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18 Mar San Diego County ["Gary Suttle" ] 17 Mar Sonoma County [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 17 Mar Sonoma County [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 16 Mar San Diego County ["Gary Suttle" ] 15 Mar Re: Riverside County Odes [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 14 Mar Riverside County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 11 Mar Pine Flat Rd. [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 09 Mar Pine Flat Rd. out of Healdsburg [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 07 Mar County Record [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 07 Mar Sonoma County [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 04 Mar Re: Pacific Forktails in Sonoma County [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 4 Mar Pacific Forktails in Sonoma County [] 04 Mar first MTY odes [Don Roberson ] 3 Mar Gary's & Paul's Posts [Karen Havlena ] 03 Mar Re: San Diego County [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 04 Mar San Diego County ["Gary Suttle" ] 03 Mar CalOdes: View Photo: Black Petaltail [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 03 Mar Re: California Darner, SF Co., 03/03/10 [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 3 Mar California Darner, SF Co., 03/03/10 [] 03 Mar Upcoming dragonfly talk [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 24 Feb The Gray Sanddragon link [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 24 Feb Macrodiplax balteata 3.jpg (JPEG Image, 979x583 pixels) - Scaled (96%) [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 24 Feb County Records folder [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 24 Feb New Ode Info [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 21 Feb Riverside County Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] 20 Feb PetaltailF_RO.jpg (JPEG Image, 782x558 pixels) [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 20 Feb Pacific Forktails [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 18 Feb another 'old' county record [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 18 Feb new Modoc, CA record [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 16 Feb RE: Fresno County Record photos ["Luv2bird" ] 15 Feb Re: [SoWestOdes] CalOdes 2010 Dragonfly Blitz [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 15 Feb Re: [SoWestOdes] CalOdes 2010 Dragonfly Blitz [Dennis Paulson ] 15 Feb CalOdes 2010 Dragonfly Blitz [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 12 Feb Fresno County record [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 12 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 11 Feb Kathy's 1st dfly! [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 10 Feb Re: Brimstone Clubtail ["Doug" ] 09 Feb Blue-sheened Emerald Spreadwing [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 09 Feb Brimstone Clubtail [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 9 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 8 Feb New file uploaded to CalOdes [] 04 Feb Re: CA Ode Blitz [Ray Bruun ] 4 Feb Re: CA Ode Blitz [Douglas Vaughan ] 04 Feb CA Ode Blitz [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 27 Jan San Diego County ["Gary Suttle" ] 25 Jan New county record from 2006 [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 19 Jan CA Dfly Blitz & SW maps [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 15 Jan Winter doldrums and way, way off-topic [Don Roberson ] 15 Jan FW: Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) Oviposition Photos ["Jim Johnson" ] 14 Jan Contra Costa Co. ["mathesont" ] 12 Jan Tahoe blitz? [Will Richardson ] 10 Jan blitz [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 10 Jan Re: blitz [Ray Bruun ] 10 Jan Late or Early Blue-eyed Darner? ["Gary Suttle" ] 09 Jan Re: Blue-eyed or I'm blue! [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 09 Jan San Diego County ["Gary Suttle" ] 09 Jan blitz [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 9 Jan IORI - clearance sale on old Odonatologica's [] 06 Jan last anisopteran dates [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 04 Jan last 2009 dates [Kathy &/or Dave Biggs ] 2 Jan Kern Variegated Meadowhawk & Ancient Giant Dragonflies [David Blue ] 02 Jan San Diego County ["Gary Suttle" ] 01 Jan San Diego County ["Gary Suttle" ] 28 Dec Re: San Diego Co and Riverside Co Odes [] 27 Dec Monterey County [Don Roberson ] 27 Dec San Diego Co and Riverside Co Odes ["Peter Siminski" ] Subject: San Diego County From: "Gary Suttle" <odonatophilia AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2010 01:51:20 -0000 March 17, 2010 Poway Community Park, Rattlesnake Creek, 12:15-12:30, clear, calm, 81 degrees. Black-fronted Forktail 20+ tandem, ovipositing Counted along a 50' stretch of the little creek. Gary Suttle Poway, CA Subject: Sonoma County From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:31:10 -0700 Being enthusiastic after seeing that young female Pacific Forktail at our own pond, we decided to use it as an excuse to go walk around Lake Ralphine in Santa Rosa. Gorgeous day, 74F, but although we checked all the nooks and crannies, we only found more Pacific Forktails. Our report: March 17, 2010 Sonoma County Kathy & Dave Biggs Lake Ralphine, 2:30-3:30, 74F, very light breeze Pacific Forktail - we counted 21, mostly males, and about evenly split between at the water and feeding on the banks. 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: Sonoma County From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 17 Mar 2010 13:12:24 -0700 Yay - I just had my first damselfly of the year on the backyard pond here in Sebastopol - a young male-colored female, still orange behind the eyes!! 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: San Diego County From: "Gary Suttle" <odonatophilia AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:58:48 -0000 March 16, 2010 Elfin Forest Preserve, Escondido Creek, 11:45-12:15, sunny, moderate wind, 79 degrees. American Rubyspot 1M Vivid Dancer several Escondido, Oak Hill Memorial Park pond, 1:30-2:00, 82 degrees. Tule Bluet 7 tandem, ovipositing Arroyo Bluet 2 tandem, in hand Gary Suttle Poway, CA Subject: Re: Riverside County Odes From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:14:54 -0700 As of Peter's report, there have been 15 species reported as flying. It would be nice if everyone could report their first of year (FOY) for their county, so that in the future should anyone want to tract that data, it would be available. Wondering if anyone would like to take on tracking FOY for northern Calif.? 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: > > > *March 14, 2010* > > *_Riverside_**_ County_**__* > > *Peter Siminski* > > Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100'; > 9:30-14:20, 65-75F, cloudless, gentle to moderate breeze N then SW. > > *Paiute Dancer, /Argia alberta/* 8. > > *Blue-ringed Dancer, /A. sedula/* 2 > > *Vivid Dancer, /A. vivida/* 7 > > *Familiar Bluet, /Enallagma civile/ *3 including one pair in wheel > > *Citrine Forktail, /Ischnura hastata/* 2 > > *Rambur's Forktail, /I.// ramburii/* 22 > > *Common Green Darner, /Anax junius/* 5 > > *Variegated Meadowhawk, /Sympetrum corruptum /*1 > > *Blue Dasher, /Pachydiplax longipennis/* 3 > > *Flame Skimmer, /Libellula saturata/ *>40 including two pairs in wheel > and three ovipositing females. > > *Spot-winged Glider, /Pantala hymenaea/ *18 > > > > > > Subject: Riverside County Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:06:11 -0700 March 14, 2010 Riverside County Peter Siminski Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100'; 9:30-14:20, 65-75F, cloudless, gentle to moderate breeze N then SW. Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 8. Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula 2 Vivid Dancer, A. vivida 7 Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile 3 including one pair in wheel Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata 2 Rambur's Forktail, I. ramburii 22 Common Green Darner, Anax junius 5 Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1 Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 3 Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata >40 including two pairs in wheel and three ovipositing females. Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea 18 Subject: Pine Flat Rd. From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:24:14 -0800 Hello all, Below is a copy of the letter I have sent to BLM about the destruction of the MM10 ponds and seep. The letter has been sent to Rich Burns in Ukiah Field Office Associate State Director of Natural Resources - Tom Pogacnik_ tom.pogacnik AT blm.gov _James F. Weigand, Ecologist Bureau of Land Management I'd like to urge you too to send a letter. I know the photos won't show in this email as CalOdes doesn't allow image attachments, but the photos are in the photos section. Thanks to all of you who gave me suggestions. You'll see that I incorporated them into my message. Cheers!! Kathy Ps. No Odes at Ragle Park in Sebastopol today - yet!! ----- Dear Mr. Burns and others, I've been told that you are the contact person for seeking protective measures for some very sensitive dragonfly habitat that is being harmed on Pine Flat Rd. out of Healdsburg. I am also sending this letter to a few other BLM personnel. I'm Kathy Biggs and I have led seminars about dragonflies to the ponds just 200 yds off Pine Flat Rd, above Healdsburg and the Mayacamas Audubon Preserve for many years now. This is a very sensitive area where several rare dragonflies breed, including the Black Petaltail (/Tanypteryx hageni/) and the Hoary Skimmer (/Libellula nodistica/). The California endemic damselfly, the Black Spreadwing /(Lestes stultus/) also breeds in the lower ephemeral pond at this site, and counting the main pond, the seep and the lower pond, approximately 40 of Sonoma County's 57 species can be found there.The Black Petaltail and Hoary Skimmer have each been found in only one other place within Sonoma County. This site is so unique that people have come from as far away as England, Texas, San Diego, and of course nearer places as well, to see these dragonflies. But this habitat of seeps, ponds, and ephemeral ponds is extremely sensitive and it has been extensively degraded by off-road vehicles, target practice shooters bringing in large appliances and TVs etc., and by taggers. Whether these destructive measures are being done by one group of people or by several groups I do not know. I do know that the shooting group seems to be there just about every weekend. A picture is worth a thousand words, so I am attaching 3 photos: The above photo shows the destructive ruts from off-road vehicles at the site of the seep where the rare dragonflies breed. The Black Petaltail which breeds in this seep is considered the most primitive dragonfly in the West. It is a throwback to "forms that were the dominant