11 July 2009

Celebrating the 4th with a rarity.

On July 4th, 2009, Nannothemis and I decided to search for odes in our home county (Wayne Co, Michigan). Two locations were in our minds.

First, we decided to check a small wetland/retention basin behind a (ugh!) Walmart in Canton where we had found a Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadricmaculata) previously. Upon arrival we were "greeted" with construction equipment and barriers. The entire retention basin was dug up and enlarged. So much for finding any rare species here.

Next, we headed over to Holliday Nature Preserve off of Koppernick Road to see if any Great Blue Skimmers (Libellula vibrans) were present this year. Unfortunately, none were present, but in an open area of the brush we found an interesting skimmer that had us stumped for a bit. We had a female Painted Skimmer (Libellula semifasciata) perched in front of us.
We never were in a good position to voucher this individual, but ended up finding what turned out to be a second and possibly third individual (both males). There were only six vouchers for Michigan previously.
It is always nice to find state rarities... Now if only we could find the last few species missing from the county list..

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