Dear Dragonfliers,


I've mostly been a lurker to Southwest Odes until now.

While scouting for butterflies near the Coronado National Memorial in SEAZ with
Dave Powell, Fred Heath, George Jue, Mary Klinkel, and Tom Deecken for the
upcoming North American Butterfly Assoc (NABA) meeting, we discovered a jewel of
a odonate.  It was a spectacular emerald green, similar in size, shape and
appearance to a nearby Serpent Ringtail, but much brighter green and lacked the
bold striping on the thorax of that species. I sent photos to Bailowitz,
Deviche, and Danforth for an ID and I'm told it is a Straight-tipped Ringtail
(Erpetogomphus elaps). Only the 2nd record for AZ and the U.S. (I think), and a
first for Cochise County.

I have posted photos here: http://birdingthecloud.com/dragons.aspx

If you right click to download the photos, the originals are a bit larger and
may show more detail.

Cheers

Kurt Radamaker
Scottsdale, AZ

Wow, what a beauty! Would it be OK to link to your photo's site from my
SW Dragonflies website?
Kathy Biggs

California Dragonflies www.sonic.net/dragonfly
Southwest Dragonflies www.southwestdragonflies.net/
Bigsnest Wildlife Pond www.bigsnestpond.net/
----------------------------------------------------------------
Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest@... 707-823-2911
308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472
On 9/3/2012 5:09 PM, kradamaker wrote:
> Dear Dragonfliers,
>
>
> I've mostly been a lurker to Southwest Odes until now.
>
> While scouting for butterflies near the Coronado National Memorial in SEAZ
with Dave Powell, Fred Heath, George Jue, Mary Klinkel, and Tom Deecken for the
upcoming North American Butterfly Assoc (NABA) meeting, we discovered a jewel of
a odonate.  It was a spectacular emerald green, similar in size, shape and
appearance to a nearby Serpent Ringtail, but much brighter green and lacked the
bold striping on the thorax of that species. I sent photos to Bailowitz,
Deviche, and Danforth for an ID and I'm told it is a Straight-tipped Ringtail
(Erpetogomphus elaps). Only the 2nd record for AZ and the U.S. (I think), and a
first for Cochise County.
>
> I have posted photos here: http://birdingthecloud.com/dragons.aspx
>
> If you right click to download the photos, the originals are a bit larger and
may show more detail.
>
> Cheers
>
> Kurt Radamaker
> Scottsdale, AZ
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

This morning while searching Last Chance Canyon in the Guadalupe Mts of Eddy Co,
NM, for Yellow-legged Ringtails (of which we found in excess of 15 individuals),
Dad & I found and photographed a clean, unworn female Black Pondhawk (Erythemis
attala) and were able to get a nice series of photographs.  This was the
highlight to a Labor Day weekend trip that included 6 lifers for Dad and 2 for
me, including Desert Shadowdamsel, Dashed Ringtail, Western River Cruiser,
Arizona Snaketail, and Gray Sanddragon.  Dad also turned up a Brimstone Clubtail
(not a lifer for either of us, but still a great bug) along the Rio Grande in
Dona Ana Co.

Anyway, will post details after work tomorrow.

Troy Hibbitts
Brackettville, TX

First off, I'd like to thank my Dad for taking me along on this one - I didn't
have the cash to take a trip this month, so he "hired me" as a tour guide and
bought gas.  I volunteered to do all the driving, and we raided my pantry on
Friday afternoon (8/31) and left just after 4:30 pm from Brackettville, TX . . .
arrived at the Gila River south of Clifton (Owl Creek Campground) at about 2 am
(AZ time, 4 am to our Texas clocks).

9/1
Awoke with the sun, ate a quick breakfast and headed up to Eagle Creek to search
for Desert Shadowdamsels . . . this was my 3rd attempt to see and photograph
this species, having struck out each of the two previous Septembers at Bonita
Creek.  Well, the third time was the charm, and the very first Ode I found at
this site was a female Shadowdamsel, right below the retaining wall near the
parking spot.  This was a really impressive Canyon - I really liked the steep
rocky walls and deep pools.  I also wished I'd looked over the OC checklist for
Greenlee County, as I would have photographed a few more "common" species - the
OC Checklist for this county is 24 species, and we could have easily doubled
that number had we photographed everything!  (Throughout, I've listed "NCR" =
New County Record per OC and ALL CAPS are my lifers  - the "photos?" is really
"if Dad got photos" 'cause I didn't LOL)

AZ: Greenlee Co; Eagle Creek at Lower Eagle Creek Road - 0700-1300 hrs

Hetaerina american (American Rubyspot) lots
PALAEMNEMA DOMINA (DESERT SHADOWDAMSEL) 12 (4 males, 7 females, 1 teneral)
Argia hinei (Lavendar Dancer) 2 NCR
Argia immunda (Kiowa Dancer) lots NCR (photos?)
Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) lots
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) 15-20 NCR
Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) 3 would have been NCR
Argia pallens (Amethyst Dancer) 2 NCR
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 2
Argia translata (Sooty Dancer) lots NCR
Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) 3 NCR (photos?)
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) lots
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) 4-5 NCR (photos?)
Ischnura demorsa (Mexican Forktail) lots
Telebasis salva (Desert Firetail) lots NCR (photos?)
Anax junius (Common Green Darner) 1 would have been NCR
Anax walshinghami (Giant Darner) 3 would have been NCR
Rhionaeschna multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) 3-4 would have been NCR
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis (Serpent Ringtail) 3
Macromia magnifica (Western River Cruiser) 1 NCR
Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) 10+
Dythemis nigrescens (Black Setwing) 5-6 NCR (photos?)
Erythemis collocata (Western Pondhawk) 10+ NCR
Erthrodiplax basifusca (Plateau dragonlet) 10+ NCR
Libellula luctuosa (Widow Skimmer) 2 NCR (photos?)
Libellula saturata (Flame Skimmer) lots
Orthemis ferruginea (Roseate Skimmer) 10+ NCR (photos?)
Paltothemis lineatipes (Red Rock Skimmer) lots NCR
Perithemis tenera (Eastern Amberwing) 3 NCR
Plathemis lydia (Common Whitetail) 1 would have been NCR
Pseudoleon superbus (Filigree Skimmer) 1 would have been NCR
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) lots
Tramea lacerta (Black Saddlebags) 10+ would have been NCR

Our next target was to go to higher elevations and look for Arizona Snaketails .
. . we ended up driving up to Alpine, then down to Reserve, NM, only stopping at
KP Cienega

AZ: Greenlee Co; KP Cienega 1515-1530

Aeshna interrupta (Variable Darner) 10+
Aeshna cf palmata (Paddle-tailed Darner) 1 would have been NCR
Sypmetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 2


Drove on to a site I've searched in years past near Reserve on the Tularosa
River - found:

NM: Catron Co; Tularosa River at FR 233 - 1800-1900 hrs

Hetaerina americana (American Rubyspot) lots
Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) 10+
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) 10+
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 2
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) 2
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) lots
Ischnura demorsa (Mexican Forktail) 2
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis (Serpent Ringtail) 10+
Ophiogomphus arizonicus (Arizona Snaketail) 2  (Lifer for Dad)

Drove down to sleep at Bill Evans Lake west of Silver City


9/2
Got up, at breakfast, then headed down to Gila River . . . found:

NM: Grant Co; Gila River at Newby Road (south of Bill Evans Lake) 0700-0945 hrs

Hetaerina americana (American Rubyspot) lots
Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) 6
Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) 1
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 1
Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) 1
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) 3
Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) 6
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis (Serpent Ringtail) 4
Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) tons!
Pantala hymenea (Spot-winged Glider) 1
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 4

On way out, spotted a Gray Sanddragon at a Creek Crossing, and spent an easy
hour trying to get quality photos for Dad - found

NM: Grant Co; creek crossing on Newby Road, 0.9 mi S jct Bill Evans Lake Rd -
1015-1115 hrs

Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) 5-6
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 2
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) 1
Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) 10+
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis (Serpent Ringtail) 5-6
Progomphus borealis (Gray Sanddragon) 2 (lifer for Dad)
Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) lots
Libellula saturata (Flame Skimmer) 2
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 4-5

Drove into Silver City for lunch and gas, then headed to the Mimbres River to
search for Dashed Ringtails . . . found LOTS!