odonates of the Jurassic times and no doubt circled the heads of dinosaur" - Tim Manolis - Dragonflies and Damselflies of California - University of California Press. It occurs only in the Pacific Northwest, including northern California. The females lay their eggs in the mossy substrates of seeps where the nymph excavate small burrows and from the openings of these damp burrows they ambush small prey at night. This is unlike all other dragonflies, which breed in water. The nymph typically spend one year in these burrows and the draining of this habitat by the wheel ruts as seen in the photo above would kill them, as would the pressure from vehicles passing over their burrows. This is one of only 200 sites where this species is known to breed in the whole world, and it is being needlessly ruined. The Hoary Skimmer also breeds in seeps but is much less rare. However it is only found sporadically throughout the Western USA, where it is an endemic species, occurring only at seeps. Scans of these dragonflies can be seen at the following links on my California Odonata website: Black Petaltail - http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/PETALM03.html Hoary Skimmer - http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/hoary-sm.html The Black Spreadwing breeds in ephemeral ponds, such as the lower pond as this site (fed by rainwater and perhaps the seep when it isn't so degraded by ORVs). It is a California endemic. A photo of this species taken by a Texas nature photographer at the site - http://southwestdragonflies.net/damsels/cadamselphotos/LEST-M1.JPG This photo shows the materials left behind by the shooting group: And this 3rd photo shows the lower ephemeral pond where the Spreadwings breed: The pond is no longer being 'fed' by the seep, and ORVs have now criss-crossed it, and I fear it may soon drain prematurely. In the background is a group of target practice shooters. Of course it isn't just dragonflies being affected by these activities. There are also Pacific Tree/Chorus frogs breeding here (Kent Porter of the Press Democrat got a charming image of one the year of the fire from this site which was published), many species of butterflies and birds and this is one of the few areas in the county where the Purple Martins get drinks. I believe it would be very easy for the BLM to protect this area as a gate across the entrance would prevent ORVs and the dumping of trash and the bringing in of large appliances for target practice. A gate would still allow target practice at the site (the site is just 200 yds. off the main paved road) and perhaps a sign reminding those users to pick up their spent cartridges would be helpful. I worry that besides the destruction to this site, the use of TVs and other appliances for target practice might be allowing hazardous materials to get into our waterways. Because BLM is the agency in charge of this federal land, I think they should protect it and yet have it available for many interest groups. Wildflower season is just starting and Pine Flat Rd. is a destination for many. I hate to have the public see this destruction and think it is sanctioned by the BLM. I truly believe that just the installation of a gate could do wonders towards protecting this site, and then, we could begin a clean-up operation, a partnership perhaps between the BLM and volunteers. But until a gate is installed, clean-up is futile, and whenever it has been attempted, it has only taken a short period of time until the area has been trashed again, and cleaning up trash does nothing to protect the ORV damage to the seep above the 'shooting gallery'. I'd be glad to meet with you, or talk with you on the phone about this issue. My contact information is below in my 'signature'. I have a folder of ~20 images taken at this site which I'd be glad to share with you at your request. With confidence that this land can be protected, 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: Pine Flat Rd. out of Healdsburg From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:08:21 -0800 Hi all, Please read this if you are one of the many people who have searched for dragonflies (or even butterflies or birds) on Pine Flat Rd. The ponds at MM10 and the seep above them have provided outstanding habitat for the rare Black Petaltail, the Hoary Skimmer and the CA endemic Black Spreadwing. This land is above the Mayacamas Preserve that is maintained by Audubon. It is BLM land and this spot is only one of 2 places known for the Black Petaltail and the Hoary Skimmer to breed in Sonoma County. Forty species in all have been recorded there with 7 other species found nearby. Unfortunately this land is now referred to locally as the 'lower shooting gallery' because of the activity there. While shooting on BLM land is apparently not against the law, the degradation of the habitat by off-roading vehicles and the use of oil cans floating in the pond for target practice and the influx of old TVs and such for target practice is horrendous. The Madrone Audubon Society has been trying to get the the BLM to deal with this problem, but we have gotten NO RESPONSE in a year and a half's time. Please look at the photos I've put in a "Pine Flat Road" folder ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1579530098/pic/list) to see what I am talking about. The pictures are in reverse chronological order, from newest to oldest. The newest degradation is off roading into the seasonal lower pond where the spreadwings breed. We have hoped to get BLM to at least put a gate across the entrance to this pond area so as to stop the off-roading and to make it more difficult to bring in large junk items to use as target practice. But we haven't even received the courtesy of a reply on this issue. People who visited the area this month say that it is virtually unrecognizable now. They say that the seep area where the Petaltails breed is now so degraded by the off-roaders that there is no regular flow to be seen. A recent note I received states /The pull-out on the road where we used to park to walk in to the pond is now a shooting gallery itself with electronic equipment dumped all about. The hillside on the left where the seep used to be is now so churned up by the off-roaders there is no patch of undisturbed turf. The seasonal pond on the right is criss-crossed with vehicle tracks and the pond itself has taken on a grayish tone and appeared to be lifeless. The shooting plateau is covered, again, with cartridges and shotgun shells as well as their electronic and other targets./ A photo is worth a thousand words, so please click on this link to the Pine Flat folder in the CalOdes photos section: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1579530098/pic/list I'm asking as many of you as possible to send a letter to Richard_Burns AT ca.blm.gov Audubon members who you might want to CC your messages to, besides myself, would include Diane Hichwa dhichwa AT earthlink.net and Bob Speckles robertspeckels AT yahoo.com Another BLM contact would be James_Weigand AT ca.blm.gov Thank you SO MUCH for any and all help you can provide. 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: County Record From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:25:01 -0800 It looks like several of us are spending these dreary days reassesing our collections! Here's another new, but old, county record....this one for Pacific Spiketail in Colusa County (CA chart #28, OC #: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/645635675/pic/499588072/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=181&count=20&dir=asc Several other new, but 'old' records are listed at the end of the 2010 Sightings page: http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/2010.html 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: Sonoma County From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:47:54 -0800 Hi all, Well, David's report of seeing Pacific Forktails at Bodega Bay coupled with today's wonderful sunny, low 60s F day inspired Dave and I to go out to the our local wetlands: The Laguna Wetlands Park (formerly the old Sebastopol Sewer Ponds). I am happy to report that we found Odes. We saw both Variegated Meadowhawks and Pacific Forktails, and, not expecting to find anything else we amused ourselves by seeing which species we'd find the most of.....they came out neck and neck, or should I say prothorax to prothorax?! Of course, in reality there are probably more Forktails as we couldn't see them unless we went down to the water's edge. Our report: Sonoma County Kathy & Dave Biggs Laguna Wetlands Park, Sebastopol, 60-62F, 12:00 -1:00 Pacific Forktail - 8, all seen well were males. One seen on maiden flight assumed to be this species (it emerged from the Laguna proper, not the ponds, which surprised us) Variegated Meadowhawk - 8, including 2 females, one of which was in tandem ovipositing over algae mats in the pond nearest the parking area Hope you're finding a few too!! 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: Pacific Forktails in Sonoma County From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:22:36 -0800 Wonderful that the Odes are making their appearances. David - early date for Pacific Forktail for Sonoma is 2/4/03 - but still the first damsel of the year for Sonoma! 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/ nnamfoh AT comcast.net wrote: > > > Hi CalOders, > > I just got home from the Bodega Bay area and read Don's report of > Pacific Forktails in Monterey County. At the area around > Hole-in-the-Head I had at least six male Pacific Forktails. I don't > know if that's an early date for Sonoma County or not. > > Good hunting, > David A. Hofmann > > > Subject: Pacific Forktails in Sonoma County From: nnamfoh AT comcast.net Date: Thu, 4 Mar 2010 22:07:10 +0000 (UTC) Hi CalOders, I just got home from the Bodega Bay area and read Don's report of Pacific Forktails in Monterey County. At the area around Hole-in-the-Head I had at least six male Pacific Forktails. I don't know if that's an early date for Sonoma County or not. Good hunting, David A. Hofmann Subject: first MTY odes From: Don Roberson <creagrus AT montereybay.com> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:41:25 -0800 On a sunny noon today, between drenching rainstorms yesterday and (if the prediction is right) tomorrow, there were at least 4 Pacific Forktail in my favorite little wet dip adjacent to Laguna Grande Lake in Seaside. All were males and two were very young. This beats the earliest reported flight date for them in the county by 6 days. Don Roberson Subject: Gary's & Paul's Posts From: Karen Havlena <jkhavlena AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 19:54:11 -0800 (PST) Hi Caloders--  I really enjoyed reading both Gary's and Paul's posts on their first "Spring-type" sightings of the year!   It gets my urge to rush outside and check nearby ponds, but way up here in NW California, we only had a high of 46 degrees today with rain.  