California's Year 2008

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 (after dates start)
 
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 - please report new county records here also
*= first/last sighting of species of year in CA 
**= new flight data for species in CA
#= possibly a migratory event
MO= many observers (usually means a field trip full of observers)

 
 
As of the most recent date below,
102 species (out of 113 known species) have been reported to this site as flying in CA in 2008.
18 new county 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 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 at sonic.net>
County records should be substantiated with specimen (preferable) or photo and notes. [note: not all species are identifiable by photos]
 

Report new county records to Kathy Biggs [bigsnest at sonic.net]

& Odonata Central: http://odonatacentral.bfl.utexas.edu/records/US_new_records.asp

for verification

December
 
December 31, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway 11:15-1:30, sunny, mild, calm, 65-72 degrees (Photos all)
**Familiar Bluet  22  including immature and tandem [new late date by a week+]
**Tule Bluet  1 M [new late date by 2 months now!]
Bluet sp.  several  (unidentified immatures and tenerals)
Pacific Forktail  7  
**Common Green Darner  2  M & F  female ovipositing [new late date by a week]
Variegated Meadowhawk  4
 
December 29, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Escondido Creek, Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve
1:15-2:30, clear, calm, 72 degrees, warmer in direct sun 
**Arroyo Bluet  1M  (in hand, photo)  Basking in grass about 30 feet from the creek. [new late date by a month+]
Lake Poway
11:00-12:40, sunny, mild, calm, 63-72 degrees
Familiar Bluet  78  (one in hand, photo)      Mostly perching, but some gleaning, tandems, and ovipositing;  counted 13 on a little 2' x
2' emergent willow, including 4 tandems. . 
Tule Bluet  3 M  (one in hand, photo) 
Bluet sp.  8  (unidentified immatures and tenerals)
Pacific Forktail  6
Variegated Meadowhawk  5
 
December 28, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway 11:45-1:30, clear, cool, breezy, 52-66 degrees
Familiar Bluet  5  (plus 3 immatures  and several unidentified tenerals)
Tule Bluet  2
Pacific Forktail  5
Common Green Darner  (fly-by with good view) 
Variegated Meadowhawk   3 (tandem, ovipositing)
…….
San Diego County
Peter Siminski
Mountain Palm Springs, Anza – Borrego Desert State Park, Elev. 770’; 10:20-12:15, 50-58F, calm, cloudless.
Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 3
 
December 13, 2008
Imperial County
Bob Miller
Algodones Dunes in eastern Imperial County  - doing daily bird surveys
Familiar Bluet – one female in the dunes about six miles northeast of Hwy 78 at Glamis along the railroad tracks and two miles walk into the dunes to the southwest.
A male seen near Ogilby Road and Indian Pass on the north flanks of the Cargo Muchachos Mountains on 11-29. Photos taken.
 
December 12, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle 
Escondido Creek, Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, 1:00-1:35 pm; partly cloudy, 67 degrees.  
**American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana 1M [new late date] photo
*Vivid Dancer Argia vivida  1M [last report 2008]
Lake Poway. 10.30-12:15 pm; mostly cloudy, 59-66 degrees.  
Familiar Bluet >20 ovipositing, tenerals, immatures
**Tule Bluet E. carunculatum – 2+ [new late date] photo
Pacific Forktail – 1
Common Green Darner - 2 tandem
**Blue-eyed Darner R. multicolor – 1M still zipping about! [new late date] photo but haven't seen a Red-tailed Pennant since 12-6 (last report). 
 

December 10, 2009

Inyo County

Ron and Barbara Oriti

Klondike Lake

Variegated Meadowhawks – pair photographed in wheel, another pair tandem ovipositing, also a couple individuals

Farmer Pond

Variegated Meadowhawks  - 2

…….