NM: Grant Co; Mimbres River at Royal John Mine Rd - 1330-1500 hrs

Hetaerina americana (American Rubyspot) lots
Archilestes grandis (Great Spreadwing) 4-5
Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) 4
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) lots
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) lots
Argia sedula (Blue-ringed Dancer) 4-5
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) 10+
Herperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) lots
Ischnura demorsa (Mexican Forktail) lots
Ischnura damula (Plains Forktail) 1
Rhionaeschna multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) 2
EREPETOGOMPHUS HETERODON (DASHED RINGTAIL) 25+!
Erpetogomphus lampropelits (Serpeent Ringtail) 5-6
Libellua saturata (Flame Skimmer) 1

Drove up through Galinas Canyon - did stop to search stream there but only saw a
single Variegated Meadowhawk . . . continued on to Rio Grande in northern Dona
Ana Co.  Stopped near Salem and spent some time searching banks of the Rio
Grande for Brimstone Clubtails (Dad found 1) - found:

NM: Dona Ana Co; Rio Grande at BB Romig Drive S of Salem - 1800-1930 hrs

Argia apicalis (Blue-fronted Dancer) 1 NCR
Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) lots
Argia sedula (Blue-ringed Dancer) 2
Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) 4-5
Anax junius (Common Green Darner) 4-5
Rhionaeschna multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) 10+
Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) 2
Stylurus intricatus (Brimstone Clubtail) 1
Stylurus plagiatus (Russett-tipped Clubtail) 2
Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) 1
Libellula pulchella (Twelve-spotted Skimmer) 1
Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) 1
Pantala flavescens (Wandering Glider) lots NCR
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) lots
Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) 1

Drove over to Guadalupe Mts where we camped on Roadside in national forest near
trailhead to Last Chance Canyon


9/3

Searched Last Chance Canyon in Guadalupe Mts where there are several stretches
of surface water, cattails, and sedges.  The site is about a mile hike back from
the primitive trailhead, or close to a 2 mile hike from the paved trailhead at
Sitting Bull Falls.  We've been coming to this area since the late 90s when my
brother did a Riparian Zone survey (for herps) of this site for the Forest
Service.  Over the years, we've noted substantial encroachment of vegetation and
siltation of the stream bed, with smaller surface pools.  I can't speak for how
this has affected the odonate populations, as I've only surveyed it twice - once
in 2012 and once this trip.  However, this has been a GOOD site for
Yellow-legged Ringtails both times we've searched it.  Found:

NM: Eddy Co; Lincoln National Forest, Guadalupe Mts, Last Chance Canyon -
0700-1200 hrs

Archilestes grandis (Great Spreadwing) 10+
Argia fumipennis (Variable Dancer) lots
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) lots
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) lots
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) lots
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) lots
Ischnura demorsa (Mexican Forktail) lots
Telebasis salva (Desert Firetail) 4-5
Rhionaescha cf multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) lots (I've seen Arroyo here in
past, both could have been flying today as well)
Erpetogomphus crotalinus (Yellow-legged Ringtail) 15+
Erythemis attala (Black Pondhawk)!!! 1 . . . (lifer for Dad) 1st State Record
Libellula comanche (Comanche Skimmer) 1
Libellula pulchella (Twelve-spotted Skimmer) 1
Libellula saturata (Flame Skimmer) lots
Sypmetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 10+
Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn Meadowhawk) 3 teneral

The Yellow-legged Ringtails at this site are consistently found perched in
Cattails and Sedge Beds where the cattails/sedges is laid down/has fallen over. 
Typically, there is water present that is about ankle deep underneat all this -
but we have yet to see one at an open pool.

The Black Pondhawk . . . I was working downstream near the upper section of
water maybe 50 meters below the one large standing pool at this site.  Was
pushing through some relatively thick brush.  Had just flushed up the 3 teneral
Autumn Meadowhawks out of vegetation when I flushed a dark "headed" (thorax) and
light-ringed "tailed" (abdomen) skimmer, which flew about and then perched
facing away from me.  Quite honestly, at first I was having trouble with the ID
as I went through my mental rolodex field guide flipping pages of dragon after
dragon that I expected to see in the area, all coming up blank (this is taking
like 1-2 seconds).  Then my mind skittered out of the box and landed on Black
Pondhawk (which I had first encountered this spring in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley of SoTX).  I called out to Dad, "Hey, I've got a female Black Pondhawk! 
I AM NOT KIDDING!" LOL . . . she changed positions several times, allowing
photos from quite a few different angles before flying off, not to be refound.

Left Last Chance just after noon, headed home.  Stopped at a couple of places on
way home in Texas, found very little:

TX: Reeves Co; Salt Creek below Red Bluff Reservoir Dam

Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) lots
Ischnura barberi (Desert Forktail) 5-6
Orthemis ferruginea (Roseate Skimmer) 1
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) lots

TX: Ward Co; Pecos River at TX 18 near Grandfalls

Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) 3
Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) lots
Ischnura barberi (Desert Forktail) 5
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 10+


All in all, it was a really good trip as we "hit" all of Dad's targets (Desert
Shadowdamsel, Arizona Snaketail, Gray Sanddragon, Dashed Ringtail, Brimstone
Clubtail, and Yellow-legged Ringtail) and also got two un-looked for Bonus
species (Western River Cruiser and Black Pondhawk).

Of course, now I just wish I could run back out that way and hit Bear Canyon to
search for the Straight-tipped Ringtail and get into Swamp Springs Canyon to
experience Odonate-shangrila!

Troy Hibbitts
Brackettville, TX

Excellent. We used to refer to any extreme road-trip survey to collect or
photo some rare animal species (usually on a weekend and with little or no
sleep, and always involving beer) as an example of "gonzo biology." This is
gonzo odonatology.
 
I look forward to seeing these photo-records on OC so we can officially log the
new records in the NM records database.


Thanks,
Jim

James N. Stuart
Albuquerque, NM
jnstuart61 AT yahoo.com
http://flickr.com/photos/stuartwildlife

"All calculations based on experience elsewhere fail in New Mexico" -- Lew
Wallace, New Mexico Territorial Governor, 1878-81



________________________________
  From: Troy <alterna2627@...>
To: SoWestOdes@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 4, 2012 5:01 PM
Subject: [SoWestOdes] Labor Day Weekend Trip Report, SE AZ and S NM



 

First off, I'd like to thank my Dad for taking me along on this one - I didn't
have the cash to take a trip this month, so he "hired me" as a tour guide and
bought gas.  I volunteered to do all the driving, and we raided my pantry on
Friday afternoon (8/31) and left just after 4:30 pm from Brackettville, TX . . .
arrived at the Gila River south of Clifton (Owl Creek Campground) at about 2 am
(AZ time, 4 am to our Texas clocks).

