Death in the Afternoon: A Forktail Fatality

The Gilbert Water Ranch (GWR) continues to be a source of lively odonate activity, in addition to the usual bird sightings.  In fact, the species list has grown in the last couple days, with the addition of the Flame Skimmer, Western Pondhawk, and Mexican Amberwing.  The amberwing has been seen a couple times here at our home since March 10, but this was our first sighting of it at the Water Ranch.

Here's the latest odonate species list for the GWR:

Damselflies
Familiar Bluet
Rambur's Forktail

Dragonflies
Common Green Darner
Flame Skimmer
Roseate Skimmer
Mexican Amberwing
Western Pondhawk
Variegated Meadowhawk
Red Saddlebags
Wandering Glider
Spot-winged Glider

One sad note on our last visit – the first thing we observed on arriving was a male Rambur's Forktail being devoured by a jumping spider.  Here's a picture:

It was painful to watch, but an integral part of nature, nonetheless.

Dragonflying at the Gilbert Water Ranch

A few days ago, Betsy and I went to the nearby Gilbert Water Ranch (in Gilbert, AZ) for some birding and dragonflying.  Even though it's still early in the season for dragonflies, we observed lots of activity, and a fair number of species to boot.

We also had nice views of a number of birds.  Here are a couple shots of the Ring-necked Duck, which one would think should be called the Ring-billed Duck.  This is the male, and he certainly is a handsome bird, with a ringed bill outlined in white at the base, and a striking golden eye.

In the shot on the right you can see the reddish ring at the base of the neck that gives him his name.  You don't always get to see this feature, but when the lighting is just right it can make an appearance.

We also saw a Great Blue Heron fishing right next to us on one of the ponds.  He was nice enough to pose for a photo.

The Water Ranch is an important birding site, but they also recognize the presence of dragonflies, as attested to by their "Welcome" sign:

The dragonfly activity was constant – everywhere we looked we saw them on the wing or perched.  Quite a few species, too.  Here's our odonate list for the day:

Damselflies
Familiar Bluet
Rambur's Forktail

Dragonflies
Common Green Darner
Variegated Meadowhawk
Roseate Skimmer
Red Saddlebags
Wandering Glider
Spot-winged Glider

The Red Saddlebags were particularly abundant, and some were even flying in tandem over the water, though we didn't see them actually lay eggs.  Here are a couple shots of the Red Saddlebags:

A Red Saddlebags from below.  The hamules (downward projections) at the base of the abdomen make it evident this is a male.

The same individual from the side.  The saddlebags are intensely red, and quite visible in flight.

Here's a shot of one of the Variegated Meadowhawks we saw.  On some of the ponds we saw pairs in tandem tapping the water to lay eggs.

A Variegated Meadowhawk on the shore of one of the ponds at the Gilbert Water Ranch.

The Whisperer Speaks!

It's just under two months now until The Dragonfly Whisperer speaks at the general meeting of the Prescott Audubon Society on May 22, 2014.  They've been kind enough to invite me, and I'm looking forward to a fun evening.

They have a very active organization, with lots of different programs, and they've produced some excellent promotional materials to advertise the talk.  As an example, here's an ad they'll distribute in April:

That should attract some attention.

Their website contains more specific information:

Betsy and I will be there – be sure to say "Hi" if you can make it, too.

You can find more information about Prescott Audubon at their website:

http://prescottaudubon.org

Unexpected Pleasures of Dragonflying: San Juan Surprise

Last September, Betsy and I took a short ferry ride from our home in Anacortes, WA to San Juan Island, in the heart of the San Juan archipelago of northern Puget Sound.  In the photo below, we're coming into Friday Harbor, where the ferry terminal is located.  After disembarking, we spent the day exploring the island by car – with an eye out for interesting dragonflies, of course.  We weren't disappointed.

Pulling into Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.

One of our first stops was Roche Harbor, where we had a nice lunch on the pier.  Lots boats anchor in this harbor, and you can see many of their shore boats docked in the photo below.  The name of the large boat in the foreground pretty well sums up the feeling of the place.

I went into an old Mom-and-Pop general store with wooden floors, crab traps, fishing gear, as well as groceries and snacks.  I picked up a delicious ice cream bar for us.  It was wonderful on a pleasant day like this.

Roche Harbor, on San Juan Island, WA.

After lunch we headed for Lime Kiln Park on the western shore of the island.  The land you see in the distance is Canada's Vancouver Island.  The passage of water between the islands is the Haro Strait, known for frequent visits by pods of killer whales.  We saw groups of porpoises, but no whales this time.

A lighthouse overlooking Haro Strait on the west shore of San Juan Island.

Next, we dropped by a small pond that looked like good dragonfly habitat.  Sure enough, we saw lots of Cardinal Meadowhawks, a few Striped Meadowhawks, and some Spotted Spreadwings.  The activity level was quite good.

The pond was in the middle of a large sculpture garden.  The photo below shows a dragonfly sculpture we found there.  It was quite detailed, even in the wings and the eyes.  It put one in mind of the large dragonflies that flew during the Carboniferous period.

Dragonfly sculpture on San Juan Island.

This dragonfly was a bit large to hold in one's hand, but worth the try anyway.

"Nice dragonfly."

This wasn't the only large dragonfly seen at this pond.  More on that later.