Yolo County

Greg Kareofelas

Backyard in Davis  - the sun came out and so did this female

Sympetrum corruptum - perched on my laundry hanging in the sun :-) [photo]

 
December 4-7, 2008 
San Diego County
Gary Suttle 
Lake Poway, counts made along .75 mile of shoreline.   
Multiple days given to show contrast in numbers linked to temperature, especially for bluets.
December 7, 2008 11:45-1:15, cloudy, variable winds, 61-62 degrees.
Familiar Bluet
**Tule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum 4 tenerals, all perched, no adults, undoubtedly many more teneral but hard to see. [new late flight data]
No Anisopterans
December 6, 2008   11:00-1:00, clear, calm to light winds, 69-79 degrees.
Familiar Bluet
Tule Bluet     428  combined total (including tenerals), both species in tandems, wheels, and ovipositing; 
approximate 15 to 1 ratio of Enallagma civile to E. carunculatum.
Pacific Forktail   8  tandems
Common Green Darner   7 tandem ovipositing   
Stood quietly watching a male hawk and hover just three feet from me, when suddenly, out of
nowhere, a Merlin swept down, seized the dragonfly in its talons, and flew up to perch to eat!  photo
**Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor 1M [new late flight data]
**Red-tailed Pennant Brachymesia furcata 2M  remained perched, except for brief repositioning - photo [new late flight data for CA & whole SW]
Variegated Meadowhawk   6 tandem ovipositing
     December 5, 2008   11-15-2:00, clear, variable breeze, 68-76 degrees
Familiar Bluet
Tule Bluet    244 combined total
Pacific Forktail   4
Common Green Darner   4
Blue-eyed Darner   2M
Red-tailed Pennant   4 M 1F ovipositing, with and without hover guarding, 
over a much greater area than usual (50+ yards); last sure female seen on 11-14.
Variegated Meadowhawk 4
     December 4, 2008   11:30-1:30, partly cloudy, light breeze, 64-66 degrees
Familiar Bluet
Tule Bluet   41 combined total
Pacific Forktail 8
Common Green Darner 1
Red-tailed Pennant  1M   flushed from a shrub along portion of trail about 20 feet above shoreline.
**Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes 1M  quickly dipped in water, then flew up and away into a rocky drainage; likely the same one observed on 12-2.
[new late flight data for CA & whole SW]
Variegated Meadowhawk  1
 
December 4, 2008 
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Pomerado Pond, Poway 10-30-11:00am  hazy sun, 63 degrees 
Familiar Bluet  2 
*Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis 3 [last report 2008]
Common Green Darner 2 
Variegated Meadowhawk  1
 
December 2, 2008 
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway, 12:00-2:00pm, foggy most of a.m., hazy sun, high clouds, light breeze, 59-66  degrees.
Bluet sp.  17 – all tenerals (no Familiar or Tule Bluet adults seen; 284 counted yesterday in warmer weather)
Common Green Darner  2  
Blue-eyed Darner  1M & 1F Green Form,  ovipositing and hanging
Variegated Meadowhawk  2
**Red Rock Skimmer  1M   (alighted on rock for about 15 seconds, then gone; photograph) [new late flight date by 3 wks!]
*Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens 1 (last report 2008)
 
December 1, 2008 
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway, 10:00-12:50, clear, calm, 68-80+ degrees
Familiar Bluet 
**Tule Bluet  [new late flight date]
(Approximate 10 to 1 ratio of Enallagma civile to E. carunculatum -284 total, a rough, conservative count, made along .75 mile of
shoreline; both species observed in tandems, wheels, and ovipositing)
Pacific Forktail  5
Common Green Darner  4  
Blue-eyed Darner 1
Darner sp. (Looked like a Green Form Female Blue-eyed Darner)
Variegated Meadowhawk 5 tandem/ovipositing
**Red-tailed Pennant  4 (Mostly perching, worn wings) [new late flight date]
 
 
November
 

November 30, 2008

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, the ditch south of the head quarters, Elev. -233’; 10:50-11:40, ~82F, cloudless, light breeze W.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  1

*Rambur’s Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  One wheel [last report 2008]

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  5

*Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea  15 including one wheel. (last report 2008)

……

San Mateo County
Mary Abbott
….my husband and I saw lots and lots of dragonflies at the Pescadero Marsh on the trails through the marsh. 