Still quiet. Living vicariously, Karen Havlena North of Fort Bragg, MEN, CA Subject: Re: San Diego County From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:59:33 -0800 Way too cool!! That's a new early date, IF we don't count a 1/20/1900 date - which I think might be a late date anyway. Raining cats and dogs here!! Ready to head south and search for wildflowers at the end of the month.... 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/ Gary Suttle wrote: >March 3, 2010 > >Poway, backyard pond, 9:10-5:30 off and on, 56-61, partly sunny, cool breezes. > >Cardinal Meadowhawk 1 Observed emergence! > >Gary Suttle > > > > >------------------------------------ > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > Subject: San Diego County From: "Gary Suttle" <odonatophilia AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:49:53 -0000 March 3, 2010 Poway, backyard pond, 9:10-5:30 off and on, 56-61, partly sunny, cool breezes. Cardinal Meadowhawk 1 Observed emergence! Gary Suttle Subject: CalOdes: View Photo: Black Petaltail From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:30:16 -0800 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/645635675/pic/1877740536/view?picmode=&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=21&count=20&dir=asc See above link, change Del Norte County Black Petaltail from a photo record to a specimen record. Thanks!! Kath Subject: Re: California Darner, SF Co., 03/03/10 From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:45:10 -0800 Yahoo! Raining cats and dogs just an hour north of you!! 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/ paulsaraceni AT comcast.net wrote: > > > I just observed my first SF Co. ode of the year, a CALIFORNIA DARNER > in downtown SF -- flying outside my office window investigating > plantings on a 7th Floor "roof-deck", located across the street from > the Ferry Building. > > Paul Saraceni > San Francisco > > > Subject: California Darner, SF Co., 03/03/10 From: paulsaraceni AT comcast.net Date: Wed, 3 Mar 2010 20:12:39 +0000 (UTC) I just observed my first SF Co. ode of the year, a CALIFORNIA DARNER in downtown SF -- flying outside my office window investigating plantings on a 7th Floor "roof-deck", located across the street from the Ferry Building. Paul Saraceni San Francisco Subject: Upcoming dragonfly talk From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:33:23 -0800 Tim Manolis has an upcoming talk on Bay Area odonates in Vallejo next week (see info at: http://www.napasolanoaudubon.com/Event/20100309-DragonfliesAndDamselfliesOfTheBayArea He'll have his books, including the dragonfly coloring books, for sale there. You can check out other forth-coming dfly events/talks at http://www.sonic.net/~bigsnest/Pond/dragons/programs2010.html That is a link off the front page of California Dragonflies. If you or someone you know has a dragonfly talk/field trip coming up, please let us all know and I'll post it too on that page. 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: The Gray Sanddragon link From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:10:32 -0800 Here's that link: http://southwestdragonflies.net/Progomphus%20borealis%206.jpg Kathy Subject: Macrodiplax balteata 3.jpg (JPEG Image, 979x583 pixels) - Scaled (96%) From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:03:05 -0800 http://southwestdragonflies.net/Macrodiplax%20balteata%203.jpg Back in 2008 someone sent me two wonderful images, but I forgot to record who it was. Please look at the Marl Pennant female link above and the Gray Sanddragon link before and let me know if they are yours, or if you know whose they are! The naming nomenclature might help ID the photographer: Macrodiplax balteata 3 Progomphus borealis 6 Thanks, and enjoy, they are really nice images! So far they are only posted to the SW site, not the CALIF site....\ Cheers!! Kathy Ps. Also I wanted to let you know that because of its size, I had to split the SW Anisoptera site into 2 sites...the 1st page of Anisoptera has the Skimmers and Emeralds, and the 2nd page the Darners, Clubtails, Petaltail, Spiketails and Cruisers. Thus, if you do a 'find' on the first page for a clubtail, it won't work as they are now on a separate page. BTW: Chris Heaivilin's site is temporarily down, and I've relinked to Ray Bruun and Doug Aguillard's new sites..... Subject: County Records folder From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:11:56 -0800 Hi all, I've started a new County Records photo folder on CalOdes. It is sorted by species using common name. If your photo of a county record dragonfly isn't in the folder, would you please add it and then also let me know? This is just another back-up of the data which I store in my home and on Odonata Central....I figure it is good for we Californians to keep tabs of our own records, and the more back-ups the better!! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/0/list 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 Ode Info From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:41:38 -0800 Hi all, Tim and I did a thorough reconciliation of our distribution data. This has led to some new (but old) records. They are all recorded at the end of the 2010 flight season webpage (and also in their respective years): http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/2010.html Please update your charts and maps accordingly. Also please note a new early flight date for Paiute Dancer and a new late date for Blue-eyed Darner. 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: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 16:02:26 -0800 February 21, 2010 Riverside County Peter Siminski Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds and San Andres Oasis, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100'; 8:30-13:00, 60-70F, 30-70% cirrus, light air to gentle breeze SE. Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 2 including one in-hand. Vivid Dancer, A. vivida 4 including one tandem pair. Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii 21 Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1 Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1. Note: The construction of three new ponds (future marshes) to the east of the old fish ponds appears to be completed and they have been filled with water; about 8-9 acres. Subject: PetaltailF_RO.jpg (JPEG Image, 782x558 pixels) From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:36:57 -0800 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/PetaltailF_RO.jpg I've been adding new images to my Calif. Dragonflies website. I thought the link above might interest some of you as it is from the southern most occurrence of this species. Thanks for grabbing the image when you had the chance Ron!! Kathy Subject: Pacific Forktails From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:53:16 -0800 It's interesting that Tim Manolis saw quite a few (mostly teneral) Pacific Forktails on Thursday in Sacramento, and Cary Kerst saw one(possibly 2) in Eugene, OR the very next day. Neither of these were new early flight dates however. I'm fogged in here on the North Bay Area coast - no odes. Cheers!! Kathy Ps. Anyone planning on coming on the Blitz? I haven't heard from anyone.... Subject: another 'old' county record From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:37:22 -0800 *August 8, 2009 _Mendocino County_ Kate Marianchild, George Chaniot, Karen Havlena, Matthew Matthiessen * Leonard Lake (northwest of Redwood Valley) and its environs. On a small pond to the east of the lake we found a group of ~8*_ Northern Spreadwing /Lestes disjunctus/_* - photos taken. Photo record, CA Chart #102, OC # 317580 -- 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 Modoc, CA record From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:31:05 -0800 *Please add the following new CA distribution information to your maps and spreadsheet: * *September 27, 2008 Modoc County Steve Rottenborn* North Fork of the Pit River along Highway 395, 4.2 mi. north of Highway 299, north of Alturas *_California Spreadwing /Archilestes californicus/_* - photos of pairs. Photo record, CA Chart #102, OC # 317655 Thanks!! Kathy Subject: RE: Fresno County Record photos From: "Luv2bird" <jillrucker AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:32:09 -0000 I have a correction to the link that was previoulsy posted for the Exclamation Damselfly photos I took. The public folder can be viewed at: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2009880&id=1016199214&l=1824c0c430 "Watch the Birdie." Jill Rucker Fresno, CA www.luv2bird.blogspot.com/ Subject: Re: [SoWestOdes] CalOdes 2010 Dragonfly Blitz From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:00:01 -0800 Thanks for letting us all know Dennis, this way we can make informed decisions. I hadn't realized that they coincided, but I doubt if too many Californians will be flying all the way to Maine, but if many folks are, we can change our date, and I certainly am sad that it mean that many of our 'neighbors' (like you and Oregon and perhaps Arizonans) won't be coming! 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/ Dennis Paulson wrote: > Hi, Kathy. > > I don't suppose it will be significant that the annual DSA meeting is > the same weekend, as I guess the great majority of people who might > attend the blitz wouldn't have planned to go all the way to Maine, but > perhaps a few of them might have. > > Dennis > > > On Feb 15, 2010, at 12:35 PM, Kathy &/or Dave Biggs wrote: > >> >> >> Hello all! >> >> The CalOdes 2010 Dragonfly Blitz will take place the weekend of June >> 26-27, with a preday on Friday the 25th and a post day on Monday the >> 28th, so the whole Blitz will be from June 25-28, 4 days. >> >> The location will be southern Trinity County, which is very >> undercensused, and a beautiful place. A list of the 26 'Missing In >> Action" species for Trinity County is at the end of this email. >> >> I've uploaded two maps into the CalOdes Photo Files in a folder named >> "2010 CalOdes Blitz Maps". Here is a link to the 1+Mg map, or you can go >> to the folder to see it in a smaller size. I suggest printing the large >> size though, and it should just fill a piece of paper in landscape >> orientation. >> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1916924390/pic/1479041325/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc >> >> I'm sorry that I sort of obscured Ruth Lake with my highlighting, but >> the campsites at it, the Forest Glen area, or perhaps the best for our >> 'headquarters' would be the campsite along the Mad River between Ruth >> Lake and the town of Mad River - there are motels nearby in Mad River, >> Hayfork (~10-20 miles from Forest Glen?): >> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=motels+Forest+Glen+California&aq=f&aqi=&oq= >> >> The town of Mad River offers groceries, gas, propane, camping, lodging, >> restaurants and a full-service marina: http://www.thejourneysend.com/ >> >> >> A link to the CalOdes Photo files (located on the CalOdes