California's Year 2006 Dragonfly Sightings
 
 TWO New Dragonfly species added to California list! – now 111 species
See October 7-12 & October 21
 






 
 
Sightings are listed in order from MOST recently to LEAST recently seen! 
Please send your sightings, with date, county and location as displayed below to Kathy Biggs.
date (month/day/year) 
County (name of county where seen) 
your name 
place, etc. 
species common name &/or scientific name - #s & other data, comments 
species common name &/or scientific name- #s & other data, comments 
etc. 
See examples below 
THANKS!  






 
Key:
Species will be posted using either the Common Name or the Scientific Name, whichever the sender uses (inc. using both),
 but all first and last sightings of the year, county records, and new flight data will be posted using both names. 
To contact the person making the sighting, email Kathy Biggs.
COUNTY RECORDS are underlined and in red text 
OC=Odonata Central: http://odonatacentral.bfl.utexas.edu/records/US_new_records.asp report new county records here
*= first/last sighting of species of year in CA 
**= new flight data for species in CA
#= possibly a migratory event
 






 
As of the most recent date below
104 species (out of 111 known species) have been reported to this site as flying in CA in 2006.
54 new county records and TWO STATE RECORDS &/or upgrades to county records have been made this year
(this # includes upgrades of previous 'sighting only' records, newly accessed museum collections and new reports of prior year's data).
`Sighting only' records need further documentation, but please report them so we can try to get substantiation.
There may be some upgrades of previous `sighting only' records and new specimen records from recently
examined museum/private collections listed. If you find such a record,
please email it to Kathy Biggs <bigsnest@sonic.net>
County records should be substantiated with specimen (preferable) or photo and notes.
Report new county records to Odonata Central: http://odonatacentral.bfl.utexas.edu/records/US_new_records.asp for verification 
 






 
December 2006
 

December 31, 2006

Imperial County

Bob Miller

* Variegated Meadowhawks - two while walking the dunes! – last time reported in 2006

 

December 26, 2006

San Diego County

David Blue

Torrey Pines State Reserve, Yucca Point Trail, 0935, 64 degrees

Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)  1

 

December 5, 2006
Santa Clara County
John Hall, David Edwards
Monte Bello OSP
pond
* Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener  3  – last time reported in 2006               
* Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile  3  – last time reported in 2006                             
** * Arroyo Bluet Enallagma praevarum  1 (examined in hand)  – last time reported in 2006 & new late flight data               
* Pacific Forktail Ischnura cervula  1       – last time reported in 2006
** *Blue-eyed Darner  1  [new  late flight month; last report 2006 – kb]              
…
San Mateo County
John Hall, David Edwards
Skyline Ridge OSP
Horseshoe Lake
Pond Spreadwing, sp   1               
*Vivid Dancer Argia vivida 1  - last report 2006                
Paddle-tailed Darner Aeshna palmata 1 [would be a new flight month if documented, but there is a slight uncertainty, so everyone keep your eyes open ! – kb]   
 
 
December 2, 2006
Imperial County
Walking four to eight miles daily in the Imperial Sand Dunes here in eastern Imperial County.  
Have seen at least one every day and today there were four Variegated Meadowhawks.  
We are talking extreme last place you would think to look for dragons!
…….
Monterey County 
Don Roberson and Rita Carratello
Carmel River mouth
Blue-eyed Darner 5, incl. perched andro female (photo'd)
* Common Green Darner Anax junius 2 (tandem in flight) – last date reported 2006
Laguna Grande Park, Monterey County
Pacific Forktail  1 male
……..
Butte County
Bruce Deuel
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
It was sunny, but with a cold north wind.
4 Common Green Darners, and 
2 Variegated Meadowhawks 
 
December 1, 2006 
Alameda County
John Hall, David Edwards
Sunol Regional Wilderness
* American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana  7  – last time reported in 2006                
** California Spreadwing  2 (males) - new late date for CA & all SW    – last time reported in 2006        
* Great Spreadwing Archilestes grandis  1  (female)    – last time reported in 2006             
Vivid Dancer  8   (1 tandem pair, 1 teneral)                    
Variegated Meadowhawk   4             
** Cardinal Meadowhawk  1   - new late date for CA & all SW – last time reported in 2006                   
Considering the cold nights and days recently the number of species
seen was a surprise. It was pleasantly warm in the sunshine. Much of
Alameda Creek is in shadow this time of year.
 
 
November 2006
 

November 26, 2006

Imperial County

Bob Miller

West Pond, Imperial Recreational Area

* Rambur’s Forktail Ischnura ramburii  ~10 – last report 2006

mystery damsel  1

 

November 24-25, 2006

Imperial County 
Don Roberson and Rita Carratello
We did visit the highline canal at east end of Sinclair Road on 24 Nov, and recorded these species:
** *Blue-ringed Dancer Argia sedula  2 ovipositing pairs (photos) – new late flight data & last date 2006 (11/24)
Familiar Bluet 3 males (ph)
Common Green Darner  2
Variegated Meadowhawk  6 males (ph)
We had several 
* Wandering Gliders Pantala flavescens in open fields along Sinclair Road [last report 2006], and 3 
Roseate Skimmer (2 m, 1 f) [last report 2006] at the headquarters of Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR on 24 Nov., and a couple more 
Roseate Skimmers, plus more Variegated Meadowhawks, were near the Alamo River mouth on 25 Nov.
The weather was cool and blustery each morning, but on 24 Nov had warmed into the 80s (F) by afternoon. Nothing like the diversity in Phoenix, but still pleasant.

 

November 24, 2006

Santa Barbara County

David Blue

Santa Ynez Recreation Area

** California Spreadwing  1  (late record for California and SW) – last time reported in 2006

** California Dancer Argia agrioides 1  (late record for California and SW, collected), last date for CA in 2006

Vivid Dancer  1

 

November 23, 2006

Santa Barbara County

David Blue

Santa Ynez Recreation Area

California Spreadwing  2

California/Aztec Dancer  3

Variegated Meadowhawk  1

…

Shasta County

Ray Bruun
* Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa - male.  Missed tying the late date by five days. (last date reported in 2005)
 
November 22, 2006

San Diego County

Doug Aguillard
Black Canyon Road near a small duck pond about a mile west of Mesa Grande Road in eastern San Diego County
**Cardinal Meadowhawks – possibly the same two seen a few weeks ago –new late date by 2 days
 

November 19, 2006

Imperial County 

Bob Miller
Blue-eyed Darner – 1 flew by as he went out to see the Ross’s Gull.
Roseate Skimmers
 

November 18, 2006

Imperial County

David Blue

Imperial Wildlife Area Wister Unit

Variegated Meadowhawk  1

Roseate Skimmer  1 male

East Highline Canal (between McDonald and E Peterson Roads)

American Rubyspot  1

Familiar Bluet  30

Blue-ringed Dancer  20

Rambur's Forktail  1

Variegated Meadowhawk  1

Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge

Roseate Skimmer  1 male

Blue-ringed Dancer  4

Rambur's Forktail  1

Sunbeam Lake, El Centro

Familiar Bluet  4

Rambur's Forktail  12

 

November 17, 2006
San Diego County
David Blue
Mast Park
~unknown bluet  1 ...too far away to ID
Pacific Forktail  2
Common Green Darner  4
* Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor  1 – last confirmed report 2006
Variegated Meadowhawk  1
Santee Lakes
Pacific Forktail  1
Common Green Darner  3

 

November 12, 2006

San Diego County

David Blue

Mission Trails Regional Park

Vivid Dancer  3 

Lindo Lake

* Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis  5 – last report 2006

Common Green Darner  6

Variegated Meadowhawk  1

 
November 10, 2006
San Diego County
Doug Aguillard
Mesa Grande along Black Canyon Road at a wet drainage area next to an old duck pond
2 very bright male Cardinal Meadowhawks.
At Greenwood Cemetery in San Diego, I had one Blue-eyed Darner and one 
* Black Saddlebags (late-flight date record).

…….

Imperial County

David Blue

Checked the Imperial Dam area. Nothing unusual, but lots of odes flying.

Sunbeam Lake - A quick stop

Familar Bluet  1

Rambur's Forktail  15

Roseate Skimmer  1 male along inlet stream to the north

Imperial Dam area, West Pond and canals to east and south - Very windy

American Rubyspot  12

Familiar Bluet  6

Blue-ringed Dancer  10

Rambur's Forktail  50

Common Green Darner  1

Blue-eyed Darner  3

Red-tailed Pennant Brachymesia furcata  1 – last report 2006

Wandering Glider  2

Variegated Meadowhawk  2

 
November 5, 2006
San Luis Obispo County
Paul Johnson
Salinas River 1 mile SW Pozo
Clear, calm, 74F
American rubyspot - 20
CALIFORNIA SPREADWING Archilestes califoricum - 12 (positive ID on 8) Photo record  OC Record #7494 CA Chart #76
CALIFORNIA DANCER Argia agrioides  - 1 (collected, ID with microscope) OC Record #7495
California/Aztec dancer - 11
vivid dancer - 20
familiar bluet - 2 (tandem pair, male ID in hand)
arroyo bluet - 30 (5 ID in hand)
Pacific forktail - 3
black-fronted forktail - 1
* desert Firetail Telebasis salva – 4 – last date reported 2006
Walker's darner - 1 (patrolling male, probably this species) (would be last reported if documented)
…….

San Diego County

David Blue

Pine Valley

Blue-eyed Darner  1

Lindo Lake

Tule/Arroyo Bluet  3

Pacific Forktail  3

Common Green Darner  12

* Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis  1

 
November 4, 2006
Solano County
Kathy and Dave Biggs, Don Roberson and Rita Carratello
Cold Canyon, near Lake Berryessa's  Monticello Dam.
Our plan was to look for Great Spreadwings as Andy Rehn had collected a male at this site 
last month and the Sonoma County site has not been productive. The weather was very 'iffy'.
We arrived at noon and hiked the 2/3rds mile in to where there was actually flowing water. 
It wasn't until Dave and Don had walked another quarter mile up in the creek bed (and Don 
was quite immersed in this business!) That one was finally found. It posed nicely for Don and I'm 
sure he'll be posting a page about this.
Rita and I couldn't get down to where they were, so we decided to find our own. And we did, 
we found an ovipositing pair. For the half hour or so that the sun shone, we continued to see Archilestes species.
Our species list.
California Spreadwing - several males seen; one examined in hand, pictures taken
Great Spreadwing - several pairs and single males, photographed
Damsel sp. - seen by Dave, probably a Vivid Dancer. Nymph of  probably this species found in creek
* Walker's Darner Aeshna walkerii - one or two males seen a few times, looking for a mate
Shadow Darner - one  or two males seen a few times, looking for a mate
Meadowhawk - 1 seen early on, undoubtedly a drab Variegated
Also found: American Rubyspot nymph were fairly abundant in the creek.
Ladybugs were forming masses on plant stems.
Photos at http://montereybay.com/creagrus/odonates13.html
 
 
 
October 2006
 
October 30, 2006
Sonoma County
Kathy and Dave Biggs
Copeland Creek @ Lichau Rd.
We looked for Great Spreadwings.
We didn’t find any, or any other ode.
The weather was already changing (cooling) when we arrived.
We’re worried that the Jan. 1st flooding has destroyed this colony.
 