9/1
Awoke with the sun, ate a quick breakfast and headed up to Eagle Creek to search
for Desert Shadowdamsels . . . this was my 3rd attempt to see and photograph
this species, having struck out each of the two previous Septembers at Bonita
Creek.  Well, the third time was the charm, and the very first Ode I found at
this site was a female Shadowdamsel, right below the retaining wall near the
parking spot.  This was a really impressive Canyon - I really liked the steep
rocky walls and deep pools.  I also wished I'd looked over the OC checklist for
Greenlee County, as I would have photographed a few more "common" species - the
OC Checklist for this county is 24 species, and we could have easily doubled
that number had we photographed everything!  (Throughout, I've listed "NCR" =
New County Record per OC and ALL CAPS are my lifers  - the "photos?" is really
"if Dad got photos" 'cause I didn't LOL)

AZ: Greenlee Co; Eagle Creek at Lower Eagle Creek Road - 0700-1300 hrs

Hetaerina american (American Rubyspot) lots
PALAEMNEMA DOMINA (DESERT SHADOWDAMSEL) 12 (4 males, 7 females, 1 teneral)
Argia hinei (Lavendar Dancer) 2 NCR
Argia immunda (Kiowa Dancer) lots NCR (photos?)
Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) lots
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) 15-20 NCR
Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) 3 would have been NCR
Argia pallens (Amethyst Dancer) 2 NCR
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 2
Argia translata (Sooty Dancer) lots NCR
Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) 3 NCR (photos?)
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) lots
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) 4-5 NCR (photos?)
Ischnura demorsa (Mexican Forktail) lots
Telebasis salva (Desert Firetail) lots NCR (photos?)
Anax junius (Common Green Darner) 1 would have been NCR
Anax walshinghami (Giant Darner) 3 would have been NCR
Rhionaeschna multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) 3-4 would have been NCR
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis (Serpent Ringtail) 3
Macromia magnifica (Western River Cruiser) 1 NCR
Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) 10+
Dythemis nigrescens (Black Setwing) 5-6 NCR (photos?)
Erythemis collocata (Western Pondhawk) 10+ NCR
Erthrodiplax basifusca (Plateau dragonlet) 10+ NCR
Libellula luctuosa (Widow Skimmer) 2 NCR (photos?)
Libellula saturata (Flame Skimmer) lots
Orthemis ferruginea (Roseate Skimmer) 10+ NCR (photos?)
Paltothemis lineatipes (Red Rock Skimmer) lots NCR
Perithemis tenera (Eastern Amberwing) 3 NCR
Plathemis lydia (Common Whitetail) 1 would have been NCR
Pseudoleon superbus (Filigree Skimmer) 1 would have been NCR
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) lots
Tramea lacerta (Black Saddlebags) 10+ would have been NCR

Our next target was to go to higher elevations and look for Arizona Snaketails .
. . we ended up driving up to Alpine, then down to Reserve, NM, only stopping at
KP Cienega

AZ: Greenlee Co; KP Cienega 1515-1530

Aeshna interrupta (Variable Darner) 10+
Aeshna cf palmata (Paddle-tailed Darner) 1 would have been NCR
Sypmetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 2

Drove on to a site I've searched in years past near Reserve on the Tularosa
River - found:

NM: Catron Co; Tularosa River at FR 233 - 1800-1900 hrs

Hetaerina americana (American Rubyspot) lots
Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) 10+
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) 10+
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 2
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) 2
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) lots
Ischnura demorsa (Mexican Forktail) 2
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis (Serpent Ringtail) 10+
Ophiogomphus arizonicus (Arizona Snaketail) 2  (Lifer for Dad)

Drove down to sleep at Bill Evans Lake west of Silver City

9/2
Got up, at breakfast, then headed down to Gila River . . . found:

NM: Grant Co; Gila River at Newby Road (south of Bill Evans Lake) 0700-0945 hrs

Hetaerina americana (American Rubyspot) lots
Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) 6
Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) 1
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 1
Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) 1
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) 3
Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) 6
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis (Serpent Ringtail) 4
Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) tons!
Pantala hymenea (Spot-winged Glider) 1
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 4

On way out, spotted a Gray Sanddragon at a Creek Crossing, and spent an easy
hour trying to get quality photos for Dad - found

NM: Grant Co; creek crossing on Newby Road, 0.9 mi S jct Bill Evans Lake Rd -
1015-1115 hrs

Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) 5-6
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 2
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) 1
Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) 10+
Erpetogomphus lampropeltis (Serpent Ringtail) 5-6
Progomphus borealis (Gray Sanddragon) 2 (lifer for Dad)
Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) lots
Libellula saturata (Flame Skimmer) 2
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 4-5

Drove into Silver City for lunch and gas, then headed to the Mimbres River to
search for Dashed Ringtails . . . found LOTS!

NM: Grant Co; Mimbres River at Royal John Mine Rd - 1330-1500 hrs

Hetaerina americana (American Rubyspot) lots
Archilestes grandis (Great Spreadwing) 4-5
Argia lugens (Sooty Dancer) 4
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) lots
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) lots
Argia sedula (Blue-ringed Dancer) 4-5
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) 10+
Herperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) lots
Ischnura demorsa (Mexican Forktail) lots
Ischnura damula (Plains Forktail) 1
Rhionaeschna multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) 2
EREPETOGOMPHUS HETERODON (DASHED RINGTAIL) 25+!
Erpetogomphus lampropelits (Serpeent Ringtail) 5-6
Libellua saturata (Flame Skimmer) 1

Drove up through Galinas Canyon - did stop to search stream there but only saw a
single Variegated Meadowhawk . . . continued on to Rio Grande in northern Dona
Ana Co.  Stopped near Salem and spent some time searching banks of the Rio
Grande for Brimstone Clubtails (Dad found 1) - found:

NM: Dona Ana Co; Rio Grande at BB Romig Drive S of Salem - 1800-1930 hrs

Argia apicalis (Blue-fronted Dancer) 1 NCR
Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) lots
Argia sedula (Blue-ringed Dancer) 2
Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) 4-5
Anax junius (Common Green Darner) 4-5
Rhionaeschna multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) 10+
Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) 2
Stylurus intricatus (Brimstone Clubtail) 1
Stylurus plagiatus (Russett-tipped Clubtail) 2
Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) 1
Libellula pulchella (Twelve-spotted Skimmer) 1
Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) 1
Pantala flavescens (Wandering Glider) lots NCR
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) lots
Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) 1

Drove over to Guadalupe Mts where we camped on Roadside in national forest near
trailhead to Last Chance Canyon

9/3

Searched Last Chance Canyon in Guadalupe Mts where there are several stretches
of surface water, cattails, and sedges.  The site is about a mile hike back from
the primitive trailhead, or close to a 2 mile hike from the paved trailhead at
Sitting Bull Falls.  We've been coming to this area since the late 90s when my
brother did a Riparian Zone survey (for herps) of this site for the Forest
Service.  Over the years, we've noted substantial encroachment of vegetation and
siltation of the stream bed, with smaller surface pools.  I can't speak for how
this has affected the odonate populations, as I've only surveyed it twice - once
in 2012 and once this trip.  However, this has been a GOOD site for
Yellow-legged Ringtails both times we've searched it.  Found:

NM: Eddy Co; Lincoln National Forest, Guadalupe Mts, Last Chance Canyon -
0700-1200 hrs

Archilestes grandis (Great Spreadwing) 10+
Argia fumipennis (Variable Dancer) lots
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) lots
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) lots
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) lots
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) lots
Ischnura demorsa (Mexican Forktail) lots
Telebasis salva (Desert Firetail) 4-5
Rhionaescha cf multicolor (Blue-eyed Darner) lots (I've seen Arroyo here in
past, both could have been flying today as well)
Erpetogomphus crotalinus (Yellow-legged Ringtail) 15+
Erythemis attala (Black Pondhawk)!!! 1 . . . (lifer for Dad) 1st State Record
Libellula comanche (Comanche Skimmer) 1
Libellula pulchella (Twelve-spotted Skimmer) 1
Libellula saturata (Flame Skimmer) lots
Sypmetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 10+
Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn Meadowhawk) 3 teneral

The Yellow-legged Ringtails at this site are consistently found perched in
Cattails and Sedge Beds where the cattails/sedges is laid down/has fallen over. 
Typically, there is water present that is about ankle deep underneat all this -
but we have yet to see one at an open pool.

The Black Pondhawk . . . I was working downstream near the upper section of
water maybe 50 meters below the one large standing pool at this site.  Was
pushing through some relatively thick brush.  Had just flushed up the 3 teneral
Autumn Meadowhawks out of vegetation when I flushed a dark "headed" (thorax) and
light-ringed "tailed" (abdomen) skimmer, which flew about and then perched
facing away from me.  Quite honestly, at first I was having trouble with the ID
as I went through my mental rolodex field guide flipping pages of dragon after
dragon that I expected to see in the area, all coming up blank (this is taking
like 1-2 seconds).  Then my mind skittered out of the box and landed on Black
Pondhawk (which I had first encountered this spring in the Lower Rio Grande
Valley of SoTX).  I called out to Dad, "Hey, I've got a female Black Pondhawk! 
I AM NOT KIDDING!" LOL . . . she changed positions several times, allowing
photos from quite a few different
  angles before flying off, not to be refound.