website on the >> left side - you can always access it that way too! >> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1916924390/pic/list?order=ordinal >> >> >> The 2nd map in the folder is to the extreme SE corner of Trinity County >> where there are more lower elevation lakes and ponds. The high mountain >> species have mostly been documented for Trinity, and it is the lower >> elevation species, plus river/creek species that are still missing. The >> elevation at Ruth Lake is 2657, although it is surrounded by evergreen >> forest. For those of you with families, Ruth Lake is a good fishing spot >> but we'd have to put up with jet skis, etc, so the Mad River campsite >> would be quieter. Read more at >> http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/california/trinity/ruth-lake/ruth-lake/ >> >> >> Ruth Lake was formed in 1962 by the damming of the Mad River, which >> flows into and out of the lake and we'll access the river at several >> sites. We'd be checking mainly the inflow and outflow areas of the lake, >> and perhaps someone might want to canoe/kayak into the coves....but >> there will be some water skiing by others that will create wakes. >> http://www.ruthlakecsd.org/ >> >> Dave and I scouted Ruth Lake, the Mad River Campsite and nearby Forest >> Glen in September last fall. We feel Forest Glen, which is absolutely >> beautiful, has potential for River Jewelwings. This site is further >> north than their southern most old record in Mendocino County. Forest >> Glen is where we found Great Spreadwings last Sept. I've put some photos >> we took from that site in the same 2010 Blitz folder as the maps for >> everyone to see. We recall that that particular campsite had some >> mosquitoes though, but there are several other nearby campgrounds, and >> the one along the Mad River just North of Ruth Lake didn't have >> mosquitoes and might also be a potential site for Jewelwings: >> http://www.ruthlakecsd.org/mapruthlake.htm >> >> >> Dave and I didn't have time to access any of the other nearby sites, but >> there appears to be access to the Eel River south of Ruth Lake. and of >> Wildwood Creek east of Ruth Lake. Access to the Trinity River and >> tributary creeks is west of Hayfork (more motels there, and camping). >> Map of area: >> http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=13&countryCode=US&lat=40.36889&lon=-123.43222 >> >> >> >> http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Mad+River&state=CA&zipcode=95552&country=US&latitude=40.36889&longitude=-123.43222&geocode=LATLNG >> >> >> Ray has found a cluster of low elevation Lakes and Ponds in the extreme >> SE corner. Alas, as he puts it, there is no "elegant" way to get from >> Ruth Lake to this area, but it can be done thru Covelo....these roads go >> off the map at the website, but it is the AAA map of Northern California >> and you should have one of these anyway if you're coming (hope you >> are!!). >> >> Here is a link to weather at Ruth Lake: >> http://www.wunderground.com/US/CA/Ruth.html >> >> >> Trinity MIA species (many are *early season species, thus a June rather >> than a July Blitz): >> >> Anisoptera - Dragonflies: >> 1. Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) >> 2. Ophiogomphus morrisoni (Great Basin Clubtail) >> 3. Progomphus borealis (Gray Sanddragon) >> 4. Rhionaeschna californica (California Darner)* >> 5. Aeshna palmata (Paddle-tailed Darner) >> 6. Epitheca canis (Beaverpond Baskettail)* >> 7. Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) >> 8. Erythemis collocata (Western/Common Pondhawk) >> 9. Leucorrhinia intacta (Dot-tailed Whiteface) >> 10. Ladona julia (Chalk-fronted Corporal) >> 11. Libellula luctuosa (Widow Skimmer) >> 12. Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) >> 13. Paltothemis lineatipes (Red Rock Skimmer) >> 14. Pantala flavescens(Wandering Glider) >> 15, Pantala hymenaea (Spot-winged Glider) >> 16. Sympetrum semicinctum (Band-winged Meadowhawk) [formerly S. >> occidentale (Western Meadowhawk)] >> 17, Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn Meadowhawk)[it will be too early for >> this species] >> 18. Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) >> Zygoptera - Damselflies: >> 19. Calopteryx aequabilis (River Jewelwing)* >> 20. Argia agrioides (Calif. Dancer) >> 21. Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) >> 22. Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) >> 23. Ischnura denticollis (Black-fronted Forktail) >> 24. Ischnura erratica (Swift Forktail)* >> 25. Telebasis salva (Desert Firetail) >> 26. Zoniagrion exclamationis (Exclamation Damsel)* >> >> Please let me know if you plan to attend. The more the merrier! >> >> Cheers!! >> Kathy (& Dave) >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> >> > > > ----- > Dennis Paulson > 1724 NE 98 St. > Seattle, WA 98115 > 206-528-1382 > dennispaulson AT comcast.net > > > Subject: Re: [SoWestOdes] CalOdes 2010 Dragonfly Blitz From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:35:26 -0800 Hi, Kathy. I don't suppose it will be significant that the annual DSA meeting is the same weekend, as I guess the great majority of people who might attend the blitz wouldn't have planned to go all the way to Maine, but perhaps a few of them might have. Dennis On Feb 15, 2010, at 12:35 PM, Kathy &/or Dave Biggs wrote: > Hello all! > > The CalOdes 2010 Dragonfly Blitz will take place the weekend of June > 26-27, with a preday on Friday the 25th and a post day on Monday the > 28th, so the whole Blitz will be from June 25-28, 4 days. > > The location will be southern Trinity County, which is very > undercensused, and a beautiful place. A list of the 26 'Missing In > Action" species for Trinity County is at the end of this email. > > I've uploaded two maps into the CalOdes Photo Files in a folder named > "2010 CalOdes Blitz Maps". Here is a link to the 1+Mg map, or you can go > to the folder to see it in a smaller size. I suggest printing the large > size though, and it should just fill a piece of paper in landscape > orientation. > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1916924390/pic/1479041325/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc > I'm sorry that I sort of obscured Ruth Lake with my highlighting, but > the campsites at it, the Forest Glen area, or perhaps the best for our > 'headquarters' would be the campsite along the Mad River between Ruth > Lake and the town of Mad River - there are motels nearby in Mad River, > Hayfork (~10-20 miles from Forest Glen?): > http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=motels+Forest+Glen+California&aq=f&aqi=&oq= > The town of Mad River offers groceries, gas, propane, camping, lodging, > restaurants and a full-service marina: http://www.thejourneysend.com/ > > A link to the CalOdes Photo files (located on the CalOdes website on the > left side - you can always access it that way too! > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1916924390/pic/list?order=ordinal > > The 2nd map in the folder is to the extreme SE corner of Trinity County > where there are more lower elevation lakes and ponds. The high mountain > species have mostly been documented for Trinity, and it is the lower > elevation species, plus river/creek species that are still missing. The > elevation at Ruth Lake is 2657, although it is surrounded by evergreen > forest. For those of you with families, Ruth Lake is a good fishing spot > but we'd have to put up with jet skis, etc, so the Mad River campsite > would be quieter. Read more at > http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/california/trinity/ruth-lake/ruth-lake/ > > Ruth Lake was formed in 1962 by the damming of the Mad River, which > flows into and out of the lake and we'll access the river at several > sites. We'd be checking mainly the inflow and outflow areas of the lake, > and perhaps someone might want to canoe/kayak into the coves....but > there will be some water skiing by others that will create wakes. > http://www.ruthlakecsd.org/ > > Dave and I scouted Ruth Lake, the Mad River Campsite and nearby Forest > Glen in September last fall. We feel Forest Glen, which is absolutely > beautiful, has potential for River Jewelwings. This site is further > north than their southern most old record in Mendocino County. Forest > Glen is where we found Great Spreadwings last Sept. I've put some photos > we took from that site in the same 2010 Blitz folder as the maps for > everyone to see. We recall that that particular campsite had some > mosquitoes though, but there are several other nearby campgrounds, and > the one along the Mad River just North of Ruth Lake didn't have > mosquitoes and might also be a potential site for Jewelwings: > http://www.ruthlakecsd.org/mapruthlake.htm > > Dave and I didn't have time to access any of the other nearby sites, but > there appears to be access to the Eel River south of Ruth Lake. and of > Wildwood Creek east of Ruth Lake. Access to the Trinity River and > tributary creeks is west of Hayfork (more motels there, and camping). > Map of area: > http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=13&countryCode=US&lat=40.36889&lon=-123.43222 > > http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Mad+River&state=CA&zipcode=95552&country=US&latitude=40.36889&longitude=-123.43222&geocode=LATLNG > > Ray has found a cluster of low elevation Lakes and Ponds in the extreme > SE corner. Alas, as he puts it, there is no "elegant" way to get from > Ruth Lake to this area, but it can be done thru Covelo....these roads go > off the map at the website, but it is the AAA map of Northern California > and you should have one of these anyway if you're coming (hope you are!!). > > Here is a link to weather at Ruth Lake: > http://www.wunderground.com/US/CA/Ruth.html > > Trinity MIA species (many are *early season species, thus a June rather > than a July Blitz): > > Anisoptera - Dragonflies: > 1. Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) > 2. Ophiogomphus morrisoni (Great Basin Clubtail) > 3. Progomphus borealis (Gray Sanddragon) > 4. Rhionaeschna californica (California Darner)* > 5. Aeshna palmata (Paddle-tailed Darner) > 6. Epitheca canis (Beaverpond Baskettail)* > 7. Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) > 8. Erythemis collocata (Western/Common Pondhawk) > 9. Leucorrhinia intacta (Dot-tailed Whiteface) > 10. Ladona julia (Chalk-fronted Corporal) > 11. Libellula luctuosa (Widow Skimmer) > 12. Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) > 13. Paltothemis lineatipes (Red Rock Skimmer) > 14. Pantala flavescens(Wandering Glider) > 15, Pantala hymenaea (Spot-winged Glider) > 16. Sympetrum semicinctum (Band-winged Meadowhawk) [formerly S. occidentale (Western Meadowhawk)] > 17, Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn Meadowhawk)[it will be too early for this species] > 18. Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) > Zygoptera - Damselflies: > 19. Calopteryx aequabilis (River Jewelwing)* > 20. Argia agrioides (Calif. Dancer) > 21. Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) > 22. Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) > 23. Ischnura denticollis (Black-fronted Forktail) > 24. Ischnura erratica (Swift Forktail)* > 25. Telebasis salva (Desert Firetail) > 26. Zoniagrion exclamationis (Exclamation Damsel)* > > Please let me know if you plan to attend. The more the merrier! > > Cheers!! > Kathy (& Dave) > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net Subject: CalOdes 2010 Dragonfly Blitz From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:35:45 -0800 Hello all! The CalOdes 2010 Dragonfly Blitz will take place the weekend of June 26-27, with a preday on Friday the 25th and a post day on Monday the 28th, so the whole Blitz will be from June 25-28, 4 days. The location will be southern Trinity County, which is very undercensused, and a beautiful place. A list of the 26 'Missing In Action" species for Trinity County is at the end of this email. I've uploaded two maps into the CalOdes Photo Files in a folder named "2010 CalOdes Blitz Maps". Here is a link to the 1+Mg map, or you can go to the folder to see it in a smaller size. I suggest printing the large size though, and it should just fill a piece of paper in landscape orientation. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1916924390/pic/1479041325/view?picmode=original&mode=tn&order=ordinal&start=1&dir=asc I'm sorry that I sort of obscured Ruth Lake with my highlighting, but the campsites at it, the Forest Glen area, or perhaps the best for our 'headquarters' would be the campsite along the Mad River between Ruth Lake and the town of Mad River - there are motels nearby in Mad River, Hayfork (~10-20 miles from Forest Glen?): http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=motels+Forest+Glen+California&aq=f&aqi=&oq= The town of Mad River offers groceries, gas, propane, camping, lodging, restaurants and a full-service marina: http://www.thejourneysend.com/ A link to the CalOdes Photo files (located on the CalOdes website on the left side - you can always access it that way too! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/photos/album/1916924390/pic/list?order=ordinal The 2nd map in the folder is to the extreme SE corner of Trinity County where there are more lower elevation lakes and ponds. The high mountain species have mostly been documented for Trinity, and it is the lower elevation species, plus river/creek species that are still missing. The elevation at Ruth Lake is 2657, although it is surrounded by evergreen forest. For those of you with families, Ruth Lake is a good fishing spot but we'd have to put up with jet skis, etc, so the Mad River campsite would be quieter. Read more at http://www.fishingworks.com/lakes/california/trinity/ruth-lake/ruth-lake/ Ruth Lake was formed in 1962 by the damming of the Mad River, which flows into and out of the lake and we'll access the river at several sites. We'd be checking mainly the inflow and outflow areas of the lake, and perhaps someone might want to canoe/kayak into the coves....but there will be some water skiing by others that will create wakes. http://www.ruthlakecsd.org/ Dave and I scouted Ruth Lake, the Mad River Campsite and nearby Forest Glen in September last fall. We feel Forest Glen, which is absolutely beautiful, has potential for River Jewelwings. This site is further north than their southern most old record in Mendocino County. Forest Glen is where we found Great Spreadwings last Sept. I've put some photos we took from that site in the same 2010 Blitz folder as the maps for everyone to see. We recall that that particular campsite had some mosquitoes though, but there are several other nearby campgrounds, and the one along the Mad River just North of Ruth Lake didn't have mosquitoes and might also be a potential site for Jewelwings: http://www.ruthlakecsd.org/mapruthlake.htm Dave and I didn't have time to access any of the other nearby sites, but there appears to be access to the Eel River south of Ruth Lake. and of Wildwood Creek east of Ruth Lake. Access to the Trinity River and tributary creeks is west of Hayfork (more motels there, and camping). Map of area: http://www.multimap.com/maps/?zoom=13&countryCode=US&lat=40.36889&lon=-123.43222 http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Mad+River&state=CA&zipcode=95552&country=US&latitude=40.36889&longitude=-123.43222&geocode=LATLNG Ray has found a cluster of low elevation Lakes and Ponds in the extreme SE corner. Alas, as he puts it, there is no "elegant" way to get from Ruth Lake to this area, but it can be done thru Covelo....these roads go off the map at the website, but it is the AAA map of Northern California and you should have one of these anyway if you're coming (hope you are!!). Here is a link to weather at Ruth Lake: http://www.wunderground.com/US/CA/Ruth.html Trinity MIA species (many are *early season species, thus a June rather than a July Blitz): Anisoptera - Dragonflies: 1. Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) 2. Ophiogomphus morrisoni (Great Basin Clubtail) 3. Progomphus borealis (Gray Sanddragon) 4. Rhionaeschna californica (California Darner)* 5. Aeshna palmata (Paddle-tailed Darner) 6. Epitheca canis (Beaverpond Baskettail)* 7. Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) 8. Erythemis collocata (Western/Common Pondhawk) 9. Leucorrhinia intacta (Dot-tailed Whiteface) 10. Ladona julia (Chalk-fronted Corporal) 11. Libellula luctuosa (Widow Skimmer) 12. Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) 13. Paltothemis lineatipes (Red Rock Skimmer) 14. Pantala flavescens(Wandering Glider) 15, Pantala hymenaea (Spot-winged Glider) 16. Sympetrum semicinctum (Band-winged Meadowhawk) [formerly S. occidentale (Western Meadowhawk)] 17, Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn Meadowhawk)[it will be too early for this species] 18. Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) Zygoptera - Damselflies: 19. Calopteryx aequabilis (River Jewelwing)* 20. Argia agrioides (Calif. Dancer) 21. Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) 22. Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) 23. Ischnura denticollis (Black-fronted Forktail) 24. Ischnura erratica (Swift Forktail)* 25. Telebasis salva (Desert Firetail) 26. Zoniagrion exclamationis (Exclamation Damsel)* Please let me know if you plan to attend. The more the merrier! Cheers!! Kathy (& Dave) Subject: Fresno County record From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:57:08 -0800 Hi all, Well, this is a first - a new county record found on Facebook! Thanks to Ed Lam for first noticing it. Data below, and I'll post the 2 images in the files section in just a moment..... *Date May 2009 Fresno County Jill Rucker* Near San Joaquin River The location was just north of this intersection that you can see w/aerial view the river, the spillway, the Madera and Fresno County lines: http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Fresno &state=CA&address=W+Nees+Ave+%26+N+Palm+Ave&zipcode=93711&country=US&latitude=36.85178&longitude=-119.80524&geocode=INTERSECTION [Madera County has not had Exclamation Damsels reported, so they should be looked for next year! - kb] *Exclamation Damsel /Zoniagrion exclamationis/* - pair photographed *May 3, 2009* *Fresno County Jill Rucker* San Joaquin River below Palm & Nees Avenues in Fresno *Exclamation Damsel /Zoniagrion exclamationis/* - female photographed Those of you on FaceBook may be able to see Jill's dragonfly images in her insects folder: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30423673&id=1016199214#!/album.php?aid=2009880&id=1016199214 Thanks Jill and welcome to CalOdes.....please let me know the date of the image of the pair.... 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 file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 12 Feb 2010 20:19:44 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /sightings report form.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : Form for reporting sightings You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/sightings%20report%20form.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: Kathy's 1st dfly! From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 11 Feb 2010 13:32:05 -0800 Yippee! I just had a female Variegated Meadowhawk come in and perch on our back deck. She was feeding and ignored the pond. I did get a few photos, and she's not a teneral, but not geriatric either. The white stripes on the sides of her thorax were already obscured but her wings weren't tattered at all. My 1st dfly of the year, and she came to me. How sweet!! 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: Brimstone Clubtail From: "Doug" <Doug.Willick AT tcb.aecom.com> Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:52:09 -0000 Hi Kathy, I was fortunate to get those images after following up on a post from Gary Suttle, a week or two earlier (in which he provided details on a location he'd found Brimstone Clubtail in s.w. Imperial County, along with Russet-tipped, which I was also interested in seeing). It took me a couple visits to finally find a couple Brimstones and one Russet-tipped, but it was well worth it (and the 105 degree mid-day temps were actually not too bad for this area and date). Doug Willick Orange, CA --- In CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com, Kathy &/or Dave Biggs wrote: > > http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/BrimstoneMale.html > > The above link goes to 3 wonderful images of a male Brimstone > Clubtail.....but I can't remember who sent me the images! Help!! > Kathy > Subject: Blue-sheened Emerald Spreadwing From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:06:42 -0800 http://southwestdragonflies.net/damsels/cadamselphotos/EmeraldSprdwng_7-2009.jpg The scan shown on the link above doesn't show it very well, but this Emerald Spreadwing's shine off the thorax was decidedly BLUE! 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: Brimstone Clubtail From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:24:44 -0800 http://southwestdragonflies.net/caphotos/BrimstoneMale.html The above link goes to 3 wonderful images of a male Brimstone Clubtail.....but I can't remember who sent me the images! Help!! Kathy Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 19:48:10 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps & Excel File/Lestesmaps.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA Spreadwing maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps%20%26%20Excel%20File/Lestesmaps.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 02:03:55 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/map_Mixed SkimmersB-P.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA Mixed Skimmer species maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/map_Mixed%20SkimmersB-P.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 02:05:40 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/map_Whitefaced Skimmers.