October 29, 2006
Santa Cruz County 
Paul G. Johnson
San Lorenzo River
(4 sites from Santa Cruz to Felton)
weather: cool, clear, calm
American rubyspot - 2 (m)
California spreadwing - 3
familiar bluet - 6
common green darner - 1
shadow darner - 2 (m,f)
meadowhawk sp. – 1
 
October 27, 2006
Alameda County
Doug Vaughan
Sunol Regional Wilderness - temperature was around 80 
… much of Alameda Creek was in shadows all afternoon 
American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) -- several males
California Spreadwing (Archilestes californica) -- 2 males, one collected
Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida) -- several, including two tandem pairs
Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- 1 or 2
Walker's Darner (Aeshna walkeri) -- 2 or 3 presumed this sp, one collected
meadowhawk sp (Sympetrum sp) -- 2
 
October 23, 2006
Yuba County
Edward Whisler
Vineyard Creek,
While conducting biological surveys on private land, I noticed many dragonflies and damselfies still flying.  The area is rocky blue oak 
woodland with an intermittent stream (Vineyard Creek) with a large pond.  The site is NE of Beal AFB, between two fragments of Spenceville 
State Wildlife Area.  I couldn't stop long to ID many of the dragons.
Variegated Meadowhawk- 30+
Blue-eyed Darner 1
damselflies-numerous
 
October 22, 2006
Santa Cruz County
William Hull (a visitor from Ohio)
Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz 
Bluet sp (30+) [They were everywhere along the small creek – given that I was in a small section 
of a fairly homogeneous habitat there must have been 100s of them in the area]
Common Green Darner (1)  
Monterrey County
Small pond on right side of Elkhorn Rd a little north of Kirby Park 
Bluet sp (5) 
Blue-eyed Darner (4-5) 
* Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata (1) - last report
Kirby Park
Blue-eyed Darner (2)
Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve - 
* Aeshna palmata (Paddle-tailed Darner) OC Record #7490 –last date reported 2006 
PHOTO RECORD CA Chart #29 (since he is out of state, using a shared # here)
Photos at http://montereybay.com/creagrus/Paddle-tailedDarner.html 
Mosaic darner sp (4-6) [These may all have been Paddle-tailed Darners 
but other than the one noted as such I could not confirm.  They were not Blue-eyed Darners.]
…….
Imperial County
Doug Aguillard
McKinley Road, near West Pond
*Plateau Dragonlet Erythrodiplax basifusca  - late date for CA ;-) 
 

October 21, 2006

Imperial County

David Blue

Sunbeam Lake - A quick stop

Blue-ringed Dancer  3

Familiar Bluet  1

Rambur's Forktail  12

Variegated Meadowhawk  1

Imperial Dam area, West Pond - Very windy

Blue-ringed Dancer  2

Rambur's Forktail  4

Common Green Darner  6

Blue-eyed Darner  4

* White-belted Ringtail Erpetogomphus compositus  1 – last date reported 2006

Red-tailed Pennant  1

Another new Dragonfly species added to California list:

*Plateau Dragonlet Erythrodiplax basifusca 1 (male photographed on McKinley Road near West Pond, N 32 52.942 W 114 28.985) – OC Record #7480

This will be the early date for CA for this species

* Mexican Amberwing Perithemis intensa  1 – last report

Wandering Glider  6

Black Saddlebags  2

…….

Monterrey County

Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Pleyto Cemetery arm of Lake San Antonio in south MTY
The lake level was very high and there were still many odes about, even if limited to a couple of species. 
Swarms of  * Tule Bluets Enallagma carunculatum  (last date reported 2006) were actively mating and ovipositing on the shoreline edge; ditto Pacific Forktail. 
And, remarkably, 3 males and a female California Spreadwing Archilestes californicus were present within a very small area. OC Record #7491 
PHOTO RECORD CA Chart #29
Photos are now at http://montereybay.com/creagrus/CalifSpreadwing.html
…….
San Mateo County 
William Hull (a visitor from Ohio)
Coyote Point 
Saw one smaller sized dragon from the car but could not find once out of the car 
Alpine Pond, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, San Mateo County 
Pacific Forktail (1m) 
California Spreadwing (7, including two pairs in tandem) 
California/Aztec Dancer (2m) 
Bluet sp (1m) 
Common Green Darner (1) 
Mosaic darner sp (3) 
* Striped Meadowhawk Sympetrum pallipes (4)  - last report
Horseshoe Lake, Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, San Mateo County 
Blue-eyed Darner (2) 
Mosaic darner sp (4)  [May be more Blue-eyeds but did not get good enough looks] 
Striped Meadowhawk (30+) [The ditch under the little bridge by the lake was full of
them] 
Variegated Meadowhawk (1 – seen just as I was going to give up on this species!)
 

October 20, 2006

Imperial County

Bob Miller
Imperial Valley and along the shores of the Salton Sea, roughly bounded by Niland, Calipatria and the Salton Sea.  
Noted the bugs along the way!  Had several near the Salton Sea that I suspect were "good" as in not being of the typical common ones seen elsewhere this day, 
but they were traveling and could not catch up to one.
In no particular order:
Familiar Bluet (2)
Blue-ringed Dancer (1)
* Desert Forktail Ischnura barberi (~15) – last repot 2006
Rambur's Forktail (~10)
Common Green Darner (~10)
Blue-eyed Darner (~10)
Roseate Skimmer (3)
* Red Saddlebags (1)  (Not Striped!!  :-(  - new late flight data by 4 days &  last repot 2006
Black Saddlebags (6)
Wandering Glider (~30)
…….
Siskiyou County 
Kathy and Dave Biggs
Our McCloud home’s pond’s first identifiable Ode:
Familiar Bluet – one male found floating on surface (it had been 29 that morning) and being eaten by a backswimmer!
…….
Contra Costa County
Chris Heaivilin 
Mt. Diablo, Pine Pond
California Spreadwing - a willow tree full of them 
http://gigan.kaijuisland.com/servlet/QueryOdonataDBServlet?command=queryDisplayGallery&common_name=CALIFORNIA+SPREADWING&family_name=Zygoptera&genus_name=Archilestes&species_name=californica&
 
October 15, 2006
Solano County 
Andy Rehn 
Cold Canyon 
* Great Spreadwing Archilestes grandis – 1 m collected  - last repot 2006
 
October 12, 2006
Imperial County 
Doug Aguillard
Imperial Dam Recreation Area, West Pond
Common Green Darner (12+)
Blue-eyed Darner
Black Saddlebags
*STRIPED SADDLEBAGS (2) – new late flight date ;-) 
Blue Dasher (3+)
Rambur's Forktail (3)
Holtville Hot Springs, Imperial County
Common Green Darner
Blue-eyed Darner
Roseate Skimmer
Blue Dasher
Western Pondhawk (3)
Variegated Meadowhawk (2)
Wandering Glider (20+), they were feeding on a Gnat swarm.
American Rubyspot (4)
Rambur's Forktail (10)
Sunbeam Lake, Imperial County (very windy)
Mexican Amberwing (2)
Blue-ringed Dancer (5)
Familiar Bluet (4)
Rambur's Forktail (7)
-------
Ed Lam
Red-tailed Pennant Brachymesia furcata

 

October 7-12

Imperial County
CA/SW Ode Blitz Team: Doug Aguillard & Pat, Kathy & Dave Biggs, Ray Bruun, Paul Johnson, Ed Lam, Bob Miller, Rod Miller 
New Dragonfly species added to California list!
*Striped Saddlebags, Tramea calverti, males and females seen and photographed at CA 2006 Ode Blitz (early flight date Oct. 7 
http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/striped_saddlebags.htm
North side of West Pond near Imperial Dam
N 32.52.739 W 114.28.648
1.             Common Green Darner 
2.             Blue-eyed Darner
3.             White-belted Ringtail
4.             *Russet-tipped Clubtail Stylurus plagiatus - new late flight data, seen on Oct 11 by Ed Lam
5.             Red-tailed Pennant Brachymesia furcata 
6.             **Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga Mendax – specimen record, tied old late date of Oct. 9 OC Record #7465
7.             Western Pondhawk
8.             **Marl Pennant Macrodiplax balteata – upgrade of prior photo record to specimen record- new late flight data of Oct 9 OC Record #7535
9.             Roseate Skimmer
10.          Blue Dasher 
11.          Flame Skimmer
12.          Wandering Glider
13.          Mexican Amberwing
14.          Variegated Meadowhawk
15.          Black Saddlebags
16.          *Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta 
*Striped Saddlebags, Tramea calverti - new Record for the state * early flight data 10/7) OC Record #7470
17.           
18.          American Rubyspot
19.          *Powdered Dancer Argia moesta
20.          Blue-ringed Dancer  
21.          **Double-striped Bluet Enallagma basidens – new late flight data of Oct. 8 (a whole month later!)
22.          Familiar Bluet
23.          **Citrine Forktail – new late flight data by one month & 3 days!
24.          Rambur’s Forktail


October 6, 2006
Riverside County
Kathy and Dave Biggs (en route to Blitz)
San Andres Oasis, Dos Palmas (4.6 miles from hwy 111, take Parkside Rd; 1:00-2:20; 83 degrees

Dave and I stopped at Dos Palmas, on the NE side of the Salton Sea onour way down. It was only

83 out when we arrived there at 1 pm, and there was a slight breeze, however we didn't have too much time to spare
(had car troubles en route) so only visited the palm oasis nearest the parking area. Our report:
Common Green Darner - several
Aeshna/Rhionaeschna sp.- a few
Red-tailed Pennant - 4 males, all young and not yet red
Western Pondhawk - 5 males and 2 females
**Comanche Skimmer Libellula comanche - 1 male - new late flight data
Flame Skimmer - 1 male
Roseate Skimmer - many
*Spot-winged Glider- one
Variegated Meadowhawk - many
Black Saddlebags - 1-3
California Dancer - one pair in hand ID

**Paiute Dancer  Argia alberta – many - new late flight data by 4 wks
Blue-ringed Dancer - many
Vivid Dancer - 1+
Bluet sp. - 1
Rambur's Forktail – some

Desert Forktail – one male

 
October 5, 2006
Imperial County
Paul Johnson and Ray Bruun (en route to Blitz)
Salt Creek? (Hwy 111, ~9 miles N Bombay Beach)
1600-1730
black-fronted forktail - 6
Rambur's forktail - 2
desert forktail - many
blue-ringed dancer - 1
variegated meadowhawk - 1
roseate skimmer - 1 (m)
blue-eyed darner - ~10 (1 ID in hand)
common green darner - 2
Salton Sea, Wister Unit, pond near north end of unit
~1750-1830
wandering glider - 1
red saddlebags - 1
black saddlebags - 1
roseate skimmer - 1 (f)
blue dasher - 2
blue-eyed darner - ~5
common green darner - 1
All American Canal, ~1 mile SW Senator Wash Rd.
1430-1745
American rubyspot - 5
powdered dancer - ~200
blue-ringed dancer - ~50
familiar bluet - 5
Rambur's forktail - 5
common green darner - 5
white-belted ringtail - 2
russet-tipped clubtail - 1-3
blue dasher - 1
black saddlebags - 5
variegated meadowhawk - 2
wandering glider - 1

 

October 1, 2006 

Shasta County
Ray Bruun
Nora Lake
I went to Nora Lake in hopes of photographing California Spreadwing in wheel. 
Didn't see any mating activity, though there were 15 to 20 California Spreadwings sighted. 
Also had 
small spreadwing (Spotted? - 1), 
Striped Meadowhawk (common), 
Shadow Darner (~10), and 
Wandering Glider (1). 
http://bruunphotography.com/noralk_100106.html 
 
 
September 2006
 

September 30, 2006 

Shasta County

Ray Bruun

Table Mountain, Lassen Park (6630 feet) at the northwest corner of Lassen Park.