Left Last Chance just after noon, headed home.  Stopped at a couple of places on
way home in Texas, found very little:

TX: Reeves Co; Salt Creek below Red Bluff Reservoir Dam

Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) lots
Ischnura barberi (Desert Forktail) 5-6
Orthemis ferruginea (Roseate Skimmer) 1
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) lots

TX: Ward Co; Pecos River at TX 18 near Grandfalls

Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) 3
Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) lots
Ischnura barberi (Desert Forktail) 5
Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 10+

All in all, it was a really good trip as we "hit" all of Dad's targets (Desert
Shadowdamsel, Arizona Snaketail, Gray Sanddragon, Dashed Ringtail, Brimstone
Clubtail, and Yellow-legged Ringtail) and also got two un-looked for Bonus
species (Western River Cruiser and Black Pondhawk).

Of course, now I just wish I could run back out that way and hit Bear Canyon to
search for the Straight-tipped Ringtail and get into Swamp Springs Canyon to
experience Odonate-shangrila!

Troy Hibbitts
Brackettville, TX




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I've attached links to the photos of the Black Pondhawk we found in Last Chance
Canyon yesterday . . .

On OC -
http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/SubmissionAction.get/submission_id/38157\
1

on my website -
http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/odonata/black_pondhawk.htm

Troy Hibbitts
Brackettville, TX

In case anyone is interested... a friend just got back from a week's cruise from
Galveston to Cozumel, Mexico. Out in the middle of the Gulf he found a dragonfly
on the ship. Knowing my interest he took a photo. It was a pristine looking male
Black Saddlebags. Now, we don't know if it had hitched a ride from port or
landed in mid-flight, but I thought it was interesting enough to share.

Bill


"I'm not an expert; I'm an enthusiast!"
New Mexico, U.S.A - The Land of Enchantment
http://www.bosquebill.com





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

James Lasswell, Bill Lindemann, and Jerry Hatfield from Texas, along with Bruce
Lund from Nevada and I were out with the Bitter Lake Nationnal Wildlfie Refuge
Biologist Jeff Sanchez going over our tour routes for the Dragonfly Festival
tomorrow when Jeff spotted an odd dragonfly from the van.  We first thought it
to be a Four-spotted Pennant, but when Jerry Hatfield looked at the dragonfly
through his big camera lens the dragonlfy turned out to be a male Band-winged
Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata).  Jerry Hatfield got some good photos of the
dragonlet which is a new record for New Mexico and the western most location for
this species in the U.S.  It was located on the Moist Soil Units east of Refuge
Unit 6 which Jeff had flooded earlier in the week for the Dragonfly
Festival.     

Robert R. Larsen
906 E. Orange St.
Roswell,  New Mexico  88201-7440
USA

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I am not endorsing this person, nor approving them for continuous use of
these Ode groups, but in case someone is interested, I am pasting their
message along here:

     --------------------
     FROM:forkitovrchef@...
     DATE: Mon, 10 Sep 2012 01:04:35 -0000
     SUBJECT: New Member INSECT COLLECTION 4SALE

     Inherited this 250+ specimen collection mounted, pinned,
     most labeled, from KENYA ARIZONA USA PANAMA HONDURAS
     MALAYSIA BELIZE FLORIDA USA KENTUCKY USA major National
     Parks USA kept in *glass pine Cornell Drawers by Bio Quip
     which are not included too heavy to ship for price. SELL
     NOW! $200. includes ship continental USA only USPS Priority
     2-3 day w/delivery proof. CALL 772-465-6252 to buy. SEE
     PHOTOS ALBUM titled INSECT COLLECTION 4SALE just added to
     photo area here. [snip - SoWestOdes Photo Album:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SoWestOdes/photos/album/191422360/pic/list]


--

California Dragonflies www.sonic.net/dragonfly
Southwest Dragonflies www.southwestdragonflies.net/
Bigsnest Wildlife Pond www.bigsnestpond.net/
----------------------------------------------------------------
Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest@... 707-823-2911
308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

After the great report from Troy and Terry Hibbitts last week, I decided
to visit Last Chance Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern
NM on Sunday.  The morning was cool, and it took some time before
odonate activity picked up.  I was really surprised by how lush this
spot is and how much water is present.  The vegetation was really thick,
so I didn't explore everything.  I also didn't want to trample this
gorgeous oasis.  It looked like there was substantial rain here recently
- enough to topple reeds.  I was very happy to find Yellow-legged
Ringtails, even if I couldn't find any pondhawks!

Last Chance Canyon 8:00am-2:20pm
Archilestes grandis (Great Spreadwing) 10
Argia fumipennis (Variable Dancer) 1
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) 8
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 50+
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) 20+
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) 4
Ischnura demorsa (Mexican Forktail) 2
Telebasis salva (Desert Firetail) 2
Rhionaescha sp. (Blue-eyed/Arroyo Darner) 6
Erpetogomphus crotalinus (Yellow-legged Ringtail) 2 or 3
Libellula saturata (Flame Skimmer) 12
Sypmetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 2
Pantala sp. (Glider sp.) 1
Pseudoleon superbus (Filigree Skimmer) 1

I also made a brief stop at Sitting Bull Falls, spending most of my time
photographing the abundant Painted Damsels there.  There is thick reed
vegetation downstream of the falls, which is similar to the habitat
where the Yellow-legged Ringtails were present at Last Chance Canyon,
but I didn't explore it.

Sitting Bull Falls 2:30-4:00pm
Argia fumipennis (Variable Dancer) 40
Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) 2
Argia plana (Springwater Dancer) 10+
Argia sedula (Blue-ringed Dancer) 5
Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) 2
Hesperagrion heterodoxum (Painted Damsel) 30+
Rhionaescha sp. (Blue-eyed/Arroyo Darner) 2
Libellula saturata (Flame Skimmer) 2
Sypmetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 2
Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn Meadowhawk) 1

Cheers,
Steve Collins
Lubbock, TX

Hello, all.

On our recent trip to Panama, Netta and I realized how burdened we were, both
while traveling (carryons that weigh 30 pounds) and in the field, with single
lens reflexes and big telephoto lenses. We spent time with people with little
point and shoot cameras with long zoom potential and saw that they were getting
seemingly as good photos of dragonflies as we were. I'm perfectly happy with
Nikon cameras and Sigma lenses around home, but I'm exploring the possibility of
carrying smaller and lighter cameras on future foreign trips.

So this message is to ask for commentary on odonate photography with the
intermediate point and shoot cameras with long zoom lenses, sometimes called
"bridge" cameras because of their intermediacy between SLRs and the smaller
P&Ss. I'm looking especially into the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 ($600) as a highly
reviewed camera, but it has competitors among Nikon, Canon, Sony, and others.
Has anyone used this Lumix or its predecessors (especially the FZ150) for
dragonflies and had great success? Have you seen any disadvantages? How about
others of this genre? What I don't want is a camera that you have to move up to
within 10 inches or less of the odonate to get its photo in macro mode! I assume
there are many people on these lists with similar questions.

Please excuse the cross-posting.

Dennis
-----
Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson@...





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello,

I have experience with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 bridge camera and have had
some good results over several years--but not to match those taken with DSLRs.
The camera is adaptable to conditions, relatively light, and has a ring focus
(on manual focus) and ring zoom control (optical x12. I believe the newer Lumix
has toggle controls.

I started to feel severe screen envy for a larger LCD and so recently got the
Nikon Coolpix P510, which came highly recommended. It has a lovely screen, but I
found the toggle controls almost impossible to adjust quickly and accurately, so
although the camera was light and compact, and sometimes got excellent results,
I missed a lot of shots. Auto focus was painfully slow if the background had any
clutter at all and manual focus was fiddly. So was switching between screen and
viewfinder. I ended up trading this camera in after three months' trial.