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA Whiteface Skimmer maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/map_Whitefaced%20Skimmers.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 02:04:50 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/map_Skimmers_Saddlebags.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA Saddlebags maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/map_Skimmers_Saddlebags.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 02:02:58 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/map_King_Skimmers.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA King Skimmer (Libellula) maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/map_King_Skimmers.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 02:02:03 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/map_all_emeralds.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA Emerald maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/map_all_emeralds.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 02:01:17 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/map_all_darners.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA Darner maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/map_all_darners.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 01:59:05 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/ForktailMaps.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA forktail maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/ForktailMaps.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 02:00:35 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/map_all_clubtails.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA Clubtail maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/map_all_clubtails.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 01:59:48 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/Lestesmaps.doc Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : CA Spreadwing maps You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/Lestesmaps.doc To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 9 Feb 2010 01:57:24 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /CA Odonata Distribution Maps/CA_OD_counties.xls Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : California dragonfly distribution by county You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/CA%20Odonata%20Distribution%20Maps/CA_OD_counties.xls To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: New file uploaded to CalOdes From: CalOdes AT yahoogroups.com Date: 8 Feb 2010 04:20:33 -0000 Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the CalOdes group. File : /ODESbyMONTH2009.xls Uploaded by : bigsnest Description : dragonfly flight data thru 2009 You can access this file at the URL: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CalOdes/files/ODESbyMONTH2009.xls To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit: http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/forms/general.htmlfiles Regards, bigsnest Subject: Re: CA Ode Blitz From: Ray Bruun <bruun AT frontiernet.net> Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:34:43 -0800 Hi Kathy -- Trinity (and Tahoe) sounds good to me. Do you have any locations in mind? Trinity County (along Hwy 299 at least) doesn't have much in the way of accessible habitat. Ray Bruun Shingletown, Shasta County, CA Kathy &/or Dave Biggs wrote: > Hi all, > > I'm planning a Blitz of Trinity Co, in hopes of finding many of the > 'missing in action' species there, for either the weekend of June 12-13 > or June 26-27. The 26 (!!) MIA species are mostly river and lowland > species, so we'll meet in an area west of Redding near Weaverville (TBA) > and work our way south and west from there. Please let me know if you're > interested, and which weekend would be best for you. We usually add the > Friday before and Monday after the weekend for those who can stay the > longer period of time. > > Another group of folks is interested in a field trip to the Lake Tahoe > region. That area has a lot of the unique mountain species, and although > it doesn't 'need' censusing, it could be a lot of fun and a chance for > folks to add to their life lists. I haven't heard a proposed date for > this trip yet. It should be planned so as not to overlap the Trinity Blitz. > > No one has stepped forward to plan a Southern Calif. trip and it's too > early to know if this will be a great year for species extension into > Calif. from Baja and AZ yet, so perhaps if anyone wanted to plan this, > it could wait, it would probably be an early fall trip.... > > Hoping you can come. These trips are great for scenery, odes and getting > to know each other. We usually have a LOT of fun. The Trinity trip will > be mostly camping, but there are always motels nearby for those who > prefer more creature comforts. > > Cheers!! > Kathy & Dave > > Subject: Re: CA Ode Blitz From: Douglas Vaughan <vaughan4 AT mindspring.com> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 11:02:22 -0800 On Feb 4, 2010, at 10:33 AM, Kathy &/or Dave Biggs wrote: > Another group of folks is interested in a field trip to the Lake Tahoe > region. That area has a lot of the unique mountain species, and > although > it doesn't 'need' censusing, it could be a lot of fun and a chance for > folks to add to their life lists. I haven't heard a proposed date for > this trip yet. It should be planned so as not to overlap the Trinity > Blitz. > I'll just mention that, last time I checked, Sierra County, which has lots of hidden, unexplored corners, is still "missing" several likely species and might even harbor rarities in the Lakes Basin (which is shares with Plumas County) or in the Sierra Valley (ditto). Doug Vaughan Berkeley Subject: CA Ode Blitz From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:33:56 -0800 Hi all, I'm planning a Blitz of Trinity Co, in hopes of finding many of the 'missing in action' species there, for either the weekend of June 12-13 or June 26-27. The 26 (!!) MIA species are mostly river and lowland species, so we'll meet in an area west of Redding near Weaverville (TBA) and work our way south and west from there. Please let me know if you're interested, and which weekend would be best for you. We usually add the Friday before and Monday after the weekend for those who can stay the longer period of time. Another group of folks is interested in a field trip to the Lake Tahoe region. That area has a lot of the unique mountain species, and although it doesn't 'need' censusing, it could be a lot of fun and a chance for folks to add to their life lists. I haven't heard a proposed date for this trip yet. It should be planned so as not to overlap the Trinity Blitz. No one has stepped forward to plan a Southern Calif. trip and it's too early to know if this will be a great year for species extension into Calif. from Baja and AZ yet, so perhaps if anyone wanted to plan this, it could wait, it would probably be an early fall trip.... Hoping you can come. These trips are great for scenery, odes and getting to know each other. We usually have a LOT of fun. The Trinity trip will be mostly camping, but there are always motels nearby for those who prefer more creature comforts. Cheers!! Kathy & Dave -- 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: San Diego County From: "Gary Suttle" <odonatophilia AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:06:03 -0000 January 25, 2010 Lake Poway, 12:00-1:45, mostly sunny with increasing high clouds, 55-65 degrees. Vivid Dancer 2 adult males (dam base outlet creek) Bluet sp. 9 tenerals Pacific Forktail 2 Variegated Meadowhawk 4 ______________________ January 16, 2010 Lake Poway, 12:30-2:00, partly sunny, 68 degrees. Familiar Bluet 2 Tule Bluet 1 immature Bluet sp. several tenerals Pacific Forktail 3 Variegated Meadowhawk 3 Between these two reports, it rained for 5 days straight, unusual for Southern California, locally dumping 5.65 inches from January 18th-22nd. Cold temperatures (mid-30's at night) and high winds accompanied the precipitation. When the sun returned, so did the odes, as well as early flying Sara's Orange-Tip butterflies! Gary Suttle Poway, CA Subject: New county record from 2006 From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:41:31 -0800 None of us realized that this report was a new county record last year. It didn't' come in via CalOdes but was sent to me privately: * Mono County* *May 22, 2009 Barbara and Ron Oriti fish slough giant darner /Anax walsinghami - new sight record (unless they can find a photo) /* -- 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 Dfly Blitz & SW maps From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:47:40 -0800 I've just updated new maps for Dragonflies (Anisoptera) on my Southwest site. Looking at them can give you an idea what is found where, so far!! The damselfly (Zygoptera) maps will be added soon. Re: Blitz - So far, folks have voted in about equal #s for all Blitz options! I'm thinking maybe we could have an early and then a later blitz, sort of make up for missing one last year... I'll willing to step up and plan a southern Trinity County blitz in June. These are the species that are "MIA" for Trinity: Anisoptera: Erpetogomphus compositus (White-belted Ringtail) Ophiogomphus morrisoni (Great Basin Clubtail) Progomphus borealis (Gray Sanddragon) Rhionaeschna californica (California Darner) Aeshna palmata (Paddle-tailed Darner) Epitheca canis (Beaverpond Baskettail) Brechmorhoga mendax (Pale-faced Clubskimmer) Erythemis collocata (Western/Common Pondhawk) Leucorrhinia intacta (Dot-tailed Whiteface) Ladona julia (Chalk-fronted Corporal) Libellula luctuosa (Widow Skimmer) Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) Paltothemis lineatipes (Red Rock Skimmer) Pantala flavescens(Wandering Glider) Pantala hymenaea (Spot-winged Glider) Sympetrum semicinctum (Band-winged Meadowhawk) [formerly S. occidentale (Western Meadowhawk)] Sympetrum vicinum (Autumn Meadowhawk) Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) Zygoptera: Calopteryx aequabilis (River Jewelwing) Argia agrioides (Calif. Dancer) Argia nahuana (Aztec Dancer) Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) Ischnura denticollis (Black-fronted Forktail) Ischnura erratica (Swift Forktail) Telebasis salva (Desert Firetail) Zoniagrion exclamationis (Exclamation Damsel) Then, perhaps someone else could step up and plan a more southern one? I know Tim in particular would still like to look for a state record in far northern CA, but we've done that twice already and several of us are capable of getting into those areas on our own, but if anyone wants to lead a trip there, let us know! And, newcomers are welcome. The purpose of the Blitz is to find new records while getting to meet each other and have fun in the field. Both those who prefer to use photography and those willing to net county vouchers are welcome! We're a friendly lot and willing to share tips with newbies and out-of-staters. I'd like to hear back from as many folks as possible. 