There is a permanent pond at the top of the mountain. It's not very wide or deep this time of year but it has odes.

Striped meadowhawk

* White-faced meadowhawk Sympetrum obtrusum  - last report

* Western meadowhawk Sympetrum occidentalis – last report 2006

* Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta – last time reported in 2006

Spotted Spreadwing

* Northern Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus – last time reported in 2006

Pacific Forktail

Tule Bluet

http://bruunphotography.com/tablemtn_093006.html

…….

Colusa County

Kathy and Dave Biggs

Maxwell Rest Stop/I-5

Wandering Glider – 1

Black Saddlebags - 2

 

September 24 & 28, 2006
Siskiyou County

Kathy and Dave Biggs; Harry Conley

Mt. Shasta Forest, McCloud

We put in a pond on our property near the corner of Echo Way and Esperanza. It is not quite filled yet.

The very first day a darner of some type swooped down, dipped his legs in the water and then flew off.

What surprised us however, was a Bluet of some type flying in on the 3rd day of filling the pond, and making a short trip around the edge before it flew off.

This is a very dry area and the nearest water is a mile away!

 

September 25, 2006
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
Nora Lake 
Northern Spreadwing - about 20 individuals, two or three of which were female.  
Spotted Spreadwings - some males
Aeshna darners, presumably Shadow, males were pretty common. 
Vivid Dancers - a few immature, 
Striped Meadowhawks - about ten; most, if not all, were female. 
Variegated Meadowhawk - one female
Pix: http://bruunphotography.com/noralk_092506.html

September 24, 2006
San Luis Obispo County
Paul Johnson 
Lopez Lake, Wittenberg arm, where creek flows into lake.
0845-1300, 65-75F, calm to windy, clear
tule bluet -- ~12 (ID in hand)
familiar bluet -- ~6 (ID in hand)
vivid dancer -- 1
* Western forktail Ischnura perparva – 6 – last report 2006
Pacific forktail -- 8
desert firetail -- 4
common green darner -- ~12
mosaic darner -- ~8 (blue-eyed?)
cardinal meadowhawk -- ~6
variegated meadowhawk -- 2
striped meadowhawk -- 4 (photo, county record)
black saddlebags -- ~10
wandering glider -- 2
Upper Salinas River 1.5 km SW Pozo
1500-1630, clear, windy, 77F
American rubyspot -- 7
vivid dancer -- 4
Aeshna walkeri (Walker's Darner) -- 3-5 (2 ID in hand) PHOTO RECORD CA chart #76; OC Record #7401 
Sympetrum pallipes (Striped Meadowhawk)   PHOTO RECORD   CA CHART # 76; OC Record #7400
--------
Monterey County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Carmel River mouth
Black Saddlebags - http://montereybay.com/creagrus/BlackSaddlebags.html
 
September 23, 2006
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne 
I finally got to spend a day at home and enjoy the first day of fall watching the ode 
activity around the backyard pond. Here is what I saw today.
California Spreadwings - a couple of males and one pair in wheel that ended up
ovipositing on the emergent veg scattered about the pond.The female is quite flexible, 
bending the abdomen at the end of the second segment 
and placing her ovipositor between her legs to "drill" the plant stalks. Quite fun to watch 
with close focus binos.
Striped Meadowhawk - one male perched on veg around the pond. A pair in wheel 
flying about the lawn. I didn't observe them ovipositing today, but have seen Striped 
Meadowhawks oviposit on the grass in the past.
Paddle-Tailed Darner - several males sparring for "airspace". One returned and 
patrolled most of the afternoon. One female was observed ovipositing on emergent 
plants and scoping out other suitable sites. She even 
landed on my arm and probed my forearm with her ovipositor! I did a bit of pond
maintenance and discovered a wee little dragonfly
nymph. I'm guessing either a Cardinal Meadowhawk or Flame Skimmer, based on who I
have seen ovipositing this summer.
…….
San Luis Obispo County
Paul Johnson 
Upper Lopez Creek at its confluence with Big Falls Creek.
Late afternoon, clear, calm, mostly shaded
American rubyspot -- 2
Blue-eyed darner -- 1 (female, photo))
Aeshna walkeri (Walker's Darner) -- 3-5 (ID in hand) PHOTO RECORD CA Chart #76 OC Record #7399
 
September 21, 2006
Mono County
Kathy and Dave Biggs
DeChambeau Pond north of Mono Lake
11:00-12:00;  62 degree temp.
Aeshna sp. – a few
Striped Meadowhawk - many
Variegated Meadowhawk - some
Boreal Bluet – 1 m, in hand ID
Black-fronted Forktail – 1 teneral male, 1 mature female
Northern Spreadwing – a few
Spotted Spreadwing – 1-2 males on vegetation near ponds
Fales Hot Springs Creek Highway 108
1:45 – 2:00 pm 70 degrees
* River Bluet Enallagma anna – 6+ males – last time reported in 2006
…….
Alpine County
Mosquito Lakes
Variable Darner – 1 male in hand ID
Aeshna sp – 2 others
White-faced Meadowhawk – 4+ males
Lestes Spreadwing sp. – 1 male, probably Spotted
…….
Santa Clara County
John Sterling
Steven's Creek
* San Francisco Forktail Ischnura gemina – male photo taken – last date reported 2006
 
September 20, 2006
Mono County
Kathy and Dave Biggs; Barbara Oriti
Hot Creek (WONDERFUL PLACE WITH MANY GEYERS!)
Vivid Dancer – 1 teneral female
Bluet – 1 female
Flame Skimmer – I m
Meadowhawk sp. – 2-3
Twin Lakes @ Mammoth
Bluet sp.
Paddletail &/or Shadow Darner – watched one male repeatedly try to pull an ovipositing female off a wet log. 5-6 males and females seen.
 
September 19, 2006
Inyo County
Kathy and Dave Biggs; Ron and Barbara Oriti
Farmer Pond near Hwy 6
Familiar Bluet
Aeshna sp.  
Common Green Darner
Variegated Meadowhawk Black Saddlebags (Dave caught it with his fingers – it must have been sleeping!)
Warm Springs Artisan Well
Pacific Forktail
Possibly a Black-fronted Forktail
Paddle-tailed Darner – probably this species
Variegated Meadowhawk
Fish Slough
Spreadwing sp.
Aeshna Sp.
Common Green Darner
Variegated Meadowhawk (Ron caught it with his fingers – maybe things are old and tired!)
Striped Meadowhawk
Black Saddlebags
-------
Monterey County 
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello (creagrus@montereybay.com)
Laguna Grande Park, Seaside

** * Libellula pulchella (Twelve-spotted Skimmer) PHOTO RECORD CA CHART # 29 OC Record #7386 – last report 2006 & new late flight data by a month!

 
September 18, 2006
Mono County
Kathy and Dave Biggs
Siesta Lake, 8000 ft, 61 degrees 11:30-11:45
Northern Spreadwing - ~2 dozen
** Western Red Damsel Amphiagrion abbreviatum  – 1 male – last time reported in 2006, new late flight data by 6 days
Aeshna sp. (Variable?) - ~10
* Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis  – 1 – last report
Dana Pond ~9500 ft. 63 degrees, 1:15-1:35
Striped Meadowhawk – 2 pairs in cop
Aeshna sp. – 2 m
 
September 17, 2006
Monterey County
Paul Johnson
Piney Creek to 3/4 mile below bridge on Arroyo Seco Rd.
1315-1700, calm, clear, 82F
American rubyspot -- ~8
vivid dancer -- ~25
arroyo bluet -- 1 (male)(examined in hand)
Walker's darner -- 3-4 (males)(examined 1 in hand)
* Pacific spiketail -- 2-3 (males) last report
…….
Shasta County
Ray and Steven Bruun
Reflection Lake 
There was a lot of odonate activity, mostly 
* Saffron-winged Meadowhawks Sympetrum costiferum   [last date reported]
and Paddle-tailed & Variable darners.  Steven found me a couple of ovipositing female 
darners which I was able to photograph and (hopefully) identify.
Pix: http://bruunphotography.com/reflectionlk_091706.html
…….
Mariposa County
Kathy and Dave Biggs
Yosemite Valley Floor
Striped Meadowhawk – many, mostly females seen in the meadows  
…….
Santa Barbara County
Adam Lewis
His yard in Goleta
* red rock skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes  – 1 male photographed, last report 
 
September 16, 2006
Inyo County 
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello 
Amargosa River at Tecopa plus a new pond complex in Tecopa town under construction (a small
park near the post office). At the Amargosa River, we did not go too far from the highway crossing. 
It was rather cool for the desert (maybe 78-80F) and windy. Time: 1200-1320
California Dancer 3 (photo review of tori)
Calif/Aztec Dancer 6
Familiar Bluet 70 (all photos review'd to date are this sp)
Desert Forktail 35
Common Green Darner 1 m
Blue-eyed Darner 4
White-belted Ringtail 1 (photo'd)
Flame Skimmer 1
Variegated Meadowhawk 20, inc. tandem ovipositing in the 'park'
glider, sp  1
…….
Shasta County 
Ray Bruun 
Lake McCumber and environs.
Glider sp. (Wandering?) - several
Variegated Meadowhawk - 1 young female
Western Meadowhawk - several males
Striped Meadowhawk - abundant
Meadowhawk sp. -  1 (probably White-faced)
Common Green Darner - common
Aeshna sp. - 2
Spreadwing sp. - 2 (probably Spotted)
Tule Bluet - at least two males IDed plus several other males and some 
females that were probably also Tule
Pacific Forktail - several females
Pix at: http://bruunphotography.com/lkmccumber_091606.html
…….
Mariposa County
Kathy and Dave Biggs
Hwy 120 @ temporary bridge across Merced River
# Common Green Darner - 15 counted in 10 minute stop there, and every one of them was heading UPSTREAM on the  Merced River!!
 
