Birdingonthe.Net Recent Postings from The CalOdes List > Home > Mail > Alerts Updated on Sunday, May 11 at 01:39 PM ET The most recently received Mail is at the top.	Red-winged Blackbird

11 May Colusa Co [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 9 May Riverside County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 4 May San Bernardino County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 03 May Mono and Inyo Counties [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 3 May American River, Sacramento Co., 5/2 [] 28 Apr SoCal Report(s) [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 27 Apr Riverside County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 26 Apr San Diego ["Douglas Aguillard" ] 22 Apr CA links [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 19 Apr Imperial County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 20 Apr Upper Bidwell Park - Butte County [Ray Bruun ] 19 Apr 35 species + programs [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 19 Apr Mission Trails Regional Park; San Diego ["petespino8" ] 13 Apr San Diego County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 14 Apr Glider ["aguillard2469" ] 13 Apr San Diego ["aguillard2469" ] 08 Apr early dates [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 07 Apr Enallagma basidens [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 07 Apr Southwestern Ode maps [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 07 Apr New early dates [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 07 Apr Re: Riverside County Odes [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 6 Apr Riverside County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 06 Apr A Passing...Herb Clarke ["aguillard2469" ] 5 Apr Imperial County ["Peter Siminski" ] 05 Apr Sonoma Co. [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 04 Apr New CA+SW dfly records submitted 1st quarter 2008 [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 04 Apr Cardinals emerging [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 31 Mar Dusky Dancers, Arizona [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 31 Mar Los Angeles Co. ["Bruce Deuel" ] 30 Mar Riverside & Imperial County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 30 Mar Sonoma Co [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 30 Mar dragonfly talks and walks thru mid-May [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 30 Mar American River Parkway, Sacramento Co., 27 March 2008 [] 29 Mar East Bay + emergers [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 28 Mar Re: Unknown Damselflies [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 28 Mar Unknown Damselflies ["BJ Stacey" ] 26 Mar Sonoma Co., #20 [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 25 Mar CA Dragonfly Field Key [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 25 Mar Beaverpond Baskettail ["Ray Bruun" ] 23 Mar Coyote Canyon Borrego Springs [Bob Miller ] 20 Mar Sonoma Co. [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 20 Mar Tony Harrow [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 19 Mar Imperial County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 18 Mar Annual State of the Union message ["aguillard2469" ] 17 Mar Sad News [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 16 Mar Odonata envelopes and books available ["Intl Odonata Research Inst" ] 13 Mar Sonoma Co. [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 13 Mar NEOS Adventurer Overshoes ["aguillard2469" ] 13 Mar Re: Anza Borrego San Diego County [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 13 Mar Anza Borrego San Diego County [Bob Miller ] 9 Mar Riverside County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 9 Mar FOY (for me) Cal Darner [Steve Rovell ] Subject: Colusa Co From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 11:40:16 -0700 *May 8, 2008 Colusa County* *Kathy & Dave Biggs* Bear Creek AT Hwy 20 We stopped for ~1/2 hr from12-12:30. 74F, no wind. From the road we saw *American Rubyspot* - 1 m *Familiar Bluet* - several *Tule Bluet* - several *Bluet sp *- quite a few *Vivid Dancer* - 1 f *Pacific Clubtail *- several (~6-8) *Common Green Darner* *California Darner *(appeared to be several) *Blue-eyed Darner* (one appeared to be this species) *Flame Skimmer* - several (6-8?) no others seen Sacramento Game Refuge/I-5 1-1:10 - ponds by visitor's center NO ODES AT ALL! We're up in WA now - dreary and wet. Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ Subject: Riverside County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 17:13:11 -0700 May 9, 2008 Riverside County Peter Siminski Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis and San Andres Oasis; 8:40-14:20, cirrus, 75-90F, calm to light winds SW. CA/Aztec Dancer, Argia sp 1 Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 3 (one in hand) Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula ~17 including four ovipositing tandem pairs. Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 3 Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 4 including an ovipositing pair. Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 1 Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii >45 including a wheel. Variegated Meadohawk, Sympetrum corruptum 5 Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata 12 Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata ~30 including a wheel. Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis >100 including a wheel. Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche 10 Bleached Skimmer, Libellula composita 3 Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata ~22 Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata >40 including a tandem pair ovipositing. Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 2 Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 3 Note: The 100+ Washingtonia palms to the east of the main spring at Dos Palmas were recently burned; no skirts left, trunks black. Subject: San Bernardino County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 19:40:47 -0700 May 3, 2008 San Bernardino County Peter Siminski Mojave River below the BLM campground in Afton Canyon; 10:15-13:10, sunny, 80-90F, light wind 5mph NW. California Dancer, Argia agrioides 6 (one in hand) Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta >80 including many tandem and ovipositing pairs. Black-fronted Forktail, Ischnura denticollis >60 including eight tandem pairs. Desert Firetail, Telebasis salva 15 including one tandem pair. Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1 Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 2 Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum >50 almost all freshly emerged and weakly flying. Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata >40 including four ovipositing females and one wheel. Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata ~35 including one wheel. Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 2 Soda Mineral Spring pond at Zzyzx; 14:30-15:50, high cirrus, ~95F, calm. Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 26 including three tandem ovipositing pairs. Tule or Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum or praevarum 2, they looked like E. carunculatum. Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 10 including one wheel. Common Green Darner, Anax junius 2 Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 2 Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 23 including one wheel and one ovipositng female. Subject: Mono and Inyo Counties From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sat, 03 May 2008 17:57:13 -0800 Here is a report for our 2+ days in the area: **May 2, 2008***__* *_Inyo County_* **Kathy & Dave Biggs runoff creek from Fales Hot Springs, Hwy 395 AT Bircham *** *River Bluet,/ Enallagma anna/*/ /- one teneral seen - still all soft and colorless - new early flight date: old date 6/3/2005 *May 1, 2008*__ _Mono County_** *Ron & Barbara Oriti; Kathy & Dave Biggs* Pupfish Pond: ** *Four-spotted Skimmers* - many** *Flame Skimmer* - 1 ** *Black Saddlebags* - 1 * * **Paddletail Darner /Aeshna palmata/* - 1 male seen well while perched by Kathy thru binoculars new early flight data: old date 5/11/07 * Hoary Skimmer *- 1 *Black-fronted Forktail** Blue-ringed Dancer Paiute Dancer* [note: Ron saw a* Desert Whitetail *at this site the next day]** Fish Slough #4: *California Darner* - 1 probably this species, a little small & grayish *Western Pondhawk* - 1 female *Paiute Dancer** Vivid Dancer** Forktail*, possibly a Western or Desert ? *Black-fronted Forktail** Pacific Forktail*** Fish Slough #3: *Blue-eyed Darner California Darner** Flame Skimmer* - 1 *Western Pondhawks*, 1 male, 1 female *Four-spotted Skimmer* - 1 *Aztec/CA Dancer** Blue-ringed Dancer** Bluet*, sp. Fish Slough #2: *Western Pondhawk* - 1 *Four-spotted Skimmer* - 1 *Darner sp*, mosaic typle - 1 *Black-fronted Forktail** Pacific Forktail** ...* *_Inyo County_* Fish Slough #1: *Darner* 1 *Variegated Meadowhawk* 1 *Western Forktail *** *April 30, 2008 _Inyo County_* *Kathy & Dave Biggs* Mazourka Springs AT Mazourka Rd. off 395, Independence, 75F, 4:15-4:45** *Paiute Dancer - *many** *Black-fronted Forktail - *many** *Western Pondhawk *- a few* * *Hoary Skimmer *- 1 male* * Dirty Socks Springs AT Owens Lake, 3:00-3:30, 74-76F, windy *Blue-ringed Dancer Paiute Dancer Tule Bluet Black-fronted Forktail Desert Forktail * ** *April 29, 2008 _San Bernardino County_* *Kathy & Dave Biggs* Joshua Tree National Park; Barker Dam What a disappointment - no Roseate Skimmers this time! *Familiar Bluet Variegated Meadowhawk * **Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: American River, Sacramento Co., 5/2 From: ylightfoot AT aol.com Date: Sat, 3 May 2008 14:01:04 EDT Hi folks: Yesterday (5/2) morning while doing yardwork in the backyard, I had close looks at a male Sinuous Snaketail (Ophiogomphus occidentis), only the second time I have seen one in my yard. This got me thinking that they must be emerging in pretty good numbers along the nearby American River, so I hiked around some backwater lagoons in the American River Parkway behind Rio Americano High School from about 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. Ode seens included: Tule Bluet -- a couple males netted; 75-100 other possibles seen Arroyo Bluet -- two males netted; 75-100 other possibles seen (no doubt some overlap with Tule Bluets) Familiar Bluet -- a couple of males netted; 100+ others seen Pacific Forktail -- 80 Exclamation Damsel -- easily 200-300 seen, the most common damselfly species seen Common Green Darner -- 30 Sinuous Snaketail -- 12 Pacific Clubtail -- 3 or 4 Western Pondhawk -- 1 male Common Whitetail -- 75 Widow Skimmer -- 10 12-spotted Skimmer -- 3 Variegated Meadowhawk -- 16 Cheers, Tim Manolis **************Wondering what's for Dinner Tonight? Get new twists on family favorites at AOL Food. (http://food.aol.com/dinner-tonight?NCID=aolfod00030000000001) Subject: SoCal Report(s) From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:44:35 -0700 Dave and I are making a loop thru southern California, giving dragonfly programs as we go: *April 26, 2008 _Los Angeles County_ Kathy & Dave Biggs, mo* Madrona Marsh, Torrance 4-5 pm, 80F but windy *Pacific Forktail* - a few *Common Green Darner* *Mosaic-type Darner* *Blue Dasher* - many males *Variegated Meadowhawk *- one teneral female *April 27, 2008 _Orange County_ Kathy & Dave Biggs, mo* El Dorado Nature Center, Longbeach 11-12;30, 97F *Pacific Forktail* - some *Familiar Bluet *- many, inc. one on maiden flight, tandems &wheels *Blue Dasher* - many males *April 28, 2008 _Riverside County_ Kathy & Dave Biggs* Lake Fulmar (small - a few acres)/ Hwy 243; 5000'+ elevation, 1-1:30, 76-78F *Pacific Forktail* - dozens inc. 1 young female *Western Forktail* - 1 mature female *Tule Bluet *- mostly males *Blue-eyed Darner *- 1-2 dozen prowling males, 1 female in a tandem *Common Green Darner *- 2 males *Flame Skimmer* - 2-3 males *Cardinal Meadowhawk* - 2-3 males Coachella Valley Preserve, 4-4:45, 97-93F *American Rubyspot*- 1 fremale *Sooty Dancer* - about 6 males *Vivid Dancer* - many Tomorrow nite we give a program at the Palm Springs Library and then we head up 395 thru the Owen's Valley and then over the Sierra Nevada. Cheers!! Kathy Biggs -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ Subject: Riverside County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:29:23 -0700 April 27, 2008 Riverside County Peter Siminski Coachella Valley Preserve, Thousand Palms Oasis; 9:10-12:00, light high cirrus, 85-92F, calm to light N wind. California Dancer, Argia agrioides 5 including one tandem pair (one in hand) Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 5 (one in hand) Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 16 including 4 tandem pairs. Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 4 April 26, 2008 Riverside County Peter Siminski CDFG San Jacinto Wildlife Area; 9:10-13:30, sunny, 75-90F, calm to light W wind. Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum 2 (1 in hand) Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 100s including many tandem pairs ovipostiing (3 in hand) Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula 3 Common Green Darner, Anax junius 7 Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor >30 including one wheel. Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1 Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 3 including one ovipositing female. Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 8 Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa 1 Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 14 including three tandem pairs. Note: Thousands of Painted ladies; >30 per minute crossing roads in a northerly direction; many feeding on mustard. Subject: San Diego From: "Douglas Aguillard" <doug AT basiclink.com> Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2008 16:40:03 -0700 Today at Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, I had one Wandering Glider. At Bledsloe's Pond in the Tijuana River Valley was the following 4 Blue-eyed Darners, 1 Flame Skimmer, 1 Cardinal Meadowhawk, 1 Blue Dasher and 1 Pacific Forktail. In the eastern portion of the Tijuana River Valley, 20 Black-fronted Forktails and 1 Blue Dasher. Then it was off to Lily lake at Greenwood Cemetery in San Diego. 2 Flame Skimmers, 20 Blue Dashers, & 1 Blue-eyed Darner. See ya, Douglas Aguillard San Diego, CA doug AT basiclink.com Black Water Nature Photography http://sdbirds.basiclink.com "Come to the Darkside--we have cookies!" Subject: CA links From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:56:49 -0800 Hi all, I've started a link from my CA site to all the websites I know that show pictures of CA Dragonflies: http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly/CA_Dragonfly_Links.html It's just a beginning and comments and additions are invited! Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Imperial County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:06:38 -0700 April 19, 2008 Imperial County Peter Siminski CDFG Imperial Wildlife Area, Wister Area, HQ and Ruddy Road ponds and ditches; 9:30-12:40, sunny, 75-85 degrees, light wind S. Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta 4 Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula >40 including ~10 tandem pairs oviposting. Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile ~15 including an oviposting tandem pair. Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi >45 including 5 wheels and ~10 ovipositing females. Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 2 Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 2 Darner sp. 1 Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 4, all young males. Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 1 Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 3 East Highline Canal at Sinclair Road: 13:30-14:45, sunny, 85 degrees, windy 10-15 mph SW. American Rudyspot, Hetaerina americana ~22 Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta >60 including ~5 ovipositng tandem paris. Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula >100 including many ovipsoting tandem pairs. Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile >100 including many opivositing tandem pairs. Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 2M Subject: Upper Bidwell Park - Butte County From: Ray Bruun <bruun AT frontiernet.net> Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:42:44 -0700 Subject: 35 species + programs From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 11:09:12 -0800 Pete's Giant Darner and the Oriti's 4-spotted Skimmers bring us to 35 species reported. Is no one but Ray Bruun seeing Beaverpond Baskettails, or are folks only wanting to report first sightings of the year? I think it is still valid to report first sightings from your particular area, not just for the whole state. Several dfly events this month: =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= *April 21, 2008 (Monday) Altacal Audubon Society meeting* Chico, CA See AAS web site for details /Dragonflies and Damselflies of Butte County / Talk by Tim Manolis =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= * April 26, 2008 (Saturday) Madrona Marsh Nature Center * Torrance, CA / Dragonflies of Southern California/ PowerPoint program by Kathy Biggs =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= *April 27, 2008 (Sunday) El Dorado Hills Nature Center * Long Beach, CA / El Dorado's Dazzling Dragonflies/ PowerPoint program by Kathy Biggs =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= *April 29, 2008 (Tuesday) Palm Springs Library/Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park * Palm Springs, CA /The Dragonflies of Southern California / PowerPoint program by Kathy Biggs =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Mission Trails Regional Park; San Diego From: "petespino8" <petespino8 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 05:15:31 -0000 Hi all... Today I took a walk around Mission Trails RP for an hour. The weather was very warm and sunny with light winds from the west. Visited the grasslands and Mission Dam area only. Did not visit lake. Flame Skimmer (2) Red Rock Skimmer (2-3) Variegated Meadowhawk Giant Darner! Familiar Bluet (4) Blue-ringed Dancer (2) Vivid Dancer (3-4) Spot-winged Glider Pete Spino San Diego, CA petespino8 AT yahoo.com Subject: San Diego County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 20:41:25 -0700 April 13, 2008 San Diego County Peter Siminski Santa Margarita River below Sandia Creek Road, north of Fallbrook; 9:30 - 13:30, sunny, 75-90 degrees, calm. American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana >25 Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 11 including three tandem pairs. Familiar bluet, Enallagma civile 2 Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum 2 in hand. Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma praevarum 6 in hand. Enallagma praevarum or carunculatum >35 including many tandem pairs and tandem oviposting; seemed like mostly E. praevarum. Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula ~15 Black-fronted Forktail, Ischnura denticollis 9 including two wheels. Common Green Darner, Anax junius 5 including one tandem pair. Rhionaeschna sp 1 Variegate Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 2 Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum 10 Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata >15 including oviposting female. Red Rock Skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes 3 including a brief wheel. Subject: Glider From: "aguillard2469" <doug AT basiclink.com> Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:36:10 -0000 Spot-winged Glider glided through my backyard this afternoon in National City. Douglas Aguillard San Diego, CA doug AT basiclink.com Subject: San Diego From: "aguillard2469" <doug AT basiclink.com> Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:14:59 -0000 Nothing exciting, 2 Variegated Meadowhawks and one Blue-eyed Darner on Pt. Loma yesterday, and 5 Vivid Dancers in Florida Canyon also yesterday. Doug Aguillard San Diego, CA doug AT basiclink.com Subject: early dates From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:42:24 -0800 Hi all, None of the experts can say that Peter's images are for certain Double-striped Bluets, but they can't be ruled out either. It's been pointed out that the tall grassy habitat is correct and the species has been seen as early as March 3rd in TX. Plus it isn't a county record, just early date. So, it is accepted. Also, Adam Lewis in Santa Barbara Co.just sent me pictures of a Red Saddlebags!! That is pretty early for so far north. Head's up! Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Enallagma basidens From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:19:59 -0800 Hi all, Peter Siminski's double-striped bluets are another much earlier than ever before seen date. His pictures are from far away and very poor (I know we don't all have the skills or equipment to do macro photography, so thanks for doing the best you could Peter!) I've played with the images as best I could and have them in the early dates folder. I can't quite see enuf to make a judgment, but I'm also not all that familiar with the species. If some of you who are could look at these and see if you can make an ID, I'd appreciate it! http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/view/3623?b=9 http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/view/3623?b=10 Thanks!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Southwestern Ode maps From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:34:22 -0800 Hi all, Sorry about all the posts - but I'll be gone for a week so it won't keep up! Anyway, Dennis Paulson is no longer updating the western distribution maps that I link to (mainly from my SW site). So, I'm slowly changing the map links to go to the distribution maps at Odonata Central (OC). These maps are updated every time a new record is vetted. But, they take a bit of time to open and you need to click on the "+" symbol two times to get it to where it shows the individual records and county outlines. But, when it does, there is a sidebar that shows all the records for that area, besides your having the ability to click your mouse on any record dot on the map and have its information displayed. Once a map is opened, you can use the 'mini-map' in the bottom right corner to change the area that is displayed. I recommend 'practicing' a time or two so you won't be too frustrated when you're in a hurry to check a record and don't know how to use this feature. I've only added these new map links to a few of the pond damsels, the spreadwings and the broad-winged damsels so far (the ones at the BOTTOM of the website!). But here's a link you can 'practice' on: * Northern [aka Common] Spreadwing /Lestes disjunctus disjunctus/*. Southwestern distribution map (enlarge (+2) & then click on map to view area you are interested in) Directions: Click on the + sign 2 times (at the top of the 'ladder' towards the upper left). Use the small map in lower right to navigate (or the arrows). Hope this works well for everyone! BTW: The key is all wrong for CA: It shows no records as coming from the dot map project, but in reality all records attributed to Kathy Biggs with an 'unknown date' are records sent to the dot map project by me from our CA Excel spreadsheet, maintained by Dennis Paulson, Tim Manolis and me at that time. Cheers!! Kathy Ps. I'm giving a powerpoint program on dragonflies to the San Joaquin Valley Audubon society in Stockton tomorrow nite. If you live in that area, I'd love to meet you! -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: New early dates From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:15:43 -0800 Hi all, Just checked Peter Siminski's images of Bleached Skimmers from Dos Palmas on 4-6-08 against the SoWest chart. That is even way earlier than the 5/3/07 report from New Mexico last season by Robert Larsen. It will be interesting to see if they show up early in other areas too. The early date I have for AZ is 5/5/91 by Rosser Garrison and for UT it's 6/18/ by Eric Pilgrim from the USU insect collection. I don't have dates for any in NV or CO - do any of you? Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Riverside County Odes From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:05:55 -0800 Peter's Bleached Skimmer is WAY early. Old early date was 5/27/2005! He's put images up as 'vouchers' in the CalOdes photo files, under the folder title 'Early Odes'. I think it would be great to have images of as many early dflies as possible, but mainly when the date is more than a week early. Using this folder would keep them all posted in one place, and you could always add the photo to your own folder too. This brings us to 29 species reported. Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Peter Siminski wrote: > *April 6, 2008* > *_Riverside County_* > *Peter Siminski* > Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis; 8:50-15:00, sunny, 70-85 > degrees, Light wind ~5 mph NW. > *Paiute Dancer, /Argia alberta/* >30 including 3 tandem pairs (a few > ID'd in hand). > *Blue-ringed Dancer, /Argia sedula/* >20 including 2 tandem pairs > ovipositing (a few ID'd in hand). > *Familiar Bluet, /Enallagma civile/* >25 including ~6 tandem pairs. > *Desert, Forktail, /Ischnura barberi/* 5 including 1 wheel. > *Citrine Forktail, /Ischnura hastata/* 1 > *Rambur's Forktail, /Ischnura ramburii/* >35 including 4 wheels. > *Common Green Darner, /Anax junius/* 5 > *Blue-eyed Darner, /Rhionaeschna multicolor/* 1 > *Variegated Meadowhawk, /Sympetrum corruptum/* 2 > *Western Pondhawk, /Erythemis collocata/* >75 including one brief > wheel and 5 ovipostiing females. > *Blue Dasher, /Pachydiplax longipennis/* >100 including 2 wheels. > *Bleached Skimmer, /Libellula composita/* 5M (photo posted) > *Flame Skimmer, /Libellula saturata/* >45 including 2 wheels and 3 > oviposting females. > *Black Saddlebags, /Tramea lacerata/* 6 > *Red Saddlebags, /Tramea onusta/* 1 > *Spot-winged Glider, /Pantala hymenaea/* 2 > Subject: Riverside County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2008 20:29:35 -0700 April 6, 2008 Riverside County Peter Siminski Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis; 8:50-15:00, sunny, 70-85 degrees, Light wind ~5 mph NW. Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta >30 including 3 tandem pairs (a few ID'd in hand). Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula >20 including 2 tandem pairs ovipositing (a few ID'd in hand). Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile >25 including ~6 tandem pairs. Desert, Forktail, Ischnura barberi 5 including 1 wheel. Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 1 Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii >35 including 4 wheels. Common Green Darner, Anax junius 5 Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 1 Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 2 Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata >75 including one brief wheel and 5 ovipostiing females. Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis >100 including 2 wheels. Bleached Skimmer, Libellula composita 5M (photo posted) Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata >45 including 2 wheels and 3 oviposting females. Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 6 Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 1 Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 2 Subject: A Passing...Herb Clarke From: "aguillard2469" <doug AT basiclink.com> Date: Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:38:45 -0000 With great sadness, we have lost another member of CalOdes. Herb Clarke passed away yesterday afternoon after battling a long illness. Herb was a very well known bird and butterfly photographer here in California, and had produced several books. He had just started to get into dragonflies back in 2006. He is survived by his lifetime long wife Olga. Douglas Aguillard San Diego, CA doug AT basiclink.com Subject: Imperial County From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2008 17:29:17 -0700 April 5, 2008 Imperial County Peter Siminski Palo Verde Oxbow, ~20 miles S of Blythe along Colorado River; 9:50-11:50, sunny, 70-80 degrees, light wind ~5mph W. Double-striped Bluet, Enallagma basidens 6 ( 2 in hand, several poor photos) Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile ~40 including tandem pairs Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 1 Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 8 Common Green Darner, Anax junius 2 Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 2 Note: I returned to this spot where I saw a very early E. basidens last weekend to try for photo verification of the early date. I saw 6, 2 in hand. My camera was not up to the job, i.e. autofocus. So I got a clear picture of my thumb and a blurry bluet when I had one in hand, a distant photo of not enough pixels to see much, and a blurry photo when I tried to get close but my camera focused on the background and not the bluet. Someone else will need to photo for the early date photo verification. The 2-stripes were in the patches of salt grass and Bermuda grass to the SE of the Tamarix grove immediately off of Rte. 78. Good luck. I will post 2 blurry photos for those interested. I could not get the detail from the photos. Note: A fair sized north and west directed flight of Painted Ladies; ~12 per minute were passing my spot. Subject: Sonoma Co. From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:45:53 -0800 Today we did a wildflower walk with CNPS. Talked the leader into stopping at a pond on the way back. :-P Pepperwood Preserve, hills east of Windsor (not open to individuals) Upper pond of the Double Ponds, 62 & sunny, 2 pm Bluet sp. - 2 males of no/bo/familiar type - seen just for a second or two *Western Forktail Ischnura perparva - 6-10 mature females, some ovipositing, all with the drooping abdomens saying 'honey I have a headache'! This species is said to only mate once, and I think they were already all fertile! Cardinal Meadowhawks - 2 mature males, 'dog-fighting' Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: New CA+SW dfly records submitted 1st quarter 2008 From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:09:04 -0800 *Scientific Name:* /Stylurus olivaceus/ *Common Name:* Olive Clubtail *Collected On:* 2007-Sep-01 *Collected By:* Paul Johnson, II | Send Email *Location:* Merced County, California, United States at 37.30827° N 120.92706° W ** *Submitted