I now await delivery of a FujiFinepix HS30EXR bridge camera--and will go back to
a ring focus and an eye-recognition devise that changes from screen to
viewfinder when you put your eye to the viewfinder. Can't wait to try it.

However, I aspire to a real (read DSLR) setup when I'm close to home to see if I
can achieve photographs worthy of the odes--if I can ever decide the best combo
of camera body and lens to settle on..

Ann Cooper
Wordswild@...

---- Original Message -----
   From: Dennis Paulson
   To: Odonata-l ; NEOdes Odes ; SE Odonata ; great lakes odes ; Texas Odes ;
dragonfly listserve ; California Dragonfly and Damselfly Sightings CalOdes ;
nw_odonata@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 11:35 AM
   Subject: [SoWestOdes] camera question



   Hello, all.

   On our recent trip to Panama, Netta and I realized how burdened we were, both
while traveling (carryons that weigh 30 pounds) and in the field, with single
lens reflexes and big telephoto lenses. We spent time with people with little
point and shoot cameras with long zoom potential and saw that they were getting
seemingly as good photos of dragonflies as we were. I'm perfectly happy with
Nikon cameras and Sigma lenses around home, but I'm exploring the possibility of
carrying smaller and lighter cameras on future foreign trips.

   So this message is to ask for commentary on odonate photography with the
intermediate point and shoot cameras with long zoom lenses, sometimes called
"bridge" cameras because of their intermediacy between SLRs and the smaller
P&Ss. I'm looking especially into the Panasonic Lumix FZ200 ($600) as a highly
reviewed camera, but it has competitors among Nikon, Canon, Sony, and others.
Has anyone used this Lumix or its predecessors (especially the FZ150) for
dragonflies and had great success? Have you seen any disadvantages? How about
others of this genre? What I don't want is a camera that you have to move up to
within 10 inches or less of the odonate to get its photo in macro mode! I assume
there are many people on these lists with similar questions.

   Please excuse the cross-posting.

   Dennis
   -----
   Dennis Paulson
   1724 NE 98 St.
   Seattle, WA 98115
   206-528-1382
   dennispaulson@...

   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

FYI: And I'd like to encourage everyone to join. Yearly dues are $20,
and may be less next year when Argia, the quarterly newsletter of the
DSA, goes completely digital.
This issue has the article "Odes in the Mist" that tells the story of
our 2012 CalOdes/DSA Del Norte County Blitz. Don't miss it!!
Kathy


-------- Original Message --------
Subject:  Argia 24(3) now available
Date:  Mon, 17 Sep 2012 09:47:52 -0500
From:  jcabbott@...
Reply-To:  jcabbott@...
To:  bigsnest@...



The latest issue of Argia, volume 24, issue 3, is now available on line. You can
view it by following this link, http://tinyurl.com/Argia-24-3

You must be logged in to OdonataCentral and current on your dues to view the
issue. If you also receive a hardcopy, you can expect it in the mail shortly.

Cheers,
John Abbott, Editor
Dragonfly Society of the Americas







   ----------



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

FYI


-------- Original Message --------
Subject:  [Odonata-l] Looking for Enallagma hybrids or sites with
potentially hybridizing species
Date:  Tue, 18 Sep 2012 12:27:13 -0500
From:  Alexandra Barnard <barnard.alex1@...>
To:  <odonata-l@...>



I am a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma, studying
speciation and reproductive isolation in Enallagma damselflies.  I am
looking for potentially hybridizing species in the United States.  I
have read about male specimens with clasper morphology intermediate
between two species, suggesting the possibility of hybrids, especially
between E. carunculatum and E. anna, E. civile and E. anna, and E.
civile and E. carunculatum.

I am interested in investigating reproductive isolation between these
three species and am looking for sites in the contiguous US (or possibly
Canada) where at least two of them occur. I welcome any recommendations
of sites where two of these species are accessible and abundant in the
summer, as well as accounts of any putative hybrids or interspecific
tandems you may have found between these or other species.

Alex Barnard
PhD student
Fincke Lab
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Oklahoma




   ----------

_______________________________________________
Odonata-l mailing list
Odonata-l@...
https://mailweb.pugetsound.edu/mailman/listinfo/odonata-l



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello again.

I got a flurry of responses to my question about "bridge" cameras. Many of them
were posted on one odonate listserve or another, others were sent to me. Not
able to keep track of that, I will just send this to all the same lists.

The responses were varied, not surprising. Some people were adamant that they
were sticking to SLRs and good lenses for the best results. I don't doubt the
validity of that viewpoint. P&S cameras can be harder to focus in some
situations, and because of the smaller sensors, their image quality really can't
be as good as that of the better SLRs (as several have stated, the laws of
physics govern this).

But the question remains: if you want to cut down considerably on weight and
space and still want to get pretty good nature photos, what are some good
cameras for that?

I can't repeat all the arguments that were sent my way, but I would sum it up to
say the competition is among three cameras currently on the market:

Panasonic Lumix FZ200

Sony Cybershot DSC-HX200V

Canon SX40HS (SX50HS is coming soon)

All of these cameras were praised highly by one person or another, in at least a
few cases with knowledge of one or the other of its rivals. Some people sent me
photos or led me to their websites to see the results, and of course these were
usually very good photos! Often the praise was for older models of the same
camera, with the assumption that the newer model is probably even better (the
reviews seem to make that clear).

I still have not made a firm decision among them! They all seem quite good, but
there are some differences among them, and I'm trying to decide what features I
value most and which ones I could live without. All three have almost all the
good features!

A list of desired features in such cameras had been compiled by one colleague,
Bruce Marcot, and he sent it to me. I'll paste it in here.


- optical viewfinder
- ultrazoom optical zoom capability
- f4.6 at full zoom
- ability to add on UV filter for lens protection
- video full 1920 x 1080
- 12+mp
- quick shutter (short lag)
- rechargeable battery
- hot shoe (remote if available)
- fast burst mode, flash burst mode too if available
- image stabilization for photos and videos
- highest possible ISO (3200 if available)
- easy to hold, buttons NOT in the way
- usable macro mode (macro from a distance)
- can run on external A/C
- manual shutter speed and f-stop overrides
- long shutter speed (manual mode, at least 8 seconds)
- remote shutter release (cable or IR)

Accessories that should be available:
- extra batteries (at least 2 extra sets)
- external A/C battery charger
- external A/C power pack
- external telephoto flash (for the hot shoe)
(other accessories I already have and can use)

Other attributes I really don't care about:
- red-eye reduction
- face, smile, and blink recognition for portrait photos
- touch screen (actually, I do not want this)
- other automatic cutesy settings


You can easily find lots of online reviews of these cameras and should make your
own decision after learning everything you can. There are actually comparative
reviews that you can find just by entering two or all three camera names into a
search engine.

None of them is cheap, although there is variation among the three. I should add
that the Nikon competitors (e.g., Nikon Coolpix P510) were reviled more than
they were praised, so I haven't included them in this list, but you can read
their reviews as well. I have always been happy with Nikon SLRs.

Also note that the new mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses, produced
by most if not all of these companies, are smaller than SLRs and might suit some
people just fine as a bridge between this type of P&S and the classic SLR.

I have also been amazed by tiny P&S cameras that fit in a shirt pocket that take
surprisingly good photos in nature. They don't have very long zooms, but at
least some of them seem quite good for general photography and macro
photography. There are way too many of them for me to know anything about them
other than this.

Dennis
-----
Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson@...





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

A few more notes about bridge cameras:

Ability to manual focus easily is very important in these cameras that can be
difficult to autofocus on a small critter in a "busy" scene. Some cameras have a
ring focus like a typical SLR. You just about have to have that, rather than a
focus lever or - heaven forbid - a menu item.

One suggestion is to focus on something that's quite clear and about the same
size as your subject, lock the focus, and then shift over to the subject, moving
in and out until the image is clear. Focus on something that should have about
the same exposure, unless you can lock the focus without locking the exposure.

Also, some cameras have a macro focus assist that magnifies the center of the
image (not sure which of these four if any have that), making it easier to focus
critically.