September 15, 2006
Alpine County
John Hall, David Edwards 
Indian Creek Reservoir and adjacent Stevens Lake (elev. 5,600')
Sunny, windy and cool
Tule Bluet 15   (1 in-hand)                       
Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile -  2  (new county record- specimen) chart #81  OC# Record #7369
Bluet, sp  2                           
Pacific Forktail  5                   
Western Forktail  5                   
Mosaic Darner,sp  4                   
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk  1          
White-faced Meadowhawk 2              
Striped Meadowhawk  16      
……..
Contra Costa County
Doug Vaughan
Pt. Pinole Regional Shoreline
Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens (new county record- SIGHITNG ONLY) chart #40       
 
 
September 14, 2006
Alpine County
John Hall, David Edwards
Curtz Lake (elev. 6, 300'?)
Very windy but mostly sunny conditions, cool)
Spotted Spreadwing  5                 
Mosaic Darner,sp  10                   
Blue-eyed Darner  1                   
Blue Dasher  1  (new county record-sighting only) White-faced
Meadowhawk  1             
Striped Meadowhawk  80                 
Heenan Lake (elev. 7,083')
Cloudy and windy, quite cool
Boreal Bluet  12                        
Striped Meadowhawk  2     
 
September 13, 2006
El Dorado County
John Hall, David Edwards
Grass Lake (elev.7,715')
Mostly cloudy conditions
Northern Spreadwing  2                
Mosaic Darner,sp  5                   
* Black Meadowhawk Sympetrum danae  1500    - last report               
White-faced Meadowhawk  50             
...
Alpine County
Hope Valley (intersection Hwy 88/Blue Lakes Road, elev. 7,130')
Mostly sunny and warm
Spotted Spreadwing  10                 
Northern Spreadwing   30               
Variegated Meadowhawk  1              
Black Meadowhawk   4                  
White-faced Meadowhawk  80             
Striped Meadowhawk  15                 
Western Meadowhawk  20   
…….
Butte County
Tim Manolis
De Sabla Reservoir
*  * Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) - a couple of males (one immature, one mature)  ONLY SIGHTING 2006
 
September 11, 2006
Fresno County
Paul Johnson
Arroyo Leona and Cantua Creek
1045-1915, 86-91F, clear, breezy
American rubyspot -- ~100+
California spreadwing -- 5
California dancer -- 1 (examined in hand)
CA/aztec dancer -- ~80+
* lavendar dancer – 7 – last time reported in 2006
* sooty dancer -- ~30 – last time reported in 2006
vivid dancer - ~100+
tule bluet -- 2 (examined in hand)
familiar bluet -- ~12 (examined in hand)  
* northern bluet -- 4 (examined in hand) – last time reported in 2006
black-fronted forktail -- ~50+
desert firetail -- ~10
comm. green darner -- ~5
* giant darner Anax walsinghami -- 1 PHOTO RECORD CA CHART # 76 OC Record #7370 – also last date reported 2006
blue-eyed darner -- 2 (probably - habitat)
Walker's darner -- 1 (ID by habitat/behavior)
variegated meadowhawk -- ~20
flame skimmer -- ~4
red rock skimmer -- ~12
pale-faced clubskimmer -- 2
black saddlebags -- 3
wandering glider -- ~10
spot-winged glider – 1
…….
Santa Barbara County
Adam Lewis
His Goleta backyard
Great Spreadwing – 1 male
 
September 10, 2006
San Benito County
Steve Rovell and RJ Adams
San Felipe Lake in northern San Benito County  
Only odes to speak of were all common, and several of each were seen:
Common Green Darner
Blue-eyed Darner
Black Saddlebags
Variegated Meadowhawk
There were no damsels whatsoever, although we didn't check most of the lake.
……
Santa Clara County
Paul Johnson
Lake Ranch Rsvr., Sanborn County Park
1300-1430, calm, clear, ~80F
bluet sp. -- 1
vivid dancer -- 2
Lestes spreadwing sp. -- 1
Pacific forktail -- ~50
desert firetail -- 3
mosaic darner -- ~25
common green darner -- ~5
Pacific spiketail -- 1-3
cardinal meadowhawk -- 2
striped meadowhawk -- ~20
flame skimmer -- 2
black saddlebags -- ~2
Western pondhawk -- ~5
blue dasher -- ~10
 
September 9, 2006
Monterey County
Don Roberson &/or Rita Carratello
The Indians area of Los Padres National Forest 
This can only be reached via Ft. Hunter-Liggett. The latter is now a very tight military base with tanks and cannons parked 
throughout the oak savanna. I had hoped for a bit of freedom on reaching to National Forest, but as soon as I crossed the border in 
felt like being under attack. KABOOM! KABOOM!  Everywhere I stopped KABOOM. I stopped a forest service maintenance guy: "Today's the start 
of squirrel hunting season," he says. "This is public land and they're just varmints." I'm pretty sure he was talking about the squirrels, but 
I thought the real varmints were the hunters. BOOM, KA-BOOM everywhere. Very unsettling.
North Fork, San Antonio River  noon-2 pm, 85 degrees F, calm
California Dancer 15 (i.d. on photos)
* Emma's Dancer Argia emma 10 – last time reported in 2006, new late flight data by 9 days
Sooty Dancer 25
Vivid Dancer 25
Western Forktail 1 m
Common Green Darner 3
Walker's Darner 2
Flame Skimmer 2
Red Rock Skimmer 2
I spent at least an hour trying to photograph the Walker's Darner, a new species for me, and have some okay but not great flight pics that 
will be posted eventually. Paul Johnson had explained its behavior to me, and this really helped in finding it. Unlike other darners that 
cruise over and patrol ponds and streams, Walker's pokes along the edges, checking every nook and cranny for females, again and again.
I spent another hour or so along a small spring-fed rivulet through oak savanna along the trail to Wagon Caves. This is a small tributary of 
Rattlesnake Creek, I think, that I'll call
"Wagon Cave Creeklet" 2-3:30 pm, 80 degrees F, calm
Vivid Dancer 10
Calif Dancer 3
Tule Bluet 4
Northern Bluet 2 (one captured and i.d.'d in hand with lens)
Walker's Darner 1
Pacific Spiketail 1 or 2 males
Flame Skimmer 1
Cardinal Meadowhawk 3
Striped Meadowhawk 1
Most shocking, the one or two male Spiketails landed! They were several hundred yards apart, but could be the same one, I suppose, but they 
landed right next to me for photos.  For both of you that have looked at my other web pages on Odonata, you may recall a recent page with 
pics of a very unexpectly perched female.  To this I now add a page with pics of unexpectly perched males. It is at
http://montereybay.com/creagrus/PacSpiketail2.html
…….
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
Baum/Crystal Lakes and Shingletown Meadow
Went out to photograph today; not much flying.  
One Libellula skimmer (12-spot?) and a couple of Striped Meadowhawks, several darners of three types (Common Green actually lots of these—
Blue-eyed, and Aeshna sp.), and a few species of damsel (Tule Bluet, Pacific Forktail, Western Forktail).
Pix up at: 
http://bruunphotography.com/shastacounty_090906.html
…….
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne, Kathy & Dave Biggs; many observers
Klamath River @ Happy Camp & nearby pond
Northern Bluets - netted and shown to curious folks
Emma's Dancer - netted and shown to more curious folks
Striped Meadowhawk - flying about the park lawn, also netted
Aeshna sp.- a few were flying over the pond but too far away for id. 
One patrolled a few feet from our dragons and damsels display all afternoon.
 
September 8, 2006
Alameda County
John Hall, David Edwards
Sunol Regional Wilderness
Alameda Creek
10:45 - 15:45
23 species
American Rubyspot 15                   
California Dancer  40                  
Emma's Dancer  8                      
Sooty Dancer  180                       
Vivid Dancer  100                       
Tule Bluet  1                         
Familiar Bluet  1                     
Bluet,sp   5                          
Northern Bluet  28                     
Arroyo Bluet   2                      
Pacific Forktail  4                   
Western Forktail  6                   
*Exclamation Damsel  1 male (new late date)                 
Walker's Darner  2                    
Mosaic Darner,sp   20                  
Common Green Darner  13                
Blue-eyed Darner  3                   
Western Pondhawk   2                  
Flame Skimmer   5                     
Blue Dasher   4                       
Red Rock Skimmer 2                    
Variegated Meadowhawk  13              
Cardinal Meadowhawk  4                
Striped Meadowhawk  3                 
Black Saddlebags  3       
 
September 4, 2006
Fresno County
Paul G. Johnson
Arroyo Leona and Cantua Creek (W of Hwy 5)
1230-1630, ~95F, clear, slight breeze
American rubyspot - ~30
CA spreadwing - 2
CA dancer - ~10
Calif/Aztec Dancers - ~300
sooty dancer - ~70
Emma's dancer - ~30
lavender dancer Argia hinei - ~8 –new county record – PHOTO CA chart#76; OC Record #7346
Vivid Dancer - ~12
bluet sp. - 1?
mosaic darner - 1
common green darner - 2
pale face clubskimmer - 1
flame skimmer - ~6
red rock skimmer - ~15
variegated meadowhawk - ~4
black saddlebags - 1
wandering glider – 1
A fanciful web page on the Lavender Hill Man is now up at
http://montereybay.com/creagrus/LavenderDancer.html
…….
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
I went to Nora Lake in search of California Spreadwing which have 
been easy to find there in the past.  I didn't seen any at all.  The 
lake was very high which may be influencing the number of odes; there 
were very few flying.  I managed to photograph some in the woods near 
the lake.
Northern/Boreal Bluet – male
Twelve-spotted Skimmer – female
Variegated Meadowhawk - male
Pix: http://bruunphotography.com/noragrace_090406.html
 
September 3, 2006
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
Reflection Lake 
Saffron-winged Meadowhawks – many, pairs
White-faced Meadowhawk -  male
Paddle-tailed darners
Western Forktail, male
Pix: http://bruunphotography.com/reflectionlk_090306.html
…….
Monterey County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
A wander through Garrapata State Park, Monterey County, produced an 
unexpected spiked cocktail. Conversation over cocktails, enhanded with 
photos, is at
http://montereybay.com/creagrus/PacSpiketail.html
Pacific Spiketail – 1 young female
Vivid Dancers
Gliders
Black Saddlebags
 
September 1, 2006
Alameda County
John Hall, David Edwards 
Anthony Chabot Regional Park
We tried Chabot for the second time after finding Sunol closed.
We parked at the Proctor Staging area just south of the Golf Course on Redwood Road.
It is a fairly long hilly walk to get to the lake area (Honker Bay).
There is also a pond (enclosed by a high fence) at the golf course that we checked out. 
Spotted Spreadwing  1                 
California Dancer  1                  
Vivid Dancer  10                       
California/Aztec Dancer  8            
Tule Bluet  4                         
Familiar Bluet  1                     
Bluet,sp 2                            
Arroyo Bluet  1                       
Pacific Forktail   5                  
Mosaic Darner,sp  35                   
Common Green Darner  5                
Blue-eyed Darner  10                   
* Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa  2   - last report                   
Flame Skimmer  20                      
Blue Dasher  5                        
Striped Meadowhawk  2                 
Black Saddlebags  15        
…….
San Mateo County
Karen DeMello 
Sausal Pond at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve near Portola Valle
There was abundant ode activity, but not much diversity in species:
Common Green Darners (many pairs in tandem ovipositing)
Black Saddlebags (several pairs in tandem flying all over the place)
Flame Skimmers galore
Blue Dashers
…….
Sonoma County
Kathy and Dave Biggs; Gloria & Harry Conley 
Bigsnest Wildlife Pond
Western Forktail – a few
Blue-eyed Darner – constant activity, males chasing each other
Shadow Darner – a few, a female ovipositing
Cardinal Meadowhawk – one pair, ovipositing
 
 
August 2006

 

 
August 28, 2006
Contra Costa County
Doug Vaughan & Doris Kresmere 
We made what will likely be the season's last visit to the Maricich and Sindicich Lagoons at 
Briones yesterday. Diversity and numbers were down, but bluets were finally present in good numbers; 
they have been scarce much of the summer. Also notable was the complete absence of species that were 
the most conspicuous at Sunol's ponds three days earlier -- Flame Skimmer, Widow Skimmer, Com. Whitetail, 
Blue Dasher -- despite broadly similar habitats. Nor did we see any gliders (which, incidentally, we saw swarming overhead at the free 
SF Shakespeare performance Sunday afternoon at Oakland's Lake Merritt).
Here's the list:
Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener)
N. Spreadwing (L. disjunctus)
Tule/Arroyo Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum/praevarum) -- fairly common
Familiar Bluet (E. civile) -- 2 in hand, among few "mostly blue" bluets
Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula)
W. Forktail (I. perparva)
Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva) -- 1 or 2 males
Com. Green Darner (Anax junius)
Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor)
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) -- the "common" meadowhawk on this visit
Cardinal Meadowhawk (S. illotum) -- only 1 or 2
Striped Meadowhawk (S. pallipes) -- 1 male
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
 