On:* 2008-Jan-7 *Submitted By:* Paul Johnson, II *OC#:* 264023 PHOTO record, CA Chart #76 *Scientific Name:* /Erpetogomphus lampropeltis natrix/ *Common Name:* Serpent Ringtail {natrix} *Collected On:* 2007-Aug-31 *Collected By:* Martin Reid | Send Email *Location:* Gila County, Arizona, United States at 33.79798° N 110.50298° E *Favorite:* *Submitted On:* 2008-Feb-3 *Submitted By:* Martin Reid *OC#:* 281552 *Scientific Name:* /Libellula forensis/ *Common Name:* Eight-spotted Skimmer *Collected On:* 2007-May-26 *Collected By:* Nathan Kohler | Send Email *Location:* Cache County, Utah, United States at 41.76743° N 111.78189° W *Location Notes:* Lower end ( entrance ) of Green Canyon near parking area/restrooms *Submitted On:* 2008-Apr-4 *Submitted By:* Nathan Kohler *OC#:* 281918 *Scientific Name:* /Libellula quadrimaculata/ *Common Name:* Four-spotted Skimmer *Collected On:* 2007-May-25 *Collected By:* Nathan Kohler | Send Email *Location:* Cache County, Utah, United States at 41.76743° N 111.78189° W *Favorite:* *Submitted On:* 2008-Apr-4 *Submitted By:* Nathan Kohler *OC#:* 281919 Cheers!! Kathy Biggs --- Californ1ia Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Cardinals emerging From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:01:11 -0800 Hi all, I spent the last 2 hours at our friend's, the Conley's, pond, where so many Cardinal Meadowhawks are emerging. What a fantastic experience. We got there about 11:15. The pond was totally in the shade, and about 8 teneral Cardinal Meadowhawks had overnighted there. 7 had their wings open, but one's wings were still in the closed position. By 11:30, when the pond had almost gotten the sun on it, we started seeing nymph swim up to the surface. Soon the sun was on the pond and the 'overnighters' began flying off; the one with the closed wings opened them. Dave watched one nymph swim up from about 3" underwater, using it's legs to swim (I assume they can't 'jet-propel' at this point). There is a lot of duckweed and fairy fern (azolla) on their pond. The nymph would come to the surface, and crawl up onto the floating duckweed or azolla with a bubble of water about it. This would dissipate and then they'd start crawling about, seemingly looking for something with height nearby. They'd then crawl to the higher vegetation, which in most cases was parrot's feather on their pond. The parrot's feather was only rising ~3" or less above the water surface. After they'd crawled up onto the parrot's feather, they'd wave either their front, or back legs several times. Sometimes they'd stay, but often they'd plop back down in the water and head towards another plant. This would go on for quite a while, easily 20 mins. At first I thought the leg waving was to test the strength of the plant they were on. Later I thought it might be 'loosening' the legs from inside the exoskeleton. But then later we thought it was their testing to see, esp. with the hind legs, that they were far enough out of the water that their wings wouldn't touch when they emerged. I assume reaching with the front legs would test that nothing was blocking them in front. I followed one who eventually gave up on the plants and decided to emerge on one of the rocks lining the pond circumference. I was able to actually see it work to get it's legs in the 'final' position and then start to dry out. Soon a tiny crack appeared crosswise just behind the eyes. Then from the center of this crack the exoskeleton began to split lengthwise. It took awhile and then the eyes started rising out from the eye area, and then the rest of the emergence went as I had seen before. It took him about 15 mins to pull his head, thorax and legs from the exuvia. He then spent at least 15 mins. hanging before he lurched forward, pulled the rest of his abdomen out and began to pump his wings up. All the nymphs observed emerging the last 3 days at their pond were males.. The day was fairly cool, only ~60 and a slight overcast began. It took about 2 hrs before he flew off. We were able to watch about 20 nymph become dragonflies, while another 5 nymph were still climbing about when we left. At least twice we saw nymph crawl almost over where another nymph that was already emerging was hanging limply. Once the emerger was just trying to lurch forward and almost got knocked back into the water. That might explain the 4 'floaters' we found - emergers that had fallen back into the water the day before. It was a wonderful thing to behold all this activity. Their pond is literally FULL of underwater plants, and this many Cardinals were emerging even though they have mosquito fish in the pond. Our own pond has few plants, and no Cardinals emerging, although two mostly mature males are claiming territory on it already. Thanks Gloria and Harry!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Dusky Dancers, Arizona From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:27:30 -0800 http://southwestdragonflies.net/damsels/DuskyDancers_AZ_PD.html Hi all, Pierre Deviche sent me several Dusky Dancer images, which I've posted on the SW website at the link above. If you check the western map link below, you'll see that they occur in counties bordering California. http://www2.ups.edu/biology/museum/20argton.gif Their early flight date isn't until May1st, but I just thought I'd give a 'head's up' now, while I was working on this species. Thanks Pierre!! Kathy Subject: Los Angeles Co. From: "Bruce Deuel" <bkrdeuel AT snowcrest.net> Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:43:28 -0700 Hi all, Thought I'd let folks know I'm still alive and still do look at odes now and then. I was at Harbor Lakes Park in Long Beach on Saturday, 22 March. I saw 1 male and 1 female Pacific Forktail and 1 smaller damsel that wouldn't sit still for an i.d. Cheers, Bruce Deuel Red Bluff Subject: Riverside & Imperial County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:57:38 -0700 March 30, 2008 Riverside County Peter Siminski Mayflower County Park, ~8 miles N of Blythe along Colorado River; 13:15-14:50, sunny, 80 degrees, very windy 20-25mph SW. Familar Bluet, Enallagma civile >30 including several tandem ovipositing pairs. Common Green Darner, Anax junius 2 Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 4 including one ovipositing tandem pair. Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 3 Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 5, all feeding together low over grassy picnic area beating into the wind. March 30, 2008 Imperial County Peter Siminski Palo Verde Oxbow, ~20 miles S of Blythe along Colorado River; 9:40-12:25, sunny, 70-80 degrees, very windy 10-20mph W. Double-striped Bluet, Enallagma basidens 1F (in hand) Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile >20 Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii ~15 Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1 Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 1 March 29, 2008 Riverside County Peter Siminski Coachella Valley Preserve, Thousand Palms Oasis; 13:00-15:00, sunny, 80-85 degrees, very windy 10-20mph N. Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 7 Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida >35 including at least 9 tandem pairs, some ovipositing. Common Green Darner, Anax junius 7 Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 1 Variegate Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1 Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 2 Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 1 Subject: Sonoma Co From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:40:44 -0800 Dave and I went for a wildflower drive up Pine Flat Rd out of Healdsburg today. Of course we kept our eyes open for dflies, but it was in the low 50s and windy. We didn't find any on the stops on our way up the rd., but when we ran into Phyllis Schmidt of Madrone Audubon, she mentioned seeing a lone damsel at the seep above the Ribizzo Ranch. So we stopped again on our way down. We saw one 'milky-colored' male Vivid Dancer, and what was also surely another Vivid Dancer on it's maiden flight. Nothing at any of the ponds, other seeps or along the creek yet.... Wildflowers were nice: walls of lupines, many Scarlet Gillia, some Hound's Tongue, Buttercups and Indian Warrior, Corn Lilies, Vetch, Blue-eyed Grass, Blue Dick and more. Only a few Chinese Houses though.... Cheers!! Kathy Ps. Had our first Forktail emerge from our Sebastopol Pond this morning. -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: dragonfly talks and walks thru mid-May From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 10:41:09 -0800 *Schedule of CALIF. DRAGONFLY and Wildlife Pond EVENTS* * by Kathy &/or Dave Biggs; Tim Manolis (and others) *including* Dragonfly festivals from all around!* ------------------------------------------------------------------------ * April 2, 2008 (Wednesday), 7 p.m. / Dragonfly Talk /* Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area HQ Davis, CA Tim Manolis =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= * April 8, 2008 (Tuesday), 7:30 San Joaquin Audubon Society meeting* Stockton, CA / Dragonflies of the Central Valley/ PowerPoint program by Kathy Biggs Contact Kasey Foley =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= *April 21, 2008 (Monday) Altacal Audubon Society meeting* Chico, CA See AAS web site for details /Dragonflies and Damselflies of Butte County / Talk by Tim Manolis =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= * April 26, 2008 (Saturday) Madrona Marsh Nature Center * Torrance, CA / Dragonflies of Southern California/ PowerPoint program by Kathy Biggs =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= *April 27, 2008 (Sunday) El Dorado Hills Nature Center * / El Dorado's Dazzling Dragonflies/ PowerPoint program by Kathy Biggs =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= *April 29, 2008 (Tuesday) Palm Springs Library/Desert Institute at Joshua Tree National Park * Palm Springs, CA /The Dragonflies of Southern California / PowerPoint program by Kathy Biggs =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= *May 15-18, 2008 The 9th Annual Dragonfly Days* http://www.valleynaturecenter.org/dragonflydays/2008/dragonfly2008.html Hosted by Estero Llano Grande State Park and the Valley Nature Center, in *Weslaco, Texas* May 15-18 -- Keynote speaker - Tim Manolis The event features speakers, seminars, and a full line-up of field trips led by local naturalists who will get you close to the odonates of South Texas The Neotropical Odonata! Headquartered in Weslaco, right in the middle of the Rio Grande Valley in deep South Texas. Please visit www.valleynaturecenter.org or www.worldbirdingcenter.org for more information about the host parks. For questions about Weslaco, please contact: Yvonne Chamblin, Marketing Director, Weslaco Chamber of Commerce, (956) 968-2102 or www.weslaco.com =!= =!= =!= =!= =!= See all programs at http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/Pond/dragons/programs2008.html Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: American River Parkway, Sacramento Co., 27 March 2008 From: ylightfoot AT aol.com Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 01:34:21 EDT Hi folks: Hiked around the backwater lagoons and riparian woods along the American River Parkway behind Rio Americano High School this past Thursday, 27 March. The river is low, because whatever runoff there is from the Sierran snowpack is being held back at Folsom Dam upstream. A surprisingly large number of a modest variety of odonates (almost all zygopterans) were found, most tenerals, indicating that emergence is just getting started around here. I saw: Pacific Forktail -- 20+, about half of these mature, the rest tenerals Bluets -- 100 easily, most tenerals, thus hard to ID. at least 3 Familiar Bluet males seen and at least one Tule Bluet male seen; rest too hard to ID because of teneral condition. This spot had lots of Arroyo Bluets last spring, and there could have been some there today, but most bluets were just too teneral to attempt capture. So only 2 species of Enallagma seen for sure. Exclamation Damsel -- 1-2 mature males seen, one teneral male seen; possibly more, lots of the teneral female damselflies seen were too patternless to even ID to genus! Pacific Clubtail -- one teneral male seen on its maiden flight. Common Whitetail -- one teneral female seen. 6 species at the end of March isn't too bad a day around here. Only one other dragonfly was seen, a distant, apparently mature individual in flight, briefly seen at a distance, possibly a Variegated Meadowhawk. But there sure were a lot of teneral damsels! Cheers, Tim **************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home. (http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15&ncid=aolhom00030000000001) Subject: East Bay + emergers From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:10:38 -0800 The Orinda School District is holding its 6th annual Wildlife Festival on Sunday, April 22nd, 1-4. There is a nice wildlife pond on the grounds at the Wagner Ranch Nature Area. The pond has a wooden bridge across it that serves as a wonderful dragonfly viewing area. This is located adjacent to the Wagner Ranch Elementary School on Camino Pablo Road in Orinda. They are looking for some one(s) to be at the pond and show folks the dragonflies, both those on the wing and the nymph. They will provide binoculars, dip nets, etc. You just serve as 'host' and explain what's going on/being seen. Anyone interested? If so, please contact naturalist Toris A Jaeger . She will explain more to you. Thanks!! Kathy Biggs Ps. Yesterday my friend had ~6 more Cardinal Meadowhawks begin their emergence on her Sebastopol pond, but the day became cold and overcast and then it started raining. She called me and said that 4-5 of the emergers were still on the pond plants and that their wings hadn't even spread open yet. We couldn't stand to watch as they sank lower and lower down, with their abdomens slipping into the water.....so I grabbed my waders, put them on, waded in and we pulled them out. She over-nighted them in her laundry room. At last report, all had spread their wings and were awaiting sunshine so they could be released. She made up a website about them: http://www.newperspectives.net/revglo/dragon.rescue.htm -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Unknown Damselflies From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:57:23 -0800 Hi Stacey, Glad you're noticing these guys! Learning the dragonflies is tricky, but fun and this group is always glad to help! Your photos both show a damselfly with the wings held closed ABOVE not alongside the abdomen. That indicates a dancer, rather than a bluet. Then, the 'urn-shaped' dark stripe atop the thorax indicates they might be Vivid Dancers. The 'tail-end' of the first photo is expanded, therefore that one is a female, while the 2nd one appears to be a male. I can't see the sides of the abdomen well enough to see the 'triangular' black marks that would 'cinch' the ID, but you can compare what you saw to photos on my website at this link: http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/Pond/Lists/pond_damsels.html#ARVI You might find the Photo Key link from my California Dragonflies Website helpful, but I'm always glad to help. http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly/ - Photo