Hi again,

OK, there is a 2nd experience we've waited 12 years to witness that I
finally got to see over the weekend - a PANTALA FINALLY appeared in
Siskiyou County for us! It flew in about 20 ft above our Mt. Shasta
pond. I'm guessing it was a male since it ignored the pond other than
circling it from above twice before flying off.
I had my camera on me, but by the time I ascertained that it was indeed
a Pantala and not an odd acting 4-spot, it was too far away. I aimed the
camera at the area of the sky it was in, but alas, did not capture an
image, so this will remain a sight only record - LONG overdue!!

July 1-6, 2009
Siskiyou County
Kathy &/or Dave Biggs
Dragonfly Roost Pond, Mt. Shasta Forest, NE of McCloud
Pacific Forktail - a few males and females
Darner sp - 1 or 2
Twelve-spotted Skimmer* - 2 males, 1 female ovipositing
Four-spotted Skimmer* - 1 male
PANTALA species - 1 on the 5th, didn't see a spot on wing, but couldn't
be certain of the species, so a sight only record for the species Pantala.
*I ate breakfast in a lounge chair by the pond - and I saw what I first
thought was going to be a froglet crawl out of the pond onto the
beach....but too much body emerged for it to be a froglet. It was a
Skimmer nymph! It crawled the 5' to my chair, and I thought for a moment
it was going to choose my leg to emerge on - how cool would that have
been! But, it continued under the chair, and I lost track of it as I
finished my breakfast. It had very good camouflage - but not good enuf I
guess. Twenty minutes later, I saw a W-fence Lizard make a lunge - he
had it in his mouth - oh well!

Also noted: Later, sitting in the same chair at 3 that afternoon I had
another good experience: A C. Nighthawk swooped down,
Skimmer/Swallow-like, and got a drink from the pond. Cool!