August 27, 2006
Sacramento County
Dave and Kathy Biggs
American River, Sacramento
We drove to Sacramento today (~2 hrs) to escape the fog here in Sebastopol, and Tim Manolis helped us find our first Calif. lifer in many a year: the 
* Olive Clubtail (last report 2006). 
We found it near his home, along the American River. There were tons of 
Wandering Gliders about, quite a few 
Variegated Meadowhawks, some 
Widow Skimmers (many young males), 
* Common Whitetails, - last report
Black Saddlebags, 
Flame Skimmers, and a lone 
Blue Dasher was seen, along with 
Familiar Bluets and
a lone 
Vivid Dancer.
…….
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
I took my first trip to Carnaz Lake (Shasta County).
Pictures at: http://bruunphotography.com/carnazlk_082706.html
[13 species]
Saffron-winged Meadowhawk - ~dozen
White-faced Meadowhawk - several
Western Meadowhawk - ~10
Striped Meadowhawk - many
Aeshna spec. - several
Common Green Darner - several
Blue-eyed Darner - 1
Spotted Spreadwing - many
Northern Spreadwing - many
Tule Bluet - one confirmed, several bluets seen
Familiar Bluet - one confirmed, several bluets seen
Pacific Forktail - one immature female
Western Forktail - 20-30
 
August 26/27, 2006
Monterey County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Arroyo Seco River
We went in search of Giant Darner Anax walsinghami, with some success. CA CHART #29; OC Record #7303
Story and photos at  http://montereybay.com/creagrus/odonates08.html
[upgrade to photo record from prior sighting only record – kb]
American Rubyspots
Emma’s Dancers
Sooty Dancers
 
August 26, 2006
San Diego County
Doug Aguillard
Went chasing a Piping Plover (a rare bird) at the south end of the Salton Sea, and then started to hunt for Odes. Besides the usual suspects of Mexican Amberwings,
White-belted Ringtails, Roseate Skimmers, Western Pondhawks, and Blue Dashers, I also refound Paul Johnson's Double-striped Bluet(s) at Sunbeam Lake in 
Seeley. This an incredible find, and I missed them the last time I went looking after Paul initial sighting. There was also many Blue-ringed Dancers, Familiar Bluets, 
and Desert Forktails at Sunbeam. Pictures of the Double-stripped Bluets are at http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/double1.htm
 
August 25, 2006
Alameda County
Doug Vaughan 
Sunol Regn Wilderness
I spent some time at Sunol Regional Wilderness, this afternoon, first along a short stretch of Alameda Creek near 
the Camp Ohlone Road bridge, then, with "guide services" and transportation generously provided by staff naturalist Katie Colbert, 
at several ponds. Most of the ponds we visited looked rather barren, with little or no emergent vegetation at the fringes and showing 
evidence of heavy cattle use, but a couple had a good deal of aquatic vegetation or algae, and numbers of anisopterans were much higher than 
along the creek. In any event, the ponds offered a glimpse of very different habitat from the lush riparian habitat of Alameda Creek.
Along Alameda Creek:
Am. Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) -- abundant
Calif. Dancer (Argia agrioides) -- few seen, 1 in hand
Emma's Dancer (A. emma)
Sooty Dancer (A. lugens) -- abundant
Vivid Dancer (A. vivida) -- abundant
bluets sp. (Enallagma sp.) -- scarce
mosaic darner (Aeshna sp.) -- 1 or 2 along the creek; appeared  not be be Blue-eyed Darners
At the ponds:
Vivid Dancer
Tule/Arroyo bluets (Enallagma carunculatum/praevarum) -- fairly numerous at one pond
Familiar Bluet (E. civile) -- 1 in hand; "mostly blue" bluets relatively scarce
W. Forktail (Ischnura perparva)
Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva) -- only 1, apparently a victim of predation, as photographs show a couple of terminal segments missing; 
no specimen of this species for Alameda County
Com. Green Darner (Anax junius)
meadowhawk sp. (Sympetrum sp.)
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
Com. Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)
Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) -- only 1; still no specimen for Alameda County
Flame Skimmer (L. saturata) -- the most numerous anisopteran
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
…….
San Benito County
Paul Johnson
Laguna Creek, approximately 2 miles upstream of Coalinga Road.
1300-1800
blue damsels - ~12
lavender dancer - 5 (3m, 1 mating pair)(I only positively identified the pair, so there is a
possibility that the others may have been Emma's dancer, which I have not seen here before.)
*Walker's darner Aeshna walkeri - ~17 (2f, ~15m)(I did not catch any
of these for positive ID, but their behavior is distinctive)
blue-eyed darner - ??
flame skimmer - 5
 
August 24, 2006
Alameda County
John Hall, David Edwards
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area
* Black Spreadwing Lestes stultus 1   – – last time reported in 2006    
California Dancer  70                  
Tule Bluet  2                         
Familiar Bluet  3                     
Bluet,sp   8                          
Arroyo Bluet  2                       
Pacific Forktail  6                   
Mosaic Darner,sp   70                  
Common Green Darner  20                
Blue-eyed Darner  50                   
Western Pondhawk   3                  
Widow Skimmer   4                     
Flame Skimmer  60                      
Blue Dasher  12                        
Variegated Meadowhawk    21            
Cardinal Meadowhawk   1               
Black Saddlebags   35         
 
August 23/24 2006
Inyo County
Rick and Marcy Clements
My wife and looked for odes along Hwy. 395 in Inyo Co. 
Stops were briefer than desired due to very hot temps.
Dirty Socks Spring
 Flame skimmer common
 Common green darner common
 Blue-eyed darner common
 * Desert whitetail Libellula subornata  only one female - last report
 Paiute dancer common
 Desert forktail common
Diaz Lake, ephemeral ponds along south entrance road
 Flame skimmer common
 Common green darner few
 Blue-eyed darner
 * Hoary skimmer 2 - last report
 Desert whitetail 2 males
 Paiute dancer few
 Black-fronted forktail few
 Eight spotted skimmer 1 male
Mazourka Springs and Billy Lake
 * Aztec dancer Argia nahuana few – last report that is definitely this species 2006
 Western pondhawk
 Paiute dance common
 Blue dasher abundant
 Blue-eyed darner common
 Flame skimmer common
 Black saddlebags abundant at Billy L.
 Vivid dancer common
Mc Nally Canal northeast of Bishop very low water
 Vivid dancer few
 Northern bluet common
 Flame skimmer common
 Blue dasher common
 Blue-eyed darner common
 Paddle-tailed darner male and a female in hand
 Western meadowhawk very few compared with 100s month ago
Nik/Nik ponds and Fish Slough north of Bishop
 Black saddlebags abundant
 Variegated meadowhawk abundant
 Blue-eyed darner common
 Vivid dancer common
 Familiar bluet few
 Black-fronted forktail 1
 Disappointed at no striped meadowhawk
 
August 22, 2006
Humboldt County
Daryl Coldren 
Arcata Marsh 
Pacific Forktail-- numerous
Familiar Bluet-- one netted
Bluet spp -- several
Common Green Darner-- several
Blue-eyed Darner-- one netted, many flying
Paddle-tailed Darner-- one seen only
Black Saddlebags--  2
Cardinal Meadowhawk-- 2 pairs, 1 pair netted
Variegated Meadowhawk--, 8-10, 2 netted
 
August 19, 2006
Shasta County
Ray Bruun
Summit Lake, Lassen Park
Made a family trip  there this afternoon.  Poor weather for odes (lots of wind and little sun).
Pix - http://bruunphotography.com/summitlk_081906.html
8 species:
White-faced Meadowhawk - 1 teneral male
Striped Meadowhawk - several adults
* Ringed Emerald Somatochlora albicincta  - several adults in flight – last report
Variable Darner - several males in flight (many others possible)
Aeshna sp. not Variable - several, probably Paddle-tailed, Shadow, or both
*Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryas – several – last date reported in 2006
Northern Spreadwing - common
Boreal Bluet (assumed) – common
 
 
August 18/19, 2006
Mono County
Karen DeMello 
Yosemite:
A Mosaic Darner at Siesta Lake (Hwy 120) & at Yosemite Creek
An Emerald flew by at Yosemite Creek (American? Mountain? It flew by too quickly to tell)
A possible Striped Meadowhawk at Tuolumne Meadows
A beautiful Emerald Spreadwing at Tuolumne Meadows (this was the highlight of the day!)
DeChambeau Pond north of Mono Lake:
Western Pondhawk (females on far side, males by pond)
Flame Skimmer
Eight-spotted Skimmer
Mosaic Darner sp.
Black Saddlebags
Western Forktail
Desert Forktail
Looked for the Bleached Skimmer that Paul Johnson reported at the end of July 
(watched the hot spring for an hour), but no luck.
 
August 18, 2006
Santa Barbara County
David Blue
Santa Ynez River
Lavender Dancer
…….
Contra Costa County
John Hall, David Edwards
Mount Diablo State Park
Mitchell Canyon
Vivid Dancer 15
Walker's Darner 3
Mosaic Darner,sp 30
Common Green Darner 7
Blue-eyed Darner 2
Pacific Spiketail 1
Flame Skimmer 9
Red Rock Skimmer 1
Spot-winged Glider 1
Common Whitetail 1
Striped Meadowhawk 1

 

August 17, 2006
Colusa County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Bear Creek just upstream of Hwy 20 X Hwy 16
4-5 pm – we walked the creek for ~1/4 mile
Hetaerina americana -- American rubyspot - many
CA/Aztec dancer - ~~dozen
Argia lugens -- Sooty dancer – one male, one female
Northern/Boreal Bluet - abundant
Tule/Arroyo Bluet - some
Anax junius -- Common green darner – 3-4
Anax walsinghami -- Giant darner - 3 males patrolling, 1 female ovipositing
Rhionaeschna multicolor -- Blue-eyed darner – 3-4 males patrolling, 1 female ovipositing
Erpetogomphus compositus -- White-belted ringtail – 6, 1 with very yellow rings
* Macromia magnifica -- Western river cruiser – 1-2 – last report
Sympetrum corruptum -- Variegated meadowhawk - 3
Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western pondhawk – 1-2 males
Libellula saturata -- Flame skimmer - abundant
Libellula luctuosa -- Widow skimmer – 2-3

Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags – many

 
August 16, 2006
Sutter County
Don Roberson & & Rita Carratello
0630-0845
Bobelaine Audubon Sanctuary - on the Feather River on Central Valley floor
early a.m. visit for birds, but these odes (many flushed from night roosts):
C. Green Darner 6, including a female at night roost
Wandering Glider ~100
 
August 15, 2006
Nevada County
Don Roberson & & Rita Carratello
"Glacier Meadow Lake" on Glacier Meadow loop trail, at start of
Pacific Crest Trail, 1/4 mi. east of parking area for Pacific Crest
Trail at Boreal Ridge exit, Donner Summit 
7200' elev.; 15530-1700 
Northern Spreadwing 15 [in dried up grassy marsh at parking lot]
Pacific Forktail 1 male (ph)
mosaic darner 10, definitely not Blue-eyed
Variable Darner 1 [male photo'd in flight]