# We saw Green Darners and Variegated Meadowhawks and others I couldn't identify --  lots of them and lots of activity!
The Marsh is part of Pescadero State Beach on Hwy 1 north of Santa Cruz and about 15 miles south of Half Moon Bay. 

You park at the beach parking lot and follow the walkway along Hwy 1, continue down to the beach and go under the bridge and out to the trails on the marsh. 

Lovely place.

 
November 28, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway, 12:50-2:30pm., Partly cloudy, cool, 63-66 degrees.
**Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis 1M - Observed and photographed for half an hour, wings slightly frayed but luminous color undiminished.  
Likely a wanderer (several miles from a flowing creek).  The Neon found one of the warmest and most sheltered spots on the lake, 
about 20 feet above the shoreline.  It basked and flew from perch to perch to gain optimal sun exposure.   
First saw this individual on 11-26, at the same location,  just after a passing cold front had dumped 1.33" of rain over a two day period. [last report 2008]
 
November 21, 2008
Orange County
Rich Schilk
Borrego Creek in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park; 12:45-1:15pm; Sunny 75-80 degrees
**Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis – one male photographed – new late flight date
 
November 18, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle 
Escondido, Jack Creek 
**Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis  - a month later than prior year’s late date!  Saw only 1 male (photographed) and 1 female fleetingly 
Lake Poway shoreline 
**Red-tailed Pennants Brachymesia furcata —13, all with worn wings, mostly perched, not patrolling. [new late flight date] 
**Tule Bluet – see below
Familiar Bluets -  numbers exceeding my previous  count-- 667!    [new late flight date]
This surely marks their Fall apex because a cooling  trend is forecast ( it reached 88 degrees today).
 
November 16, 2008
San Mateo County
Ken Schneider
freshwater marsh at Coyote Point Park
probable blue-eyed darner (large darner with bright blue "face") flying back and forth 
I was not able to capture or photograph it to confirm the ID 
 
November 14, 2008
Siskiyou County 
Dave Payne
Cayuse Pond along the Klamath River - about 2:30 pm. It was sunny, temps in mid 50's
*California Spreadwing Archilestes californica - 3 leaving the pond as it shadowed over. (sun dropped below the southern ridge) [last report 2008]
They flew upslope to stay in the sun.
*Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa - 1 female left the pond and flew into a low bush in the sun. [last report 2008)
I went to get a camera and returned to watch her fly off as the sun faded behind the southern ridge. I just missed a fine photo opportunity. 
Three Western Pond Turtles were sunning when I first approached the pond.
 
November 13, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Pine Valley Creek, approx. 3700 feet, 10:00-12:15. Mostly sunny, calm, 75-79 degrees.
California Spreadwing 3M 2F  tandems/ovipositing
Vivid Dancer 1
**Walker's Darner Aeshna walkeri 1M [last report 2008; NEW LATE FLIGHT DATE]
Variegated Meadowhawk >10
…..
Siskiyou County
Dave Payne
Happy Camp, his backyard. 
I spent part of afternoon removing some of the vegetation that had totally choked my backyard pond.  
To my delight I found a female Aeshna sp. hanging on a brown stem over the water. 
She was cold to the point of being unable to fly. I reached over and easily caught her and brought her inside to finally solve 
the mystery of which Aeshna has been flying about my pond in the late season.
She had no face stripe, and did have brown tinted wings with brown pterostigmas, and tan "ears" on the back of her head. 
I'm thinking female Shadow Darner.  I found her at 1:00 pm under partly cloudy skies and temps in the mid 50's.  
After identification I took her back to the pond and placed her on a piece of damp wood. She then started ovipositing. 
She remained on this piece of wood, crawling about and seemingly ovipositing at a very comatose pace. I did photograph her at this point.
At about 2:25 pm another very robust female Shadow Darner showed up and explored all the "new space" created from my vegetation removal. 
She was ovipositing on damp wood, wet rocks, brown leaves of umbrella plant all within 12 inches of the surface of the water.
At about 2:30 a third female Shadow Darner visited the pond. She also began ovipositing. 
For a brief period I had three female Shadow Darners ovipositing in various locales about my backyard pond. 
During this activity period the afternoon temperature soared to 60 degrees.
The strong females both flew off after spending quality time at the pond. 
The first female remained on the damp log until I went out at 5:00 pm and brought her inside for the night.
This is the latest date I have recorded any flying odes at my backyard pond.  
 
