The Ravenous Pondhawk

In early October, I encountered this Erythemis simplicicollis, Eastern Pondhawk, with the prey that it had just captured. The Pondhawk was living up to its reputation as a "voracious predator" as it devoured  the female Rambur's Forktail.

Erythemsis simplicicollis with Ischnura ramburii

I was able to view this feast at quite a close range as the preoccupied dragon ignored my presence.

The very next day at the same wetlands, I came across another pondhawk. This time the Pondhawk had captured a female Needham's Skimmer that equaled it in size. This was fascinating for me to see, but unfortunately the duo disappeared into the reeds and I was unable to relocate them.

Erythemsis simplicicollis with a Libellula needhami

Hanging with a Prince (Epitheca princeps)

Back in August, I deviated from my early morning visits to the wetlands to take a walk just before sunset. As I scanned through the thick shrubs I found my first Prince Baskettail, Epitheca princeps. This species is uncommon locally in my coastal county.

This large Emerald species is found in the eastern half of the US. The season in Florida is noted to be March through December.

This species typically spends most of its time flying above ponds and marshes, patrolling for insects.

Adult Baskettails rest while hanging from twigs.

As the sun was setting, this Prince's day was done.

The Blue Dasher

The Pachydiplax longipennis, Blue Dasher, is a small skimmer (25-33 cm) with a large personality. They are common around the ponds and I even see them in my yard from time to time.

These smiling, little beauties don't mind the camera.

September and October yield large numbers of these dragons. All photos were taken over the past month, except the below photo.

taken in September, 2012

female Pachydiplax longipennis

The Mate of Gold

The male Libellula needhami, Needham's Skimmer, is a red-orange skimmer found predominantly in the coastal regions along the Atlantic shores of the US. It's found in Florida about 10 months out of the year.

The female lacks the red-orange coloration but in the right lighting conditions she appears to be plated with gold.

This week, my husband accompanied me to the local pond to try and capture some high speed video of a dragonfly. He was able to capture a few take offs and landings of this female Libellula needhami.

Dragonfly from Adventure Online TV on Vimeo.

Halloween Time

In the US, the month of October brings the popular holiday of "Halloween" where children don costumes and receive large amounts of candy. For me, October, as well as September, has brought many sighting of the Halloween Pennant, Celithemis eponina. This pennant has distinctively patterned wings.

Finding Forktails

The Rambur's  Forktail, Ischnura ramburii,  is one of the most widespread damselflies found around Florida. They are present all year near wetlands.

male Rambur's Forktail

blue Male-like female Rambur's Forktail

The females have multiple color forms, including blue and green male-like forms, an orange form, and an olive green form.

Orange-form female Rambur's Forktail

Over the past two months I've seen numerous mating pairs near the local pond I visit. This mating male was observed to have some a small amount parasites.

Tiny Dancers

The Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula, is one of several species of "dancers" found in the area. They acquire their title from their dance-like, up/down flight pattern.

The male dancer is blue and black while the paler female is olive and tan.

Dancers are known for their "wing-clapping" when approached. This Blue-ringed Dancer was clapping away.

Going Green!

The Eastern Pondhawk, Erythemis simplicicollis, is a prevalent, widespread species located throughout Florida. They are ferocious of insect predators and will capture prey matching their size. The females and immatures display the green coloration while mature males are blue with green eyes.