzing around overhead that I have no idea where to find them landed / resting. Making plans for 2021.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Thank you.
Some species just don't land much once they are mature and are over water to defend territories and find a mate. I am sure that for some species, getting one on a perch is more about luck (but with persistence, one can make your own luck). Hunting in fields and forest margins away from water seems actually better for photographing many species, since a good % of dragonflies spend their early lives well away from water. Then there are some species that are just plain tough. Prince baskettails chief among them in my area. They fly high, often in swarms even, but they seldom land.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

An excellent set. The two hurricanes here last year ruined my "dragon" season.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Here, on UHH, we quickly run out of adjectives when viewing amazing images. This is one of those times. Simply marvelous! Bravo Zulu!

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Once again, thank you!

Marianne M Banks Loc: Anacortes WA

This is such a lovely presentation with stunning photos. The last one is exquisite!
Thank you.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Excellent set of shots Mark. Very sharp and a nice narrative. At least you've seen a Boghunter. Your clubtail is a Lancet. Easiest field mark is the great detail you got of the cerci. It is lancet shaped whereas the other species have very straight cerci. Markings on S-8 and S-9, to me, indicate Lancet Clubtail(Phanogomphus excilis). As you pointed out, baskettails are very hard to distinguish from one species to another. That being said I would say you have a Common Baskettail Epitheca cynosura). Fine job my friend. Stay safe and well.
>i< Doc

KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan

Like CHG_CANON, the first word that came to my mind was, SUPERB! Well done, Mark!

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Truly a 5-Star quality series and narrative. The style is captivating for it not only showcases the subject it includes its habitat which helps tell one more about it and where it lives. Job well done.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Thanks, again, everyone. Docshark: I will definitely make a note about those markings in my little 'cheat sheet' for clubtails. I've been thinking tiny details about the cerci should be key, but multiple angles would definitely help.

sscnxy

Fantastic, Mark! Your posts are both instructive as well as a fun read. Super enjoyable!

NY