One correspondent has the Nikon that I said was "reviled" and thinks it is the
best of all, so be sure to check out this brand as well.

I didn't mention that these P&S cameras give you more depth of field than an SLR
with long lens, so you can get dragonfly photos with both wings in focus, for
example. Not so good if you like those photos with a completely blurred
background.

Thanks to the many people who sent comments!

Dennis
-----
Dennis Paulson
1724 NE 98 St.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-528-1382
dennispaulson@...





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Twelve species this afternoon at Jewel of the Creek, noon to 4:00pm

Mexican Forktail (1 male)
Desert Firetail (a few males)
Aztec/California Dancer (common)
Springwater Dancer (common)
Sooty Dancer (common)
Fiery-eyed Dancer (1 male)

Giant Darner (2 males, 1 female ovipositing)
Serpent Ringtail (3 males)
Flame Skimmer (common)
Comanche Skimmer (3 males)
Mexican Amberwing (6 males)
Variegated Meadowhawk (common)

22 September 2012.



Papago Park, Phoenix, Maricopa Co., AZ



8:45 AM – 10:15 AM – Sunny, light breeze, 90 F



18 species seen:

     * Common Green Darner, Anax junius: 10
     * Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor: 1
     * Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum: 10
     * Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata: widespread
     * Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta: 5
     * STRIPED SADDLEBAGS, Tramea calverti: 1 male
     * Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata: 1 male
     * Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis: common
     * Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata: common
     * Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa: 8
     * Black Setwing, Dythemis nigrescens: 5
     * Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata: 7 males
     * Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea: 4
     * RED ROCK SKIMMER (location first), Paltothemis      lineatipes: 1
male
     * Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens: 1



     * Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii: common
     * Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata: 3
     * Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula: 4



Pierre Deviche, Phoenix, AZ.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

23 September 2012



10 AM – 4 PM: Sycamore Canyon,Santa Cruz, AZ



Mostly sunny, 85 F



Pictures and information on location: see azdragonfly.net
<http://azdragonfly.net>



24 species seen:

     * Neon Skimmer, Libellula croceipennis: 4 males
     * Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata: common
     * Red Rock Skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes: common
     * Slough Amberwing, Perithemis domitia: 1 male
     * Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa: 10
     * Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum: 4
     * Serpent Ringtail, Erpetogomphus lampropeltis: 5



     * American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana: 5
     * Great Spreadwing, Archilestes grandis: 5
     * Black-and-White Damsel, Apanisagrion lais: 10
     * California Dancer, Argia agrioides: 1 male (?first     county
record)
     * Spine-tipped Dancer, Argia extranea: 15
     * Lavender Dancer, Argia hinei: common
     * Sierra Madre Dancer, Argia lacrimans: 2 males
     * Aztec Dancer, Argia nahuana: 2 males
     * Fiery-eyed Dancer, Argia oenea: 5
     * Amethyst Dancer, Argia pallens: 10
     * Springwater Dancer, Argia plana: 15
     * Sabino Dancer, Argia sabino: 10
     * Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile: 1 male
     * Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma praevarum: common
     * Painted Damsel, Hesperagrion heterodoxum: 5
     * Mexican Forktail, Ischnura demorsa: 20
     * Desert Firetail, Telebasis salva: common



   Pierre Deviche, Phoenix, AZ.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I hear you Alex, but it isn't as dire as one would think.

High-end dSLR's are just that--high-end, made for the pros, and most of us
mortals will never own one.  If the camera is worth more than the car I
drive every day, it isn't even in the discussion.  And a fool with an
expensive tool is still a fool--money will not buy you good shots unless
somebody else shot them first.

The low-end point and shoots... well, are lower end.  Your camera sounds
like a middle-ground solution and if you're making images you're happy
with, then rock on.  That is what matters.

If you're going to chase odes and you want better images, the option still
exists to go backwards in dSLR generations.  Many companies online sell
very acceptable used dSLR's and used dSLR lenses at reasonable prices--far
less than $1K.  Combine a lower-end refurbed Nikon dSLR with older manual
focus Nikon glass and you could make some very good shots, some which might
rise to the level of publishable. Before the "Bigger is Better" crowd ramps
up, one of the best ode photogs I know (and a significant image contributor
to Dr. Paulson's Dragonflies of the East/West books) is shooting with an
8MP Canon body and non-Canon glass that he focuses manually.

But rolling us back to the original discussion... It was focused (yes, I
went there) on smaller equipment that could produce comparable results to
the big bodies and big glass without having to rent a pack mule to carry it
all.  Hence the discussion about bridge cameras.  The ones more suited to
scientific/publishable Ode work (DOF control, manual focus, solid zooms,
sharp glass, quick/responsive shutters) are going to set you back as much
a grand.  Special tool for special job.

But we're straying away from Odes here and I'd much rather talk about Odes
than what I use to make my images of them.  I'd be happy to engage with you
off the grid or start a larger discussion elsewhere (G+ perhaps?) if more
want to join so we can get back to observations.

Warmest regards -
Jim Miller
San Antonio
http://jphotoramble.wordpress.com
Ode Photo a Day on G+ (#OdeADay with +Kimberly Hosey and +Michael Hensley)

On Tue, Sep 25, 2012 at 6:24 AM, Alex Netherton <
blueridgediscovery@...> wrote:

>
> > I think we also need to look at a few things that many Ode hunters face;
> simple economics. I am disabled, and on Social Security, which brings me
> about 1/3 what I could never live on while working. Many people who are Ode
> hunters are strapped economically, and I suspect that many are unemployed,
> or underemployed. For some, the expense of a DSLR is simply out of the
> question. Example; I just poked in "bestbuy.com" in my browser, and
> discovered that their high end DSLR's are about $7,000.00 US and that is
> JUST THE BODY! Lenses can be very expensive too.
> >
> > For many, $7000 US is 6 months pay. (Minimum wage.) For many in this
> state ($10.00/hr), this is about 3 months wage, and don't forget, you have
> to buy a lens. For many, this is simply not an option. And, please don't
> say if you can't afford it, don't hunt Odes. Elitism makes me grumpy.
>
> Some bridge cameras would be affordable, especially with layaway; BestBuy
> lists a couple in the $300 - 500 range. (For layaway, you have to do K-Mart
> [all year] -  or Wal-Mart - [only at Christmas]).
> >
> > Many like to photograph things, and cannot afford the best, not even a
> bridge camera. I think that in any discussion, we need to talk about
> "economy" stuff, for those on the lower end of the socioeconomic scale who
> want to hunt and photograph Odes, "middle of the road", for those who can
> afford a little more, and such as that. That way, we can all enjoy. I use a
> 10 megapixel Kodak "Easy Share" with a 10x zoom, and I often get acceptable
> (for me) shots, at least for ID, and I have seen cameras that allow
> touching the screen to focus, which is wonderful. Curiously, I have even
> managed to take some nice photos of a Goldenrod Spider and an Ambush Bug
> with my phone, and had you told me 20 years ago that I would take decent
> quality photos with a phone, I would have laughed at the joke.
> >
> > So, why don't we find "affordable" stuff, for those who can't, and try
> to suggest a range of options for everybody? IMHO.
> Alex Netherton Asheville NC
> Blue Ridge Discovery
>  <http://blueridgediscovery.com>
> On 9/21/2012 1:08 PM, Dennis Paulson wrote:
>
>
>  A few more notes about bridge cameras:
>
>  Ability to manual focus easily is very important in these cameras that
> can be difficult to autofocus on a small critter in a "busy" scene. Some
> cameras have a ring focus like a typical SLR. You just about have to have
> that, rather than a focus lever or - heaven forbid - a menu item.
>
>  One suggestion is to focus on something that's quite clear and about the
> same size as your subject, lock the focus, and then shift over to the
> subject, moving in and out until the image is clear. Focus on something
> that should have about the same exposure, unless you can lock the focus
> without locking the exposure.
>
>  Also, some cameras have a macro focus assist that magnifies the center
> of the image (not sure which of these four if any have that), making it
> easier to focus critically.
>
>  One correspondent has the Nikon that I said was "reviled" and thinks it
> is the best of all, so be sure to check out this brand as well.
>
>  I didn't mention that these P&S cameras give you more depth of field
> than an SLR with long lens, so you can get dragonfly photos with both wings
> in focus, for example. Not so good if you like those photos with a
> completely blurred background.
>
>  Thanks to the many people who sent comments!
>
>  Dennis
>  -----
> Dennis Paulson
> 1724 NE 98 St.
> Seattle, WA 98115
> 206-528-1382
> dennispaulson@...
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Odonata-l mailing list
> Odonata-l@...
> https://mailweb.pugetsound.edu/mailman/listinfo/odonata-l
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Forwarding this message - If you DON'T already know Ed's fantastic work,
please do check it out!!
Kathy

Hi all,

Ed Lam now has a gallery page on his website featuring some of the original art
work from his classic guide: "Damselflies of the Northeast." They are for sale
and are a steal. I've nagged him for years about selling some of his work, so I
got my order in right away. I suggest you do the same! Really beautiful stuff.
Great opportunity.