 

August 14, 2006
Siskiyou County
Ray Bruun, Dave and Kathy Biggs 
Gumboot Lake and vicinity
We had 15 species flying.  The most interesting thing was finding Northern Spreadwing pairs ovipositing under water.  
Some pictures of that can be seen on my web site (Part 1 of 2).  Here are the links and the list.
Part 1 - http://bruunphotography.com/gumbootlk1_081406.html
Part 2 - http://bruunphotography.com/gumbootlk2_081406.html
* Crimson-ringed Whiteface Leucorrhinia glacialis  – several – last report 2006
* Hudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica - 1 male – last report
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 2, male and female
* Four-spotted Skimmer - ~10 – last report
Striped Meadowhawk - common
* American Emerald – common – last report
Ringed Emerald - several (~10?)
Variable Darner - common
Shadow Darner - at least one male netted
Common Green Darner - several
Blue-eyed Darner - at least male one netted
Northern Spreadwing - Common
Vivid Dancer - ~7
Boreal Bluet - common
Western Forktail - several
…….
Alpine County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Curtz Lake 
~5700' elev.; 1400-1500 
very hot & calm
Northern Spreadwing 30+
No/Bo Bluet 40 (Boreals mostly)
Boreal/Northern Bluet 3
Western Forktail 2
mosaic darner, likely Blue-eyed 3
Striped Meadowhawk 12
…
Heenan Lake 
7200' elev.; 1000-1130 on 15 Aug [only vicinity of dam & marsh below checked]
hot, sunny & calm
Northern Spreadwing 40
Northern Bluet 1 [in-hand]
Northern/Boreal Bluet 25
Western Forktail 2
mosaic darner 10, prob. not Blue-eyed
Paddle-tailed Darner 1 male [photo'd well at close range in flight]
Variegated Meadowhawk 1 (ph)
Striped Meadowhawk 8
Indian Valley Reservoir 
5600' elev.; 1200-1400 [but still only a small % of habitat checked]
very hot & sunny
Spotted Spreadwing 10 
Tule Bluet 1 [in-hand]
Boreal Bluet 2 [in-hand]
bluet, sp 50+
Western Forktail 4
C. Green Darner 3
Blue-eyed Darner 10 [male appendage seen in flight]
Eight-spotted Skimmer 1 male (ph)
Striped Meadowhawk 30+
Western Meadowhawk 1 male (ph)
Black Saddlebags 4 [including ovipositing tandem; sight record only]
 
August 13, 2006
Alpine County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Hope Valley Lake 
7100' elev.; 1545-1630 on 13 Aug
warm and calm but brief thundershowers
N. Spreadwing 2
Tule Bluet 1 [in-hand; catch & release as were all our in-hand odes]
Boreal Bluet 1 [in-hand]
bluet, sp  2
Grass Lake ED
7500' elev.; 1330-1630 on 13 Aug
Very warm day but thunderclouds building
…
El Dorado County
Northern Spreadwing 100
Emerald Spreadwing 15 [note Hall/Edwards had 800 Emerald v. only 2 Northern here in July]
[no bluets!]
American Emerald 1 male on patrol
White-faced Meadowhawk 800+ [sex everywhere]
Black Meadowhawk 2
…….
Monterey County
Steve Rovell and his son Julian 
We headed out to the Salinas River National Wildlife  Refuge, mainly just to get out, 
but we took our nets, camera, etc  with us just in case.  On the trail to the beach we 
encountered a few  dragons cruising the trail back and forth.  I was able to net one and  
it turned out to be a Spot-winged Glider Pantala hymenaea, new for both of us.
CA Chart #76; OC Record #7265
 I photographed it and submitted to Odonata Central as an upgrade to the  previous sight-only record.
Farther out near the beach, a wet ditch attracted me, as I have not  yet seen SF Forktail, and this 
seemed like a good place for them.  As  it was probably around 5:30 pm and overcast, I didn't expect 
much  action, but I did see one damsel in a spider web, apparently not eaten or spun-up for a later snack.  
I noticed it was a forktail and  pulled it out thinking it was dead.  To my surprise it wasn't dead,  
and it got away from me.  I'll have to go back when it is warmer and  sunnier to try to find this guy and ID him.  
Perhaps it will be the  SF!  Or maybe the BF.  Just gotta go back!

 

August 12, 2006
Colusa County
Paul Johnson
Bear Creek just upstream of Hwy 20 X Hwy 16
1315-2000
Hetaerina americana -- American rubyspot - ~80
CA/Aztec dancer - ~20
Argia lugens -- Sooty dancer - ~20
Anax junius -- Common green darner - ~40 (feeding at dusk)
Anax walsinghami -- Giant darner - 3-5 
Rhionaeschna multicolor -- Blue-eyed darner - ~10
Erpetogomphus compositus -- White-belted ringtail - ~15
* Progomphus borealis -- Gray sanddragon - ~5 – last report 2006
Macromia magnifica -- Western river cruiser - 2-4
Sympetrum corruptum -- Variegated meadowhawk - ~25
Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western pondhawk - ~4
Libellula saturata -- Flame skimmer - ~20
Libellula luctuosa -- Widow skimmer - ~2
Brechmorhoga mendax -- Pale-faced clubskimmer - 2
Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags - ~15
Pantala flavescens – Wandering glider - ~2
Pantala hymenaea – Spot-winged glider - ~2
…….
Sacramento County
Don Roberson & Rita Carratello, Tim Manolis & Doug Vaughan
American River access, Sacramento, at mid-day 
We searched for Olive Clubtail. After two 'got away' when flushed and flew high into the
cottonwoods, Tim found a male Olive Clubtail perched low in grape  vines for photos! Just superb. 
Our list for the hour:
Familiar Bluet 15 (likely this species)
C. Green Darner 2
mosaic darner, very likely Blue-eyed 5
Olive Clubtail 3 (male photo'd)
Widow Skimmer 8 (ph)
[Twelve-spotted Skimmer -1 - TM only]
Flame Skimmer 4
Common Whitetail 4 (ph)
Blue Dasher 2
Variegated Meadowhawk 20 (ph)
Wandering Glider 100+ (ph of a perched one)
Spot-winged Glider 5+ (flight i.d. only)
Black Saddlebags 10
…
El Dorado County
Tahoe Keys marsh, South Lake Tahoe 
water level very high; visited 3 times in 3 days, mostly birding, but this list:
Northern Spreadwing 100+ (could have been many hundreds)
Western Forktail 1
Striped Meadowhawk 15
Taylor Creek marsh 
added many more 
Striped Meadowhawk plus a
Emma’s Dancer (female)
…
Alpine County
Diamond Valley 
northwest end of Diamond Valley Road
Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens  1 in flight (sight record only)
 

August 11, 2006 

Monterey County
Steve Rovell and his son (Julian) 
We headed to Arroyo Seco to look for  odes.  We didn't have the diversity Don Roberson had, but we did  
manage to add one to our personal list for the county, Red Rock  Skimmer.  We had nothing new that 
Don didn't have on his two previous trips there. The Red Rock Skimmer, by the way, was in the creek near  
the entrance station.

 

August 10, 2006 

Yuba/Butte County
Tim Manolis

I was given a tour of a nice stretch of private property along South Honcut Creek near Bangor,

by the gracious landowner, a local Sac Audubon member named Wayne Monson (and a very nice guy). 

The creek here is the Yuba/ Butte county line, which makes it a nice place to get 2-for-1 county records,

and that is just what we did today, finding an Olive Clubtail Stylurus olivaceus  (collected), CA CHART #; OC Record #7348

 new for both Butte and Yuba counties (I just can't seem to get away from those guys these days <g>).  Also netted a

Wandering Glider  Pantala flavescens along the creek (and saw lots more of both gliders), then let it go,

but subsequently checked the spreadsheet and saw there was no prior record for Yuba!  [sight record]

I keep making that mistake in Yuba County because I keep forgetting that there are some very common to

abundant things (like Wandering Glider) that aren't even on the Yuba list. 

Did collect a California Dancer Argia agrioides for a first Yuba specimen (I'd netted but not saved them

along that creek before). CA CHART #; OC Record #7349

I have long thought that this creek looks like a great one for Giant Darner. 

Today just before we left a huge female Anax came down to the creek briefly, dipped in once and then took off. 

She was BIG.  But we didn't see so much as a shadow of any Anax males patrolling the creek.  Probably one

of the neatest things we saw was a female Pacific Spiketail ovipositing for a good 5 minutes straight or so;

also patrolling male Western River Cruisers.  All in all, a great little creek.

…….
Lassen County
Ray Bruun and George Sappington 
We drove a loop around Crater Mountain and then took A21 to Silver Lake Road where 
we looked for odes along the Susan River and at Cooper Swamp.  Odes of 
the day were SEDGE SPRITE at Cooper Swamp, White-faced Meadowhawk 
along the Susan River (there were many of them there), and Mountain 
Emerald, also along the Susan River.
Pictures are up:
Part 1 - Damselflies: http://bruunphotography.com/lassencounty1_081006.html
Part 2 - Meadowhawks: http://bruunphotography.com/lassencounty2_081006.html
Part 3 - Other Dragonflies: 
http://bruunphotography.com/lassencounty3_081006.html
Part 4 - Miscellaneous (non-odes): 
http://bruunphotography.com/lassencounty4_081006.html
Our trip list:
Crimson-ringed/Belted Whiteface - 2 or 3 males at Cooper Swamp
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - Two (male and female) along Pine Creek below Highway 44, one female at Susan River
Four-spotted Skimmer - 1 male.  If I remember right, this was at the Susan River.
Variegated Meadowhawk - several on the Crater Mountain loop.
Black Meadowhawk - 1 female at White Horse Reservoir
White-faced Meadowhawk - Very common along Susan River and at Cooper Swamp
Striped Meadowhawk - Very common on Crater Mountain loop, some at Susan River and Cooper Swamp(?)
Black Saddlebags - George mentioned seeing one in the Pine Creek Valley
* Mountain Emerald Somatochlora semicircularis - 1 male at Susan River last time reported in 2006
Paddle-tailed Darner - 1 female at White Horse Reservoir
* Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa  - one netted on Pine Creek downstream of Highway 44 - first time reported in 2006
Aeshna sp. - Other Aeshna species are possible (e.g., Variable Darner) but these are the only ones identified
Common Green Darner - Common on Crater Mountain loop
Blue-eyed Darner - several at Susan River(?)
Pacific Spiketail - one at Susan River (would have caught him/her, had I known it was a sighting-only record)
Northern/Boreal Bluet - Several (~10) at White Horse Reservoir
*Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus - Very common at White Horse Reservoir – last time reported in 2006
Emerald Spreadwing - Common on Crater Mountain loop and at Cooper Swamp.
Western Forktail - 1 female at Cooper Swamp + others at White Horse Reservoir and Pine Creek Drainage(?)
* Sedge Sprite - about 5 at Cooper Swamp – last time reported in 2006
 
August 9, 2006
Colusa County
Greg Kareofelas 
Mill Valley Campground

Lestes disjunctus (Northern Spreadwing) – specimen; CA CHART #15; OC Record #7301

 