identifier/field key Cheers!! Kathy Biggs -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- BJ Stacey wrote: >Hi All, > >I'm a new chaser of Odes and not very good at ID of any species. I >took photos of these two damselflies late this afternoon on Torrey >Pines Mesa in La Jolla, CA and would like some help with IDs. There >have been a few around for the past few days and I finally remembered >to bring my camera today. > >I've added them to a new folder - My 1st Damselflies. You can see >photos here: > >http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/browse/b793?c= > >I think one is a Familiar Bluet and I have no idea as to the other >photo. > >Thanks in advance, > >BJ Stacey >Santee, CA > > >------------------------------------ > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > Subject: Unknown Damselflies From: "BJ Stacey" <bjinsd AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:28:08 -0000 Hi All, I'm a new chaser of Odes and not very good at ID of any species. I took photos of these two damselflies late this afternoon on Torrey Pines Mesa in La Jolla, CA and would like some help with IDs. There have been a few around for the past few days and I finally remembered to bring my camera today. I've added them to a new folder - My 1st Damselflies. You can see photos here: http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/browse/b793?c= I think one is a Familiar Bluet and I have no idea as to the other photo. Thanks in advance, BJ Stacey Santee, CA Subject: Sonoma Co., #20 From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:16:43 -0800 Hello all, I just had a call from our nearby friends, Gloria and Harry Conley, here in Sebastopol. They have at least 9 Cardinal Meadowhawks emerging from their backyard pond today (and it might rain tonite!). They saw a couple of damselflies too. Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: CA Dragonfly Field Key From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:08:41 -0800 Hi all, Wonderful that Ray saw a Beaverpond Baskettail. That's species #19 for this year, but still far below the 37 species possible by the end of the month, which is fast approaching. Dave and I looked for Exclamation Damsels again yesterday, but they are still not out (at least at the Horticultural Gardens). We did have a CA Darner circle the pond twice here at home, so I'm happy as it's the first ode to come near the pond this year (excluding nymph that is!). I have 'revived' the PDF version of the CA Dragonfly Field Key that is linked to on the opening page of my California Dragonfly Website. If you use it and note changes that need to be made, please let me know. Thanks!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Beaverpond Baskettail From: "Ray Bruun" <bruun AT frontiernet.net> Date: Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:49:30 -0000 I had a Beaverpond Baskettail patrolling near the Sacramento River in Redding, yesterday (East Turtle Bay). Ray Bruun Shingletown/Redding, Shasta County bruun AT frontiernet.net Subject: Coyote Canyon Borrego Springs From: Bob Miller <bob.miller AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:01:14 -0700 (GMT-07:00) A drive up Coyote Canyon gave me a chance to sort out the damsels seen last week in the stream. About a dozen Vivid Dancers, some in wheel, and one lone male Rambur's Forktail. (!__!) (0V0) HAPPY BIRDING {}~~{} BOB MILLER =='''='''== Southwest Birders 108 W I ST Brawley, CA. 92227 Imperial County 760-455-1413 http://www.southwestbirders.com bob.miller AT mindspring.com Subject: Sonoma Co. From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:11:24 -0800 Hi all, I dreamed of Exclamation Damsels last nite :-) . So when I got up, I checked the Excel Chart for early date - which is tomorrow. I thought that maybe this was a 'sign' that I should go look for them. So, while we were up and about, Dave and I checked out the local Azalea Gardens (Sonoma Horticultural Gardens) here in Sebastopol where they are so common later in the spring. 2 male Pacific Forktails got our hopes up, but no Exclamations were seen. BTW: This is only the 2nd time we've seen Pacific Forktails, or ANY other damselfly there, although the Exclamation Damsels can # in the hundreds on any given day... 2:00 -2:30, 59-62 degrees, sun, light breeze. Darn!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Tony Harrow From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:22:13 -0800 The San Francisco Chronicle ran a front page article with photos on the tragic sailboat accident that took Tony's life, and on page A12 an article about him and the ship's captain. http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx - just click on the calendar on the toolbar to go to Tuesday. We were on the Mendocino Coast that day and the wind was just about the nastiest we've ever experienced. We didn't even want to be outside in it. Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Imperial County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:29:39 -0700 March 15, 2008 Imperial County Peter Siminski CDFG Imperial Wildlife Area, Ramer Lake and Finney Lake, 9:00-12:00, sunny, 60-70 degrees, windy 10-15 mph. Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 4 Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 5 Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 1 Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1 Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 6 Subject: Annual State of the Union message From: "aguillard2469" <doug AT basiclink.com> Date: Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:09:55 -0000 Hello my fellow Oders, Here is my annual message to all members, and I hope this finds you all in good spirits and ready for another fantastic California Odes season. I again want to encourage all of you to go and seek new members for this group. You all know other people (especially you birder converts) who enjoy looking at, or photographing Odes. Go to them, tell them about us, and have them join. The larger the group, the more information that can be gleened and shared. I also want to encourage you all to report your sightings, no matter how common the Ode may be. With over 140 members, it's seem to be the same 20 people who are reporting their sightings to the group. The information you shared, will help all of us in understanding the status and distribution of all California Odes. Lastly, I really want to encourage all members (including Tim M) to come to the 4th Annual Calodes Blitz. This weekend activity has been alot of fun over the last 3 years, and I can't think of a single person who has been dissapointed in attending the Blitz. This year will be held in Trinty County, and lots of Odes, Birds and other wildlife should be found. Thank you for everyone of you who have joined this group, and my only hope is that we continue to grow and share. Douglas Aguillard CalOdes Listowner San Diego, CA doug AT basiclink.com Subject: Sad News From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:26:34 -0800 Tragically, a CalOdes member died in a sailboat race off of SF over the weekend. Tony Harrow, of Marin County, joined CalOdes May 23, 2003. He sent in many reports from Lake Alpine and Lagunitas there in Marin County. The article in the Examiner about his death is online at http://www.examiner.com/printa-1283048~Coast_Guard_suspends_search_for_sailor.html Kathy Biggs -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Odonata envelopes and books available From: "Intl Odonata Research Inst" <iodonata AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:49:52 -0400 Hi group: Hi have envelopes and books for sale at www.iodonata.net profits go to help with maintenance of the