Mid-May dragonflies in Southeast Michigan

I've been lax putting up current posts for this year's dragon hunting. Thus, I'll catch up by combining a few outings in one post.

May 15 at Lower Huron Metropark: I wanted to look for possible early Arrowhead Spiketails (Cordulegaster obliqua), but no luck for this species. However, I did find some other early odes for the season.

teneral male Ashy Clubtail (Gomphus lividus):

One of a few male baskettails (Epitheca sp.), this individual was closer to E. costalis than E. cynosura:

female Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia):


May 16 at UM-Dearborn: While doing a bird survey, several teneral Dot-tailed Whitefaces (Leucorrhinia intacta) were found along Jensen's Meadow.


May 23 at Willow Metropark: I thought Washago Pond may be a good area to search for Springtime Darner (Basiaeschna janata), but was wrong. However, I did find a nice variety of odes.

One of two male Familiar Bluets (Enallagma civile):

A coupled pair of Orange Bluets (Enallagma signatum):

An emerging dragonfly, possibly a Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia):

A male Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta) with wings that didn't unfold properly during eclosure:

One of six Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata):

Next up...late May...