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: Winter doldrums and way, way off-topic From: Don Roberson <creagrus AT montereybay.com> Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:45:53 -0800 Should the winter doldrums to be too discouraging, I have posted photos of 4 odes from Australia, taken in Nov, at http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/SAuz09-odes.html Don Roberson Pacific Grove CA Subject: FW: Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) Oviposition Photos From: "Jim Johnson" <jt_johnson AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:31:19 -0800 Kathy Biggs claims that CalOders have winter doldrums too, so here's something that I posted to the NW_Odonata group today. Jim Greetings, I've been trying to get caught up with updating my web site with last season's odonate photos. Today I added a page with a series of photos illustrating the egg-laying flight of Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) which I obtained in Virginia last May: http://odonata.bogfoot.net/photo-pages/ovi-Tramea-lacerata.htm . This is a Northwest species, so I think it's appropriate for a Northwest listserve. I thought some of you would be interested in a break from the winter doldrums (especially with the wet windy weather we'll have for the next few days). Cheers, Jim Johnson Vancouver, Washington jt_johnson AT comcast.net http://odonata.bogfoot.net/ Subject: Contra Costa Co. From: "mathesont" <mathesont AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:23:58 -0000 Briones RP, Sindicich & Maricich Lagoons; 11:00am to 2:00pm, mid-70s, clear, light NE breeze Variegated Meadowhawk - 1 Rob Thomas Martinez Subject: Tahoe blitz? From: Will Richardson <t.will.richardson AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:08:05 -0800 Hey folks, I'm late to the party here, having just joined the list last night, so I don't have a very good idea of where folks live, where there interests lie, who you all are, etc. But while perusing recent posts and the archives, I got very interested in the idea of a blitz. From what Kathy has told me, it seems that past emphasis has been on finding new state records, with secondary emphases on 1) new county records and 2) just getting folks together. I'd like to suggest the Lake Tahoe basin (at least in part, depending on how big of an area you like to cover). It has a decent elevational gradient, with a lot of moisture up high, and I suspect that quite a number of boreal species could be found at these relatively low latitudes (Spiny Baskettail?). Also, I'm not sure how excited you all are about county lists, but the Tahoe basin falls within six different counties, three in CA, three in NV. I did see in the archives that Alpine Co. was under-surveyed, so this is a chance to chip away at that deficiency (but know that very little of the county is actually within the Tahoe basin, so serious efforts to sample Alpine would largely take place outside of Tahoe - so be it). But I have ulterior motives for suggesting the Lake Tahoe basin, beyond just its limited driving distance from my home. I am in the nascent stages of launching a non- profit based out of Tahoe, a science and education/outreach organization, and I'm looking for good citizen-science ventures. We are considering full-scale (taxonomically speaking), annual bio- blitzes in the future, but having an ode-specific basin-wide blitz (or maybe just S. Lake, or maybe the southern portion of the Tahoe basin + Hope Valley and parts of Alpine Co., etc.) is definitely something we could pull off in 2010. Having a blitz here could provide a fantastic springboard for any further ode work at Tahoe by: compiling a comprehensive list of Tahoe basin odes, identifying key or unique ode habitats within the basin, drumming up enthusiasm for the Tahoe region among ode-lovers, drumming up enthusiasm for odes among those that live in the area, helping guys like me with the identification problems of our local taxa, etc., etc. Further, several of the folks on this list already come up to Tahoe on occasion, for birding and other activities, so I'm hoping that at least those few might be interested in more intensively surveying this familiar "patch." In fact, even if the group decides on doing a CalOdes blitz elsewhere, I'd like to suggest attempting a smaller scale effort for Tahoe anyway, if there's sufficient interest. For the many folks living in the middle of the state, it's a relatively short trip, and for the folks in the northern and southern extremities of the state, they have only to meet halfway; I think that provides some incentive from a time and money perspective. So, to me it seems, the having a blitz in Tahoe area has quite a bit of merit. And I can promise that my organization would do its utmost to promote and support the effort in every way possible! I look forward to hearing your opinions on this idea. Thanks! Will Richardson Truckee, CA Subject: blitz From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:21:04 -0800 Votes for CA Blitz so far: *Trinity County* - under-censused (probably mid to southern portion)= III *western Nevada* - under-censused - II *NE California* - new state darner - (Modoc and/or eastern Siskiyou counties) - II *Eagle Lake &/or Lassen Nat. Park, Lassen County* - new state darner - II *southeast Arizona/CA* the first week of August - new species - II *San Luis Obispo Co* ?? needs censusing but not as pretty or as unusually bugs there - I Please vote &/or suggest places yourselves. A Blitz is always a lot of fun, plus giving us good data on under censused areas. 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/ Ray Bruun wrote: >I'm considering a trip to southeast Arizona the first week of August. >If it also became an Ode Bllitz that would be fine. The more, the merrier. > >Ray Bruun >Shingletown, Shasta County, CA > > > >Kathy &/or Dave Biggs wrote: > > >>We didn't do a blitz last year. ....anyone interested in one this year? >>2 ideas, Trinity Co. for undercensused, western NV for undercensused, >>open to any other ideas! >>Cheers!! >>Kathy >> >> >> >> > > > >------------------------------------ > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > Subject: Re: blitz From: Ray Bruun <bruun AT frontiernet.net> Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:08:19 -0800 I'm considering a trip to southeast Arizona the first week of August. If it also became an Ode Bllitz that would be fine. The more, the merrier. Ray Bruun Shingletown, Shasta County, CA Kathy &/or Dave Biggs wrote: > We didn't do a blitz last year. ....anyone interested in one this year? > 2 ideas, Trinity Co. for undercensused, western NV for undercensused, > open to any other ideas! > Cheers!! > Kathy > > Subject: Late or Early Blue-eyed Darner? From: "Gary Suttle" <odonatophilia AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:38:47 -0000 I'd last observed Rhionaeschna multicolor flying at Dos Picos pond (elevation ca.1500 feet) on 12-2-09. It rained heavily a few days later, and lightly on a couple of additional days during the month. Night time temperatures often dropped below freezing (to 25 degrees). Then mostly sunny days and moderate temperatures prevailed during the last three weeks. Several subsequent visits to the pond turned up no Blue-eyed Darner, until today. The dragonfly appeared fresh and perky as it patrolled, occasionally mixing it up with a Variegated Meadowhawk. So it may well be a new early date, rather than a new late date, but it could be either. I imagine rising temperatures and lengthening flight periods will lead to more 'late or early' questions in the future. Gary Suttle Poway, CA Subject: Re: Blue-eyed or I'm blue! From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:47:46 -0800 Oh Blue-eyed for certain!! I just don't know whether to call it a new early or a new late date!!! early date: 3/12/2005 Late date: 12/12/2008 Since it is closer to old late date, I might use your photos as new late date, but I'm open to everyone else's thoughts too! Cheers!! Kathy Ps. Freezing fog and no burn days here....brr..... -- 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/ Gary Suttle wrote: > Not a California Darner??? > > > It's size, bright blue eyes, and wide thorax stripe gave me the > confidence to call it--had good looks, but only caught it in flight, > fuzzily! > > What do you think? If you have the slightest doubt about it, please > let me know right away and I will erase the Cal-Odes post immediately! > > Thanks, > > Gary > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > DSC_8003 > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > DSC_8002 > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > DSC_7991 > > Subject: San Diego County From: "Gary Suttle" <odonatophilia AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:26:38 -0000 January 9, 2010 Dos Picos County Park pond, 11:00-12:30, partly clear with some high clouds, 68-75 degrees. Blue-eyed Darner 1 photos Patrolling southeast shoreline. Variegated Meadowhawk 5 Single and tandem ovipositing. Gary Suttle Poway,CA Subject: blitz From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:50:03 -0800 We didn't do a blitz last year. ....anyone interested in one this year? 2 ideas, Trinity Co. for undercensused, western NV for undercensused, open to any other ideas! 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: IORI - clearance sale on old Odonatologica's From: <iodonata AT bellsouth.net> Date: Sat, 9 Jan 2010 09:26:28 -0500 IORI/FSCA clearance sale * 60% off Odonatologica full year sets (prior to 2005) * 25% of single issues * Additional 10% of for SIO members. * Dragonflies through Binoculars (by Sid Dunkle) $ 16.99 each * 10% discount on new member/subscriptions to SIO/Odonatlogica through Feb 28, 2010. email me for details www.iodonata.net > select "Books/Supplies" All proceeds go to assist in the curation of the FSCA/IORI Odonata collections 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 Subject: last anisopteran dates From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:26:34 -0800 September 4, 2009 Modoc County Steve Rottenborn *Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata 6 [last report 2009] November 26, 2009 Sonoma County Kathy & Dave Biggs Bigsnest Wildlife Pond, Sebastopol back yard, 69F, sunny *Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa, flew circles around the pond (also seen on 24th) [last report 2009] September 27, 2009 Monterey County Don Roberson San Antonio River, North Ford, below Wagon Caves in Los Padres NF 1150-1320; calm, clear, 101 degrees (!!) -- really hot this day Given the very dry summer, the river is reduced to a small rivulet with larger puddles were ponds used to be elev. ~1400 ft.; oak savanna with huge rock outcroppings *Walker's Darner Aeshna walkeri 4 including a tandem in flight and briefly perched (photo) [last report 2009] *Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes 1 m (photo) [last report 2009] December 12, 2009 