collection, library and web site here at IORI. I am the volunteer managing director. Thanks. Bill Mauffray International Odonata Research Institute PO Box 147100 Gainesville FL 32614-7100 352-219-3141 cell iodonata AT bellsouth.net http://www.iodonata.net _______________________________________________ Odonata-l mailing list Odonata-l AT listhost.ups.edu https://mailweb.ups.edu/mailman/listinfo/odonata-l Subject: Sonoma Co. From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:24:18 -0800 It was 3 pm only 63 and the wind was whipping up whitecaps on tiny Lake Ralphine in Santa Rosa, BUT we saw our first forktails there (mostly down at the marshy end): Pacific Forktail - ~8; a few mature males, some immature males and immature females. No mating behavior. Kathy & Dave Biggs Ps. Lots of Common Mergansers and Lesser Scaup there too! -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: NEOS Adventurer Overshoes From: "aguillard2469" <doug AT basiclink.com> Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 23:18:05 -0000 Hello all, Due to the nature of our work, hobby, passion, I think we all find ourselves at times having to get wet in order to study the Odes. I have been in a constant search for a good pair of "water" shoes that I could wear and do my photographing of Odes. I have been using the Body Glove brand of water shoes because they do not allow for any sand or mud to get into the shoes, but they do not offer any real protection. I have several pairs of shoes from athletic companies that were call aqua or water shoes, but all had meshing that was too large and while great for rocky bottoms, they allowed too much sand and mud into the shoes. I think I have found the solution, it's the NEOS Adventurer Overshoes. This is a "water proof over your shoes/boots" shoe. This particular model goes up to your calf, and offers protection from scraps from underwater rocks and branches. They also keep your feet fairly warm. When you step out of the water, your feet will be dry, as you pull your feet out of the "over shoes", or you can actually hike around in them. I got mine from a Nature Photography website as they had the cheapest prices and had the over shoes in stock. If you do a search on the internet, you will find them at several places, but usually at a higher cost. If you go to the NEOS website, you will see they offer several different models, with various heights of protection for your legs. I've included the info from Naturescapes below, and thought many of you would appreciate this information. I have no financial interest in either Naturescapes or Neos. www.naturescapes.net Douglas Aguillard San Diego, CA doug AT basiclink.com NEOS ADVENTURER OVERSHOE NatureScapes.Net selected the NEOS Adventurer model for its versatility in the type of conditions in which many nature photographers work. Completely waterproof, it slips right over existing footwear and at fifteen inches high, it protects both shoes and pant legs when working in shallow water, wet grass, or muddy conditions. This is a non-insulated model, comfort rated to add 20°F to everyday footwear, and the heel is snowshoe compatible. The Adventurer is easily cleaned with soapy water and a sponge or soft brush and then allowed to dry. At just over two pounds, the pair is lightweight and compacts nicely for travel. NEOS come in six adult sizes with each fitting a range of 1.5 shoe sizes. Please refer to the sizing chart to determine the best fit for you. If you are very near the top of a size range or if you intend to wear your NEOS over hiking boots, it's best to consider sizing up to the next range. SIZE CHART XS S M L XL XXL Men 3.5 - 5 5.5 - 7 7.5 - 9 9.5 - 11 11.5 - 13 13.5 - 15 Women 5 - 6.5 7 - 8.5 9 - 10.5 11 - 12.5 13 - 14.5 15 - 16.5 Euro 35 - 37 38 - 40 41 - 42 43 - 45 46 - 48 49 - 50 Insole 10 1/4" x 4 11" x 4 1/4 11.75" x 4 3/8 12 3/8" x 4 1/2 12 3/4" x 4 3/4 13 1/2" x 4 7/8 NOTE: If you are very near the top of a size range or intend to wear your NEOS over hiking boots we suggest sizing up to the next range. Details Price: $59.95 Subject: Re: Anza Borrego San Diego County From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:21:26 -0800 Hi Bob and all, That's a new early date for the Rubyspot, old date was 3/14/2007. And, we're up to 18 species reported to be flying, and 18 folks coming to the Blitz! :-) Cheers!! Kathy -- California Dragonflies http://www.sonic.net/dragonfly Southwest Dragonflies http://southwestdragonflies.net/ Bigsnest Wildlife Pond http://www.bigsnestpond.net/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Kathy and Dave Biggs bigsnest AT sonic.net 707-823-2911 308 Bloomfield Rd. Sebastopol, CA 95472 ----------------------------------------------------------------- dba Azalea Creek Publishing azalea AT sonic.net fax: 707-823-2911 http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/azaleacreekpublishing/ ----------------------------------------------------------------- Bob Miller wrote: >Hi all, > >While exploring Coyote Canyon in Anza Borrego Desert State Park on Saturday 3-8 we had a lone American Rubyspot at one of the stream crossings. There were also several dancers that I did not get to ID fully. The males were intensly blue with the tops of the abdomens being almost entirely black. I am thinking either Paiute or Blue-ringed Dancers but.......... > > (!__!) > (0V0) HAPPY BIRDING > {}~~{} BOB MILLER > =='''='''== > >Southwest Birders >108 W I ST >Brawley, CA. 92227 >Imperial County >760-455-1413 >http://www.southwestbirders.com >bob.miller AT mindspring.com > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > Subject: Anza Borrego San Diego County From: Bob Miller <bob.miller AT mindspring.com> Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:01:08 -0400 (EDT) Hi all, While exploring Coyote Canyon in Anza Borrego Desert State Park on Saturday 3-8 we had a lone American Rubyspot at one of the stream crossings. There were also several dancers that I did not get to ID fully. The males were intensly blue with the tops of the abdomens being almost entirely black. I am thinking either Paiute or Blue-ringed Dancers but.......... (!__!) (0V0) HAPPY BIRDING {}~~{} BOB MILLER =='''='''== Southwest Birders 108 W I ST Brawley, CA. 92227 Imperial County 760-455-1413 http://www.southwestbirders.com bob.miller AT mindspring.com Subject: Riverside County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 18:47:01 -0700 March 9, 2008 Riverside County Peter Siminski Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis; 8:25-13:15, sunny, 70-80 degrees, windy 10-15 mph NW. CA/Aztec Dancer, Agria sp. 1 (couldn't get my net on it) Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 7 (one wheel) (one in-hand) Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula 3 (one in-hand) Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 5 (one wheel) Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 4 Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi 5 Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 1F (in-hand) Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 22 Common Green Darner, Anax junius 3 Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 2 (one had just emerged; was had not yet fully unfolded) Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 1M Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 2 Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 2 Subject: FOY (for me) Cal Darner From: Steve Rovell <tapaculo AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 15:24:05 -0700 While playing soccer today, I viewed at close range a California Darner. This was at Marina High School, in Marina, Monterey County. Not much else to say about it. Steve Rovell Marina, CA