These are the only two ode discussion groups I subscribe to, but it would be
appreciated if some of you posted to others.

http://edlam.net/sale.html

Marion Dobbs
9 Bridlewood Lane
Rome GA  30165
ecurlew AT mac.com
http://www.mamomi.net
http://mamomi.smugmug.com

"In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice, but
nothing to choose from"_Peter Ustinov

_______________________________________________
Odonata-l mailing list
Odonata-l@...
https://mailweb.pugetsound.edu/mailman/listinfo/odonata-l

Just added a scan of the Autumn Meadowhawk to my website(s).
           This species is just now showing up, while most other species
           are already in decline for this flight season. The female is
           easier to ID than the male as she has a huge ovipositor,
           looking somewhat like a 'thorn' -


           http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/SymVici9-2012.jpg


             I encourage you to document it if possible in your area.
           There are many 'holes' in the map and surely the species is in
           Nevada, although it has never been recorded there.

See the map from my SW website for this species:
http://southwestdragonflies.net/18brafur.jpg

Hope you can find more occurrences of this species. We only have 9
documented records for ALL of Calif!!

Kathy

Ps. More info on this species:
http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/2_Anisoptera.html#vicinum



           <http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/SymVici9-2012.jpg>

--

California Dragonflies www.sonic.net/dragonfly
Southwest Dragonflies www.southwestdragonflies.net/
Bigsnest Wildlife Pond www.bigsnestpond.net/
----------------------------------------------------------------
Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest@... 707-823-2911
308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hello all-



Sorry for the inevitable cross-posting, but if you've begun wondering what
to get your friends and family for the holidays this year, you might want to
check out the new Xerces Dragonflies of North America 2013 Calendar, which
just went on sale today.  More information and a preview are available at
http://www.xerces.org/calendar/ .



Cheers!



Celeste

_________________________________________

Celeste A. Mazzacano, Ph. D.

Staff Scientist / Aquatic Program Director, Xerces Society

Project Coordinator, Migratory Dragonfly Partnership
  <https://www.facebook.com/MigratoryDragonflyPartnership> Description:
FB_icon_small   <https://twitter.com/Dragonfly_MDP> Description:
twitter-bird-white-on-blue


The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

628 NE Broadway, suite 200, Portland, OR 97232, USA

Tel: (503) 232-6639 x105 / Cell: (503) 490-0389

Toll free: 1-855-232-6639 x105
  <mailto:celeste@...> celeste@... /  <http://www.xerces.org/>
www.xerces.org
  <https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Xerces-Society/193182577358618>
Description: FB_icon_small



The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international
nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of
invertebrates and their habitat.
Find more information on at-risk aquatic invertebrates at
<http://www.xerces.org/aquatic-invertebrates/>
www.xerces.org/aquatic-invertebrates/ .





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Anyone interested in working in Odes....

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: *Earth Expeditions* <earthexpeditions@...
<mailto:earthexpeditions@...>>
Date: Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 4:59 AM
Subject: Request to distribute info from Miami U's Dragonfly
To: Earth Expeditions <earthexpeditions@...
<mailto:earthexpeditions@...>>


Hello,

Here in Ohio, we’ve been pleased to have the opportunity to distribute a
one-page electronic flier to educators throughout the state. We hope to
have a similar opportunity to let informal educators, conservationists,
ecologists, scientists, naturalists and others in your area know about a
professional development opportunity from Miami University.

Project Dragonfly is a program in Miami University’s Zoology Department
that offers first-hand experience at critical conservation field sites
in Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas. Accepted applicants can
reside anywhere in the world. Below is a press release with more
information about the program, including that the deadline to apply is
January 28, 2013.

Please let me know whether it might be possible for you to distribute an
electronic flier to your educators, and I’ll forward it to you
immediately. Thanks so very much, and I hope to hear from you soon, Connie

Connie Malone
Project Dragonfly, Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513.529.5103 <tel:513.529.5103>; 513.529.8574 <tel:513.529.8574>, fax
malonecm@... <mailto:malonecm@...>
_____________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2012
CONTACT: Connie Malone
513.529.5103 <tel:513.529.5103>; EarthExpeditions@...
<mailto:EarthExpeditions@...>

Accepting applications now for 2013

OXFORD, Ohio – Applications are now being accepted for 2013 summer/fall
graduate field courses and the Global Field Program, which offer
international conservation studies in 12 countries throughout Africa,
Asia, Australia and the Americas.  New for 2013 is a course offering in
Hawai'i.

Earth Expeditions graduate courses and the Global Field Program (GFP)
bring together graduate students, scientists, educators and community
leaders at critical conservation sites worldwide. Sites for 2013 include
the Amazon, Australia, Baja, Belize, Borneo, Costa Rica, Guyana,
Hawai'i, Kenya, Mongolia, Namibia and Thailand.

Tuition for seven graduate credits and all basic in-country expenses are
covered in the $1,340 course costs. Accepted students are responsible
for airfare.

Earth Expeditions and the GFP, which can be completed part-time from
anywhere in the United States or abroad, are open to educators and other
professionals from all disciplines and settings. For information and to
apply, please visit:

Earth Expeditions: http://earthexpeditions.org/
Global Field Program: http://gfp.projectdragonfly.org/

Applicants in the Cincinnati, Cleveland, Chicago, Denver, Phoenix, San
Diego and Seattle regions may be interested in Dragonfly's additional
master's degree, the community-based Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP),
co-delivered with premier learning institutions in select U.S. cities.
For more information, visit http://aip.projectdragonfly.org/.
Project Dragonfly reaches millions of people each year through
inquiry-driven learning media, public exhibits and graduate programs
worldwide. Dragonfly is housed at Miami University, a state university
in Oxford, Ohio, established in 1809 and listed as one of the eight
original Public Ivies.
View updates and "Like" Project Dragonfly on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/PrjDragonfly.

###
Project Dragonfly
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513.529.5103 <tel:513.529.5103>









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Please let me know if you've seen an Ode later (in CA) than the date
posted below.