Monterey County Don Roberson with Rita Carratello Carmel R. mouth (Odello area), mostly birding for 1 hour *Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor 1 male [last report 2009 - ties oldest sighting] December 19, 2009 San Diego County Garry Suttle Dos Picos Pond, Ramona, 11:30, mostly sunny, 75 degrees *Common Green Darner Anax junius 1 [last report 2009] November 24, 2009 San Diego County Gary Suttle Ramona, Dos Picos County Park pond, 10:30-11:15, clear, breezy, 64 degrees *Red-tailed Pennant Brachymesia furcata 1M [last report 2009] August 22, 2009 Monterey County Paul Johnson Arroyo Seco NRA; 1000-1400, cloudy, breezy, ~65-75F *pale-faced clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax – 2 [last report 2009] October 17, 2009 Riverside County Peter Siminski Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 8:50-12:10, 80-100F, cloudless, calm to gentle breeze S. *Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 4 [last report 2009] *Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens [last report 2009] *Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 7 [last report 2009] November 21, 2009 Riverside County Peter Siminski Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100’; 8:40-13:10, 62-76F, cloudless, light to gentle breeze S. *Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea 1 [last report 2009] [if seen in Jan. 2010 - will be late date, not early] October 3, 2009 Riverside County Joanna Stark Pond (a lovely little oasis) at the Joshua Tree RV and camping site; 97 degrees F, winds 20-35 mph (really dusty!) *Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis – 1 male on territory (this brings the # of species for JSP to 10 - kb) [last report 2009] September 2, 2009 San Diego County Doug Aguillard Point Loma, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery; morning - a swarm/migration event. *Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea 15 [last report 2009] September 25, 2009 San Diego County Gary Suttle Lake Poway, 2:30-4:30, sunny, light breeze, 93-91 degrees. (Dam base pond) *Mexican Amberwing Perithemis intensa 1 [last report 2009] December 26, 2009 San Diego County Peter Siminski Hellhole Canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, 9:30-14:00, 50-60F, 60% altostratus, light air. *Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1 [last report 2009] October 23, 2009 Contra Costa County Rob Thomas Briones RP, Sindicich & Maricich Lagoons; 11:00am to 2:00pm, mid-70s, clear, light NE breeze *Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum – 2M barely alive in water [last report 2009] September 27, 2009 Siskiyou County Kathy & Dave Biggs; Bob and Patti Claypole The Nelson Ranch, off A-12 near the Lava Lakes *Band-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum semicinctum - 2 females seen well [last report 2009] October 2, 2009 Marin County Ann Johnson and Jim Bagma Pt. Reyes - Five Brooks and the pond at Drake’s Beach. *Striped Meadowhawk Sympetrum pallipes [last report 2009] ------------------------------------ Yahoo! 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Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ Subject: last 2009 dates From: Kathy &/or Dave Biggs <bigsnest AT sonic.net> Date: Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:43:32 -0800 Please let me know if you saw an old later than the following last reports: *October 2, 2009* *_Imperial County_* *Gary Suttle and David Rawlins* Westside Main Canal AT Highway the 98 bridge crossing, 9:30-12:30, partly sunny to mostly cloudy, with a few sprinkles, 76-88 degrees. **American Rubyspot* */Hetaerina americana/* 2 [last report 2009] **Powdered Dancer* many [last report 2009] *December 1, 2009 _San Diego County_ * *Garry Suttle* Felicita Creek, Escondido, 11:00, sunny, 67 degrees **California Spreadwing **/Archilestes californicus/ *1* [last report 2009] * *October 25, 2009*** Tulare County *Paul G. Johnson* Middle Fork Kaweah River ~2.5 miles upstream of the Marble Fork confluence (below the suspension foot bridge. To get there, take the Buckeye Flat Campground turnoff, make the first possible right, park and walk upstream about 0.2 miles.) Calm, clear, ~75 F. 1130-1500. (I was not particularly looking for odes.) *_* Great spreadwing /Archilestes grandis/_* - 2 (males) CA Chart #26 OC# 315548 [last report 2009] (any report this year 2010 thru end of March could be considered a late date, not early, for this species) ------ *October 23, 2009* *_Contra Costa County_* *Rob Thomas* Briones RP, Sindicich & Maricich Lagoons; 11:00am to 2:00pm, mid-70s, clear, light NE breeze **Spotted Spreadwing /Lestes congener/* - 17 include 2 pairs [last report 2009] ----- *November 21, 2009* *_Riverside County_* *Peter Siminski* Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100'; 8:40-13:10, 62-76F, cloudless, light to gentle breeze S. **Paiute Dancer, /Argia alberta/* 8 including one in-hand and photographed. [last report 2009] **Blue-ringed Dancer, /A. sedula/* 1 [last report 2009] **Vivid Dancer, /Argia vivida/ *3 [last report 2009] **Rambur's Forktail, /Ischnura ramburii/* 4 [last report 2009] ----- *November 24, 2009* *_San Diego County_* *Gary Suttle* Ramona, Dos Picos County Park pond, 10:30-11:15, clear, breezy, 64 degrees. ****Tule Bluet /Enallagma carunculatum/ *2 [last report 2009] **Familiar Bluet /Enallagma civile/ *1 [last report 2009]* *** ----- *September 27, 2009 _Siskiyou County_ Kathy & Dave Biggs; Bob and Patti Claypole* The Nelson Ranch, off A-12 near the Lava Lakes **Arroyo Bluet* */Enallagma pravareum/*- 1 male, probably more of this species, in-hand ID. Found along A12 at intersection with Nelson Rd. [last report 2009] *---- * *November 3, 2009* Santa Clara County *Steve Rottenborn* Oka Ponds along Los Gatos Creek in Campbell -- I got out in the warm weather to see what was still flying **Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula* - 10 [last report 2009] ----- *September 25, 2009* Modoc County *Steve Rottenborn ***Black-fronted Forktail /Ischnura denticollis/ *1000+ [last report 2009] *September 25, 2009* *_San Diego County_* *Gary Suttle* Lake Poway, 2:30-4:30, sunny, light breeze, 93-91 degrees. (Dam base pond) ****Desert Firetail /Telebasis salva/ *3M 2F [last report 2009] THANKS!! I'll send the Anisoptera last reports soon... Happy New Decade Caloders!! 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: Kern Variegated Meadowhawk & Ancient Giant Dragonflies From: David Blue <d.blue AT mchsi.com> Date: Sat, 2 Jan 2010 19:48:25 -0800 Just to put another piece of the Variegated Meadowhawk puzzle in place, I had one land on my mountain bike tire today (Saturday, January 2) just outside of Ridgecrest in Northeastern Kern County. (No, I don't really pedal that slowly! I had just unloaded it from the vehicle before my ride.) I know that Variegated Meadowhawks can and do fly all year especially in the south and in coastal locations, but this was the high Mojave Desert. The temperature was almost 60, but the lows for the last week here have been: Dec 26 - 23 degrees Dec 27 - 20 degrees Dec 28 - 23 degrees Dec 29 - 27 degrees Dec 30 - 33 degrees Dec 31 - 28 degrees Jan 1 - 31 degrees Jan 2 - 23 degrees This Variegated Meadowhawk was seen at 1:47 PM at an altitude of 2,477 feet and at the following coordinates: Latitude:35º 32.9821' N Longitude:117º 42.8729' W ----- On a different subject, but one I hope will be of interest to some, I've always wondered how dragonflies got to be so big in the ancient fossil record. Here's a note from a fascinating book I'm reading by Nick Lane entitled, "Life Ascending, The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution:" "That is why oxygen levels have remained at around 21 percent for tens of millions of years. In deep geological time, though, on rare occasions, things were very different. Perhaps the most striking example is the Carboniferous period, 200 million years ago, when dragonflies as big as sea gulls flapped through the air and millipeded a metre long crawled the undergrowth. These giants owed their very existence to the exceptional rate of carbon burial in Carboniferous times, whose huge coal reserves give the era its name. As carbon was buried beneath the coal swamps, oxygen levels soared above 30 percent, giving some creatures an opportunity to grow far beyond their normal bounds of size—specifically, animals that rely on the passive diffusion of gases down tubes or across the skin, like dragonflies, rather than the active ventilation of lungs." David Blue Ridgecrest, CA Subject: San Diego County From: "Gary Suttle" <odonatophilia AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:30:07 -0000 January 2, 2010 Dos Picos County Park pond, 11:00-11:50, mostly clear, 64-69 degrees. Familiar Bluet 3 including wheel Common Green Darner 1F ovipositing Variegated Meadowhawk 2 Gary Suttle Poway,CA Subject: San Diego County From: "Gary Suttle" <odonatophilia AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:06:57 -0000 Lake Poway, 11:45-1:00, sunny, mild, light breezes, 63-70 degrees. Familiar Bluet 2 Bluet sp. several unidentified tenerals Pacific Forktail 1 Gary Suttle Poway, CA Subject: Re: San Diego Co and Riverside Co Odes From: ylightfoot AT aol.com Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:03:48 EST Hi folks: Interesting to see that the late December ode fauna for interior San Diego and Riverside counties is similar to that of Yuba County. On the Marysville Christmas Bird Count on Tuesday, December 22, I saw three Variegated Meadowhawks. Two were on the sunny, grassy side of the northern levee bordering the town, one of these seen at close range was a bright red adult male in good condition. The third was at a different location, in the riparian brush along the Yuba River on the south side of town. All were initially seen on the wing. The day was sunny but breezy and cool. Happy New Year! Tim Manolis Subject: Monterey County From: Don Roberson <creagrus AT montereybay.com> Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 16:43:16 -0800 12 Dec 2009 Carmel R. mouth (Odello area) with Rita Carratello, mostly birding for 1 hour Blue-eyed Darner 1 male Don Roberson Pacific Grove CA http://creagrus.home.montereybay.com/ Subject: San Diego Co and Riverside Co Odes From: "Peter Siminski" <dsiminski AT dc.rr.com> Date: Sun, 27 Dec 2009 15:39:45 -0800 December 26, 2009 San Diego County Peter Siminski Hellhole Canyon, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, 9:30-14:00, 50-60F, 60% altostratus, light air. Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1 December 19, 2009 Riverside County Peter Siminski Dos Palmas Oasis and Fish Ponds, Dos Palmas Preserve, Elev. -100'; 8:30-12:00, 60-75F, cirrus, gentle breeze N. Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 3 December 12, 2009 Riverside County Peter Siminski East Deception Canyon, Joshua Tree National Park, Elev. 1627': 8:40-12:50, 50-60F, 50% altostratus, light air. Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1