Dragonflies and Damselflies

Dragonflies and Damselflies ... but first, a moth -- Virginia Ctenucha, a lovely creature that I've seen in several locations during recent perambulations ...

Virginia Ctenucha

Virginia Ctenucha

Next, a brief sampling of recent dragonflies ... Slaty Skimmer and Widow Skimmer ...

Slaty Skimmer

Widow Skimmer

 ... and a damselfly, the Ebony Jewelwing ...

Ebony Jewelwing

Closing out this post are three damselflies - which also illustrate the challenges of these almost imaginary insects.

The first is a Marsh Bluet - probably - since according to Lam's "Damselflies of the Northeast," this species is nearly identical to 3 other species and can only be reliably identified by examining the shape of male 's cerci - and that requires netting it, then using a magnifying glass.

Marsh Bluet (? probable or ? possible)

The next 2 can be identified in the field with binoculars or a camera and I am reasonably certain on the IDs: Northern Bluet and Aurora Damsel:

Northern Bluet

Aurora Damsel

Hope you can get outside and enjoy the wonders of the season.

 

Retrospective 4

Continuing the photo retrospective of last years. Various images that found their way to my lens and that I like.

Retrospective 4 --

Ebony Jewelwing

Kinglet cicle

Landing Approach

Whoseit

Squadron of Two

Things with Wings - 3

Many dragonflies are an ID challenge, but nothing compared to the Damselflies.

In addition to Stokes Beginners Guide to Dragonflies and Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East by Dennis Paulson, a very good, and essential, resource is Damselflies of the Northeast by Ed Lam.

By way of illustrating the challenge of Damselfly ID, each species in this guide is accompanied by a symbol indicating the level of observation usually required for a damselfly to be identified to species:

• in the field
• in the hand
• under the microscope

That said, the challenge of the damselflies is a rewarding one - these creatures are small, delicate, require alertness to see, and are often breathtakingly beautiful

Ebony Jewelwing - Calopterys maculata, 2.0" - Broadwing family

Ebony Jewelwing - female

Ebony Jewelwing - male

Variable Dancer - Argia fumipennis, 1.2" - Pond Damsel family

Variable Dancer - male

Variable Dancer - female

Eastern Forktail - Ischnura verticalis, 1.1" - Pond Damsel family

Eastern Forktail

Eastern Forktail

  Northern Bluet - Enallagma cyathigerum, 1.4" - Pond Damsel family (Note: Bluets are tough - hope I got this right)

Northern Bluet