Boreal Bluet August 6 (on blitz)
Bleached Skimmer Aug. 31
Hoary Skimmer Sept. 1*

Thanks everyone. As things wind down it's good to get those reports in!!
Kathy
*
--
California Dragonflies www.sonic.net/dragonfly
Southwest Dragonflies www.southwestdragonflies.net/
Bigsnest Wildlife Pond www.bigsnestpond.net/
----------------------------------------------------------------
Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest@... 707-823-2911
308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Just to let you know that a new Western Odonata Facebook Group has been
started....it would be a great place for all of us to share migration
information.
The group can be found at http://www.facebook.com/groups/WesternOdonata/
We can all thank Sandra Hunt-von Arb for setting this up....we'd
discussed it for a bit, the Northeast and other area's FaceBook pages
are getting fairly heavy use and many folks are learning from the
discussions there, me included!!
Kathy Biggs

California Dragonflies www.sonic.net/dragonfly
Southwest Dragonflies www.southwestdragonflies.net/
Bigsnest Wildlife Pond www.bigsnestpond.net/
----------------------------------------------------------------
Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest@... 707-823-2911
308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472
On 10/3/2012 9:42 PM, Range Bayer wrote:
> Hi,
>
> In southwest Newport, I periodically looked for a dragonfly flight
> throughout today (Oct. 3) and didn't see anything like a major flight
> with a flight rate of 5 or more per minute.  I also did not receive
> any reports of a dragonfly flight from anyone else.
>
> It was a nice weather day with a high of 72F at one nearby Newport
> weather station, with weak winds (usually less than 5 mph but
> sometimes up to about 10 mph at about 2 PM) from the east
>
(http://english.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KORNEWPO10\
&month=10&day=3&year=2012).
>
> The winds do not seem strong enough from the east for long enough for
> a flight, but maybe in the next few days?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Range Bayer, Newport
>
> On Wed, Oct 3, 2012 at 7:51 AM, Mike Patterson <celata@...> wrote:
>> It's kind of late in the season, but east winds are predicted along
>> the north Oregon Coast for the next 3 days.  49F right now, but
>> expected to warm into the 70's.
>>
>> --
>> Mike Patterson
>> Astoria, OR
>> Pareidolia
>> http://www.surfbirds.com/community-blogs/northcoastdiaries/?p=961
>> ------------------------------------
>> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Rich Bailowitz went to the San Bernardino NWR east of Douglas, AZ yesterday and
found 31 species. One species discovered(Slough Amberwing) tied a late date for
AZ. Interestingly the individual was teneral!

DAMSELFLIES
California Spreadwing (Archilestes californica)-6
Great Spreadwing (A. grandis)-3
Plateau Spreadwing (Lestes alacer)-3
Spine-tipped Dancer (Argia extranea)-1
Aztec Dancer (A. nahuana)-9
Springwater Dancer (A. plana)-2
Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile)-common
Arroyo Bluet (E. praevarum)-common
Claw-tipped Bluet (E. semicirculare)-2
Painted Damsel (Hespergrion heterodoxum)-1
Black-fronted Forktail (Ischnura denticollis)-8
Mexican Forktail (I. demorsa)-common
Citrine Forktail (I. hastata)-1
Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva)-common

DRAGONFLIES
Common Green Darner (Anax junius)-common
Malachite Darner (Remartinia luteipennis)-1
Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor)-common
Plateau Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax basifusca)-8
Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata)-common
Widow Skimmer (Libellusla luctuosa)-1 female true to it's name
Flame Skimmer (L. saturata)-common
Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea)-2
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipenns)-common
WanderingGlider (Pantala flavescensa)-1
Slough Amberwing (Perithemis domitia)-1
Mexican Amberwing (Perithemis intensa)-common
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)-2
Filigree Skimmer (Pseudoleon superbus)-1
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)-common
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)-6
Red Saddlebags (T. onusta)=1

Doug Danforth
Bisbee, AZ

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Two days at Muleshoe Ranch this past weekend produced 21 species:

Canyon Rubyspot--1 male
Great Spreadwing--common
Familiar Bluet--a few
Painted Damsel--common
Black-and-white Damsel--a few
Desert Firetail--common
Lavender Dancer--3 males
Amethyst Dancer--a few
Tarascan Dancer--common
Springwater Dancer--common

Malachite Darner--3
Persephone's Darner--1 male
Blue-eyed Darner--6 male, 3 females
Common Whitetail--1 male, 1 female
Neon Skimmer--common, males only
Flame Skimmer--common, males only
Carmine Skimmer--2 males
Mexican Amberwing--common
Variegated Meadowhawk--common
Blue Dasher--1 male, 1 female
Wandering Glider--6

The most productive areas were the pool on the entrance road in front of the
Visitor's Center and the pools a couple hundred yards up R&R Canyon.  Lack of a
4x4 vehicle kept me from entertainng any notion of the trek into Swamp Springs
Canyon and the ubiquitous Spanish Needle kept me out of Bass Canyon.

Jim

On a fall day that defined why we all live here--calm, cloudless, never broke 90
degrees, I had 15 species at Jewel of the Creek between Noon and 4:00pm:

Canyon Rubyspot--several males, 1 female
Familiar Bluet--several
Painted Damsel--1 male, 1 female
Desert Firetail--common
Lavender Dancer--3 pair in tandem
Aztec Dancer--common
Springwater Dancer--common
Fiery-eyed Dancer--2 males

Giant Darner--1 female ovipositing
Serpent Ringtail--3 males, 1 female
Neon Skimmer--3 males
Flame Skimmer--common
Comanche Skimmer--2 males
Variegated Meadowhawk--common
Black Setwing--2 males

Jim

13 & 14 October 2012



My wife Dany and I spent last weekend at the Muleshoe Ranch Nature
Conservancy Area, Cochise Co., AZ, where we visited the Ranch
headquarter pond, Bass Canyon, Hot  Springs Canyon, and Double Ranch
Canyon (see

http://azdragonfly.net/location/muleshoe-ranch
<http://azdragonfly.net/location/muleshoe-ranch>  for location
information.)



We found 33 species (complete list below), including

-          One male WHITE-TAILED SYLPH. This observation provides the
second record of the species for the USA (1st record: San Bernardino,
AZ, 2007); see White-tailed Sylph <http://azdragonfly.net/news/335>

-          MAYAN SETWINGS: new late flying date for species in AZ; see
Mayan Setwing <http://azdragonfly.net/news/336>


-          SLOUGH AMBERWING: new late flying date for species in AZ;

-          SPOT-WINGED MEADOWHAWK: close to the northern limit of the
species' distribution; see Spot-winged Meadowhawk
<http://azdragonfly.net/news/337>

-          10 dancer species, inc. PIMA DANCERS; see Pima Dancer
<http://azdragonfly.net/species/pima-dancer>




Also of note, a male Aztec Dancer, A. nahuana, presenting an elongated
black stripe on the second abdominal segment. This mark (as compared to
a round spot) is normally characteristic of California Dancer, A.
agrioides (Paulson 2009). See Aztec Dancer
<http://azdragonfly.net/news/338>



See http://azdragonfly.net <http://azdragonfly.net/>  for more pictures
and other information.



List of species seen Oct 13-14:

     1. Malachite Darner, Remartinia luteipennis: 1
     2. Serpent Ringtail, Erpetogomphus lampropeltis: 7
     3. Pale-faced Clubskimmer, Brechmorhoga mendax: 3
     4. Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum: 6
     5. SPOT-WINGED MEADOWHAWK, Sympetrum signiferum: 1      male
     6. Red Rock Skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes: common
     7. Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata: common
     8. Neon Skimmer, Libellula croceipennis: common
     9. Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea: 2
    10. MAYAN SETWING, Dythemis maya: 10-15 males, 1      female
    11. Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta: 1
    12. WHITE-TAILED SYLPH, Macrothemis pseudimitans: 1      male
    13. Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa: 2 males
    14. SLOUGH AMBERWING, Perithemis domitia: 1 male



     1. Painted Damsel, Hesperagrion heterodoxum: 25
     2. Black-and-White Damsel: Apanisagrion lais: 20
     3. Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile: 1 male
     4. Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma      praevarum: common
     5. Springwater Dancer, Argia plana: common
     6. Spine-tipped Dancer, Argia extranea: 15
     7. Lavender Dancer, Argia hinei: common
     8. Aztec Dancer, Argia nahuana: 2+ males
     9. Fiery-eyed Dancer, Argia oenea: common
    10. Sooty Dancer, Argia lugens: 15
    11. Tarascan Dancer, Argia tarascana: 30
    12. Sierra Madre Dancer, Argia lacrimans: 3 males
    13. PIMA DANCER, Argia pima: 2 males
    14. Amethyst Dancer, Argia pallens: 4
    15. American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana: 1 male
    16. Canyon Rubyspot, Hetaerina vulnerata: common
    17. Desert Forktail, Telebasis salva: 20
    18. Mexican Forktail, Ischnura demorsa: < 5
    19. Great Spreadwings, Archilestes grandis: common



Pierre  Deviche, Phoenix, AZ.



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