August 6, 2006 

Monterey County 
Rita Carratello and Don Roberson
We returned to the Arroyo Seco Lakes in Monterey County, where we had done so well in the 100 degree heat of 24 July, 
but this time we had enough time to also check the Arroyo Seco River itself. We found a nice quiet stretch between two popular 
swimmin' holes. We had 13 odes at the "lakes" (two reedy ponds) but added 5 more along the river, including several lifers for us. 
One of these is apparently a first MTY record: Pale-faced Clubskimmer. 
Photos of all our new odonates, plus a summary of the day, is now at http://montereybay.com/creagrus/odonates06.html
Spotted Spreadwing 4 
Tule Bluet 2 
California Dancer 5 
Western Forktail 1 
Pacific Forktail 10 
Common Green Darner 6 
Blue-eyed Darner 10
Western Pondhawk 4 
Widow Skimmer 15 
Flame Skimmer 10 
Blue Dasher 30 
Cardinal Meadowhawk 10 
Black Saddlebags 5 [and this time actually found 1 perched!]
These 13 species were nice, but it was along the Arroyo Seco River, though, where we found new odes:
American Rubyspot 
Sooty Dancer (25+)
Red Rock Skimmer
Emma's Dancer
Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax - a first [photo] record for Monterey County. CA CHART #29; OC Record #7220
 

Ist week of August, 2006

Plumas &/or Sierra County

Doug Vaughan & Doris Kreshmer

My wife and I just returned from a week in the Sierra with a small group of friends. There was much wildflower watching and hiking through 
ode-poor habitat, but I was rarely without my net and never without binoculars, so we did manage a respectable list of odes. We also took 
more focused side trips to Zamboni Hot Springes in eastern Lassen County (very briefly) and Willow Lake in northern Plumas County, but we 
were perhaps a bit late for maximum excitement at both places. We spent most of our time in the Lakes Basin of southern Plumas County.
A conflated list follows. Two species marked with asterisks look to be upgrades of sighting-only records.
Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus) -- common and widespread
Paiute Dancer (Argia alberta) -- a few, Zamboni Hot Springs only
Vivid Dancer (A. vivida)
* Taiga Bluet (Coenagrion resolutum) -- at ponds around 7000' in the Lakes Basin – last time reported in 2006
Boreal Bluet (Enallagma boreale) -- "mostly blue" bluets abundant; this and Northern identified in hand
Northern Bluet (E. annexum)
Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula)
Black-fronted Forktail (I. denticollis)? -- one probable female at Willow Lake
Western Forktail (I. perparva)
*Paddle-tailed Darner (A. palmata) -- Smith L., Plumas Co., 1 August 
*Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta) -- Hellgrammite Lakes, Plumas Co., 4 August
Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor)
Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis) -- one patrolling male near Smith Lake, Plumas County
American Emerald (Cordulia shurtleffii) -- only one, Long Lake, Plumas County
Crimson-ringed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia glacialis) -- near Round Lake, c. 6700', Plumas County; specimen collected [upgrade of prior sighting only record]
CA CHART #40; OC Record #7208
Hudsonian Whiteface (L. hudsonica) -- at several alpine ponds, Plumas County
* Dot-tailed Whiteface (L. intacta) -- surprisingly, the only whiteface we found at Willow Lake; also seen in Lakes Basin – last report
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)
White-faced Meadowhawk (S. obtrusum) -- abundant and widespread
Western Meadowhawk (S. occidentale)
Striped Meadowhawk (S. pallipes)
Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) -- Lassen County only
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) -- Lassen County only
Comanche Skimmer (Libellula comanche) -- two or three at Zamboni Hot Springs
Four-spotted Skimmer (L. quadrimaculata)
Flame Skimmer (L. saturata) -- Lassen County only; no records for Plumas or Sierra County!?
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) -- seen in both Plumas and Sierra Counties; still no specimen record for the latter
Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) -- locally in swarms, Plumas County; specimen collected [upgrade of prior sighting only record]
CA CHART #40; OC Record #7209

 

August 3, 2006

Shasta County

George Sappington and Ray Bruun
Stillwater Creek and Upper Clear Creek
We photographed odes on upper Clear Creek (between Whiskeytown Lake and French Gulch) and on Stillwater Creek 
(other side of Redding by Shasta College).  The most interesting find was Western River Cruiser.  We had several at Clear Creek and captured 
one for confirmation and to photograph.  (I don't pose my subjects as a rule, but a posed picture is better than none at all.  I may never see a 
Western River Cruiser perched naturally.) Also seen:
Gray Sanddragon  - photo pair in cop

Flame Skimmer  - photo

American Rubyspot  - photo

Sooty Dancer  - photo

California Dancer  - photos

http://bruunphotography.com/shasta_county_080306.html

 

August 2, 2006

Fresno County

Glen Salt
Ren Faire location

Widow Skimmer

…

Monterrey County

Don Roberson
Laguna Grande Park, Seaside
Flame Skimmers ovipositing

…

San Bernardino County

John Hall/David Edwards
Amargosa @ Slot Cn 
Giant Darner Anax walsinghami – 1 seen, #84       
 

 

August 1, 2006

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

I took a walk at midday (11:00-12:30) along the American River Parkway in Sacramento from the Glennbrook Park Access,

on the south side of the river between the Howe and Watt Avenue bridges, downstream towards the Howe Avenue Bridge. 

This is the best place along the river to find the elusive Olive Clubtail (Stylurus olivaceus) and I wasn't disappointed. 

Odonates seen were:

Bluets -- about 10, 2 males seen looked like Familiar Bluets, and the rest were also likely that species.

Common Green Darner -- 10

*Olive Clubtail -- 12; 9 females, 3 males.  Typically flushed from perches in trees and bushes within 2-8 ft. above ground.

Blue Dasher -- 6

Western Pondhawk -- 1

Common Whitetail -- 12

Twelve-spotted Skimmer -- 2

Widow Skimmer -- 80

Flame Skimmer -- 40

Variegated Meadowhawk -- 30

Spot-winged Glider -- 60

Wandering Glider -- 20

Black Saddlebags – 8

 

 

 
July 2006

 

July 29, 2006

San Benito County

Paul G. Johnson 
San Benito River near confluence with James Creek
(private property, with permission)
1200-1430, ~90F, partly to mostly cloudy, wind 0-~4 mph
Although we saw only a dozen species, I was very pleased to see a giant darner, as many
clubskimmers as I had previously seen in total in all my life, the first Emma's dancers
for the county (I think), and what may have been my first Pacific clubtail sighting for the county
(although they zipped by too quickly for me to be certain).  
A great way to end a great month of California oding.
Hetaerina americana -- American rubyspot -- ~40
Argia vivida -- Vivid dancer – ~10
Argia emma -- Emma's dancer -- ~5 CA Chart #76 OC Record #7403 
Ischnura denticollis – Black-fronted forktail -- ~10
Ischnura perparva -- Western forktail -- ~15
Blue damsels -- ~30
Anax walsinghami -- Giant darner – 1
Erpetogomphus compositus -- White-belted ringtail – 2
Spiketail/Pacific clubtail – 1 or 2
Libellula saturata -- Flame skimmer -- 4
Brechmorhoga mendax -- Pale-faced clubskimmer -- ~6
Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags – 1
…….

Shasta County

Ray Bruun
Took a brief look at a pond east of Shingletown this afternoon.  This is the third time I've been there 
this year, and it was much less productive this time.  White-faced Meadowhawks were the most 
common dragonfly.  In addition, saw Striped Meadowhawk, Common Green Darner, Gliders (both kinds), 
Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Pacific Forktail (1), Western Forktail, and Northern Spreadwing
http://bruunphotography.com/southforkbearcrk_072906.html
 
July 27, 2006
Tuolumne County
Paul G. Johnson
Tulloch Rd., N of Hwy 108, SW of Tulloch Reservoir
0800-0815, 80F
Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags -- 1
Pantala flavescens – Wandering glider – 1  (upgrade from sighting to photo) 
Pantala hymenaea – Spot-winged glider -- 1
…
Stanislaus County
Stanislaus River Access at Knight’s Ferry and
“Horseshoe”, Merced River at Turlock Lake SRA
0830-1410 (lots of time driving), 85-98F, clear, wind ~2mph
CA/Aztec dancer -- 1
Argia vivida -- Vivid dancer – 3
Anax junius -- Common green darner – 1
? Rhionaeschna multicolor -- Blue-eyed darner? -- 3
Sympetrum corruptum -- Variegated meadowhawk -- 1
Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western pondhawk -- ~25
Pachydiplax longipennis -- Blue dasher -- 4
Plathemis lydia -- Common whitetail – 1f
Libellula luctuosa -- Widow skimmer -- 9
Libellula saturata -- Flame skimmer -- 4
Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags -- 7
Pantala flavescens – Wandering glider -- 1
Pantala hymenaea – Spot-winged glider -- ~7
…
Del Puerto Cyn., Stops at mile ~3.5, ~13.5, and ~18
1430-1905, 98F, clear, wind ~1 mph
Hetaerina americana -- American rubyspot -- ~35
? Archilestes californica -- California spreadwing? – 1f
CA/Aztec dancer -- ~35
Argia vivida -- Vivid dancer – 1
Blue damsels -- ~200
Anax junius -- Common green darner – 1m
Anax walsinghami -- Giant darner – 1f ovipositing
Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western pondhawk -- ~15
Pachydiplax longipennis -- Blue dasher – 3
Plathemis lydia -- Common whitetail – 1f
Libellula saturata -- Flame skimmer -- ~50
Brechmorhoga mendax -- Pale-faced clubskimmer -- 2
Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags -- 1

 

July 26, 2006
Mono County
Paul G. Johnson 
I went to Dechambeau Ponds specifically to see bleached skimmers.  I arrived at 0715, and by 1045 I
had seen many dozens of odes, but no bleached skimmers.  Then I spotted a dragonfly that I didn't
recognize, and sure enough it was a female bleached skimmer.  I had expected them to be the size of other
skimmers like the 8-spotteds that were everywhere. But this one was relatively tiny.  
Another 15 minutes of searching produced no more, so I returned to the outfloew of the hot spring, since this
is supposed to be a hot spring critter.  It didn't take long for me to notice the pale dragonflies landing on low vegetation away from the water. 
Following them led to more and more males.  Then I returned to the pond, where I saw several tandem pairs
and many more singletons.  By the end of the day, it would be one of the most common odes there.  What a cool place!
Dechambeau Ponds (N side Mono Lake, off Cemetery Rd.)
0715-1245, 78-93F, wind ~1mph, clear
Lestes congener -- Spotted spreadwing -- ~5
Ischnura cervula -- Pacific forktail -- ~5
Ischnura perparva -- Western forktail -- ~30
Blue damsels – many
Anax junius -- Common green darner – 7 (females sleeping in short grass away from water)
Rhionaeschna multicolor -- Blue-eyed darner – 2
Mosaic darners (probably blue-eyed) -- ~20
? Aeshna palmata -- Paddle-tailed darner? – 1 (large with light green thoracic stripes)
Sympetrum corruptum -- Variegated meadowhawk -- ~30
* Sympetrum costiferum – Saffron-winged meadowhawk -- ~20
Sympetrum pallipes -- Striped meadowhawk -- 1
Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western pondhawk -- ~50
Plathemis subornata -- Desert whitetail – 4m
* Libellula composita -- Bleached skimmer -- ~40 – last report
Libellula forensis -- Eight-spotted skimmer -- ~40
? Libellula pulchella -- Twelve-spotted skimmer? -- 2
Libellula quadrimaculata -- Four-spotted skimmer -- ~10
Libellula saturata -- Flame skimmer -- ~8
Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags -- ~8
Tramea onusta -- Red saddlebags -- 2
…
Tiny pond, N side Hot Creek Road near fish hatchery
1430-1445, 90F
Lestes dryas -- Emerald spreadwing -- 5
Ischnura cervula -- Pacific forktail -- 1
Ischnura perparva -- Western forktail -- 2
Argia vivida -- Vivid dancer  -- ~10
Sympetrum pallipes -- Striped meadowhawk – 2
Libellula pulchella -- Twelve-spotted skimmer – 2 (county photo record)
…
Little Alkali Hot Spring, wet areas beside Hot Creek Rd., & Alkali Lake
1530-1640, 90F, clear, wind ~5mph
Blue damsels -- ~1000
Sympetrum corruptum -- Variegated meadowhawk -- ~40
Plathemis subornata -- Desert whitetail – ~14
Libellula quadrimaculata -- Four-spotted skimmer – 1
? Rhionaeschna multicolor -- Blue-eyed darner? – 3
…..
Tuolumne County
Paul G. Johnson
Yosemite NP, Tuolumne Meadows
1840-1900, 73F, clear
Bluet – 1
Lestes dryas -- Emerald spreadwing -- ~100

