We arrived to the park late in the morning on August 27, 2011 and almost immediately flushed a spinyleg from the rip rap bordering the millpond next to the community center. We obtained several photographs at a distance, but they were very skittish.
Some through binoculars:
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and others with Julie's macro lens:
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Now the challenge was to net one. We worked the edge of the dam repeatedly, trying to get in a position to approach the individuals without casting a shadow and having room for a swing of the net. After 45 minutes or so, I was able to trap one on a flat piece of concrete with Julie helping to herd it. This male (D. spoliatus) confirms the record for Lenawee county and was one of ~10 individuals present:
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...and this photo shows its spiny legs and the flag tail:
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While chasing the target species, we found several other great dragonflies. A couple Black-shouldered Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spinosus), such as this male:
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A few Royal River Cruisers (Macromia taeniolata), with this male possibly representing the first record for Lenawee County:
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Many Smoky Rubyspots (Hetaerina titia), which seem to be everywhere this year:
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A few Eastern Amberwings (Perithemis tenera), such as this female:
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We also had heard that a Dragonhunter (Hagenius brevistylus) or two had been observed recently, but no luck this day. We had observed a male a few years ago, but couldn't obtain any photos. Indian Crossing Trails Park is a must for a return visit in the future.
4 comments:
Fabulous find! Great photos!
thanks, hopefully we'll find some more in the remaining weeks of the season
Nice close pictures of that insects
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non voice projects
thanks, we only have a few more weeks to find the final flying adults of the season here in MI
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