docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Hey thanks John. So glad you liked them. It was a really hot day but a lot of fun hunting them with my friends. Take care and stay well.
-Doc

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

More excellent photos! Put me on the list for a signed copy of the book when it comes out.

Black tips on the Slaty & a smudge of black at the base of the rear wings on the Pennant?

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Those are the fieldmarks and small marks on the sides of S1-2. They are the remnants of the rings from when they were immature. No books. I have some friends that lost a wife over it.
-Doc

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

[quote=docshark]Yesterday we looked at the family Libellulidae (skimmers). Celithemis is a genus of dragonflies in the family Libellulidae. They are known commonly as pennants. Pennants get their name from the position in which they perch - like a flag or pennant. Their legs get progressively longer toward their abdomen which allows them to perch in this position.

The first picture is a male Slaty Skimmer (Libellulidae incesta).

Slaty Skimmer (Libellula incesta) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

The next shot is a male Double Ringed Pennant [i]Celithemis verna). They look quite the same. They are both in the same family just a different genus. Can you pick out the identifying field marks?

The Double-ringed Pennant (Celithemis verna) M by Tony Schoch, on Flickr

OK I know what you're saying. "Where are the double rings." The female and an immature male look pretty much the same. Black with yellow rings just behind the wings on the abdomen. As the male becomes more mature it takes on the color of slate blue you see here.

More dragons to come! Stay safe and well.
-Doc[/quote]

Always enjoy your outings, Doc.
A question.
In your travels around the WMA, have you seen the riding mowers on the roof yet?
A target on my next trip.
See you there, soon, I hope.
Not been on the shore in a bit, about time.
Endever to persevere.
Bill

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

No Bill I have not seen the riding mowers on the roof yet. I've not gone out too much lately with this heat. Just too dangerous especially if you go by yourself. I do love Idylwild. It is the most species rich area I've been to. I have witnessed three dragonfly swarms though here on the golf course. Two in the late evening and one in the early morning right in ftont of my house.
-Doc

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Great stuff, Doc! Without looking it up, I would guess field marks for the double ring pennant is the darkened base of the hind wings, and maybe the shift in color tones on the abdomen. The stigmas are a different length too.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Wonder if they were feeding at a gnat or other small fly emergance.
I have seen that late in the afternoon a number of times.
Sorry, no idea of IDs.
Bill

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

You got it Mark. To most it just looks like they are pictures of the same Ode. The immature male and female actually have a double set of rings on S-2. Thanks for looking at my post and for your fine comment. It’s been a wild week here. Four swarms in one week. I’m posting some dragons from them tomorrow.
Doc

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Yes Bill they were feeding on gnats stirred up by the mower guys on the golf course. One of the other swarms was feeding on a hatch from a stream that runs through the golf course. Since the golf course was built about 15 years ago some historic species of damselflies have disappeared. I survey for them about 4 times a week during their possible flight season. I was tasked with finding them at the seep when I moved here.
Doc