 

July 25, 2006
Merced County
Paul G. Johnson
Merced River: George J. Hatfield SRA
1600-1630, 103 F, calm, clear
Bluet – 2
Argia emma -- Emma's dancer -- ~8
Argia lugens -- Sooty dancer -- ~4  (county record – sighting only)
Mosaic darner -- 1
Pantala flavescens – Wandering glider – 3  (county record?)

 

July 24, 2006
Shasta County

Ray Bruun

Hiked up to Cliff Lake today.  Only a couple of odes there, but I had a 
female Spot-winged Glider land on a tree branch about 10 feet from me as 
I was walking back to the car.  Unfortunately, the camera was tucked 
away in my backpack.  Fortunately, she hung around long enough to have 
her picture taken.  Also have an exuviae picture that is probably 
Crimson-ringed Whiteface.
Boreal Bluet - Summit Lake
Variegated Meadowhawk - Lost Creek
Spot-winged Glider - along trail between Summit and Cliff Lakes
http://bruunphotography.com/lassenprk_072406.html

 

July 23, 2006

Imperial County

Paul G. Johnson

East Highline Canal: E end Sinclair Rd.

0730-0800, 98F, partly cloudy, wind ~5mph

Argia moesta -- Powdered dancer -- ~3

Argia sedula – Blue-ringed dancer -- ~2

Hetaerina americana -- American rubyspot -- 1

Mosaic darner – 1

Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western Pondhawk – 1f ovipositing

Pantala hymenaea – Spot-winged glider -- 3

…

West Side Main Canal @ Hwy 98 (W of Calexico)

1015-1115, 103-109F, clear, wind ~1mph

Argia moesta -- Powdered dancer -- ~200

Dasher/Pondhawk – 2

? Anax junius -- Common green darner? – 1

* *Stylurus intricatus -- Brimstone clubtail – 1 – ONLY report 2006

Stylurus plagiatus -- Russet-tipped clubtail -- ~2

Erpetogomphus compositus -- White-belted ringtail -- ~3

Perithemis intensa -- Mexican amberwing -- 1

Pantala hymenaea – Spot-winged glider -- 2

…

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Carrizo Wash

1215-1315, 111F, calm, clear

Blue damsels – 4

CA/Aztec dancer -- 5

Argia moesta -- Powdered dancer – 3f

Argia sedula – Blue-ringed dancer – 1m

Telebasis salva -- Desert firetail – 2m

Anax junius -- Common green darner – 3

Dasher/Pondhawk – ~20

Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western Pondhawk -- ~5

Pachydiplax longipennis -- Blue dasher -- ~20

Libellula comanche -- Comanche skimmer – ~40

* Orthemis ferruginea -- Roseate skimmer – ~7(1m, ~6f) first report 2006 (January record was END of last year’s season)

Flame/Neon skimmer -- ~2

Pantala hymenaea – Spot-winged glider – 2

…

Sunbeam Lake County Park (N of Hwy 8 near Seeley)
0900-0945, 99F, clear, wind ~2mph
Blue damsels -- ~50
Argia moesta -- Powdered dancer -- ~40
Argia sedula – Blue-ringed dancer -- ~120
*Enallagma basidens – Double-striped bluet -- ~5
(Although not a county record, I was surprised to see these so far from the Colorado River.)
Ischnura ramburii – Rambur’s forktail -- ~20
Dasher/Pondhawk – 1
Perithemis intensa -- Mexican amberwing -- ~3
Pantala hymenaea – Spot-winged glider (1 dead in water)
…….

Monterey County

Don Roberson

Salinas wastewater treatment ponds

Anax junius – tandem pair ovipositing – photo at http://montereybay.com/creagrus/odonates04.html

…….

Shasta County
Ray Bruun

Summit Lake, Lassen Park

Crimson-ringed Whiteface -  many photographed 
Boreal Bluets - in wheel
Striped Meadowhawk - Young male
http://bruunphotography.com/summitlk_072306.html

 

 

July 22, 2006

Imperial Co.

Paul G. Johnson

East Highline Canal: E end Sinclair Rd.

1400-1500, 118-119F

Argia moesta -- Powdered dancer -- ~50

Argia sedula – Blue-ringed dancer -- ~15

…

Imperial Wildlife Area: Wister Unit: Reservoir at north end of unit

1500-1640, 116F, 28%RH, wind 0mph (feels like 133F)

Odes were all on the shady side of a row of trees on E side of reservoir, which unfortunately blocked the breeze.

Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western pondhawk -- ~15

Pachydiplax longipennis -- Blue dasher -- ~40

Libellula comanche -- Comanche skimmer -- 6

Tramea onusta -- Red saddlebags – 1

…

Imperial Wildlife Area: Wister Unit: canal adjacent to “mud pots” sign 1700-1820

In contrast to the odes hiding in the shade at the last spot, these were quite active.

Hetaerina americana -- American rubyspot -- 1

Ischnura ramburii – Rambur’s forktail -- 2

*Ischnura hastata – Citrine forktail -- 1f ovipositing

Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western pondhawk-- ~25

Pachydiplax longipennis -- Blue dasher -- ~40

Libellula comanche -- Comanche skimmer – 2

Libellula luctuosa -- Widow skimmer – 2m

Orthemis ferruginea -- Roseate skimmer – 1

…

Algodones Dunes: Cahuilla Ranger Station

0615, 95F (sun had not yet risen over dunes)

Pantala flavescens – Wandering glider – 2

…

San Diego County

Paul G. Johnson

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Culp Valley (south side of highway @Paroli Spring)

0645-0715, 93F

Pantala flavescens – Wandering glider – 2

*  * Libellula croceipennis -- Neon skimmer – only report for 2006!!

Libellula saturata -- Flame skimmer

…

Borrego Springs: Roadrunner Estates golf course

0830-1000, 105-113F

Brachymesia furcata -- Red-tailed pennant -- 2

Perithemis intensa -- Mexican amberwing -- ~7

Orthemis ferruginea -- Roseate skimmer – 1m

Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags -- 1

Flame/Neon skimmer -- 1

…

Borrego Springs: Borrego Springs Resort golf course

1015-1130, 116F

Ischnura ramburii – Rambur’s forktail -- ~5

Blue damsels -- ~20

Pachydiplax longipennis -- Blue dasher -- ~12

Erythemis simplicicollis collocata -- Western pondhawk – 1f

Libellula comanche -- Comanche skimmer -- 3

Macrodiplax balteata -- Marl pennant – 1f (photo county record)

Perithemis intensa -- Mexican amberwing -- ~75

Orthemis ferruginea -- Roseate skimmer – 1

 

July 21, 2006

San Francisco County

John Hall, David Edwards

Golden Gate Park

We took advantage of a warm sunny day to investigate the possibility of Rambur's Forktail existing in the park. This is based on

 observations of this species in the Conservatory of

Flowers. No Rambur's were found. We tried to visit most of the water bodies found in the park.

Vivid Dancer  1   (Arboretum)                   

Bluet,sp  2                          

Pacific Forktail   72                  

Western Forktail 1  (Elk Glen Lake)                

Mosaic Darner,sp  130                  

Blue-eyed Darner  22                   

Twelve-spotted Skimmer 1  (Middle Lake)          

Blue Dasher  2   ( Metson and North Lakes)                    

Wandering Glider 7                   

Spot-winged Glider 1                

Glider,sp   2                         

Common Whitetail  Libellula lydia 1  (Middle Lake-new county record-photo)

Cardinal Meadowhawk   30               

…….
Lassen County
Ray Bruun
This afternoon, I spent two hours photographing odes at Poison Lake.
(10 species)
Dot-tailed Whiteface - common
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 1 female or young male (flyby)
Four-spotted Skimmer - several
Variegated Meadowhawk - 1 mature female, several males
Striped Meadowhawk - abundant
Darner species (flyby)
Northern Spreadwing - common
Emerald Spreadwing - common
*Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus - abundant
Boreal Bluet - common (caught a couple of males to confirm ID)
Pictures in two parts:
Part 1 - http://bruunphotography.com/poison_lake_Part_1_072106.html
Part 2 - http://bruunphotography.com/poison_lake_Part_2_072106.html
…

San Diego County

Paul G. Johnson

Sorrento Valley: El Camino Memorial Park

30 minutes, 0.2 mile

Brachymesia furcata -- Red-tailed pennant -- ~3

Pachydiplax longipennis -- Blue dasher -- ~10

Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags – 1f ovipositing

Pantala hymenaea – Spot-winged glider – 1

…

Santee Lakes

30 minutes, 0.1 mile

Ischnura cervula -- Pacific forktail -- ~5

Blue damsels -- ~20

Anax junius -- Common green darner -- ~5

Brachymesia furcata -- Red-tailed pennant -- ~3

Pachydiplax longipennis -- Blue dasher -- ~8

Tramea lacerata -- Black saddlebags – ~2

 

July 20, 2006
Lassen County
Ray Bruun

For a couple of hours this afternoon, I braved the heat and visited Stillwater Creek downstream of Highway 299 (northeast of Redding). 

No camera; this was purely ode watching. The temperature was around 104°F when I was done.  I went there primarily to look for Alkali Bluet,

which I may have seen and photographed there last week.  I observed many bluets along the stream edge, sometimes together with California Dancer,

sometimes not.  I captured 20 to 25 of the males (most were males) and looked at the terminal appendages through a hand lens.  All turned out to be

Northern Bluet.  All were also small (approximately 30 mm and less) and had more black on top of segments six and seven than I am accustomed to

seeing on Northern/Boreal bluet. I saw several females, some in tandem with males.  There was at least one pair in wheel. Strangely, I was nearly

run-down by a deer. The creekside vegetation was dense.  At one point I heard a loud crashing noise, and seconds later, a large doe burst out of the

bushes running full speed into the creekbed about ten feet away. Pretty amazing.

Here is a list for the day (16 species):

Pale-faced Clubskimmer - 5 to 10, a pair in wheel

Western Pondhawk - several males

Widow Skimmer - common

Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 1

Flame Skimmer - ~10