November 12, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle 
Escondido, Jack Creek
**Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis  – male and female photographed. Male now shows dark discoloration at 9-10 which looks like injury or ailment.  
He also displayed less activity than on previous days.  [new late date – kb]
Lake Poway
Red-tailed Pennants – 12 vs more than 30 on the 1st of November
 

November 11, 2008

Orange County

Trude Hurd

Trabuco Canyon in the Cleveland National Forest in the Santa Ana mountains, Holy Jim trail near waterfall, 1155-1215

Habitat:  Steep canyon with very small, slow-moving stream (rain a week ago) with alders, bay, sycamore, ferns, etc.

Weather:  Upper 60’s to 70 F, cloudless, sunny (perfect day for an autumn hike!)

*Great Spreadwing Archilestes grandis -  1 male flying and perching on vegetation and rocks next to the stream - three photos taken.  CA Chart #106 [last report 2009]

Other dragonflies seen along trail.

November 8, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis and fish ponds, Elev. -90’ to -135’; 8:30 – 12:00, 70-85F, cloudless, light air to light breeze S.

*Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta  1 [last report 2008]

*Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula  4 [last report 2008]

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  2

Rambur’s Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  26

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  4

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  2

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  >40 including many tandem pairs.

Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata  5

*Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  5 [last report 2008]

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea  2

…….

San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Escondido, Jack Creek/Dixon Lake 10:45-12:00, mostly clear, light breeze, 80 degrees.
Vivid Dancer 1
Familiar Bluet  2  In hand 
**Tule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum >10    in hand [new late flight date]
Common Green Darner 4 
**Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis 2M   (on 11-5-08 observed two females perched several feet apart) New Late date. [see below – also seen further North]
Escondido Creek/Elfin Forest  12:30-1:00, 83 degrees
American Rubyspot 2
Dos Picos Pond, near Ramona  1:45-2:30, 81 degrees
Familiar Bluet  3  In hand
Tule Bluet   6        "
*Arroyo Bluet Enallagma praevarum  1 IN HAND [last report 2008]
Common Green Darner  several
Variegated Meadowhawk  2
*Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata  2 [last report 2008]

…….

Orange County

Doug Willick

Harbor View Nature Park in Newport Beach, mid 70s

**Neon Skimmer - three male Neon Skimmers there (and again no Flames), in the same exact spots there usually are.  Got some OK photos this time.  They were sticking to the fairly shady areas along the creek, though finding areas to perch in the sun.  They seemed pretty active (2 males chasing each other fairly aggressively).

[This is new late flight date for Calif. and the whole Southwestern USA! – kb] 

November 6, 2008

Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Farmer Pond north of Bishop
Variegated Meadowhawk - lots
**Western (Band-Winged) Meadowhawk Sympetrum occidentalis - 1 male flying around, photo taken, new late flight date, old date 11/2/2007
 
November 1, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway, 10:00-12:30, mostly sunny and calm, 76-83 degrees.  
Two black and white birds of opposite sizes sat nearly side by side on a
treetop branch, a Black Phoebe probably eyeing an ode and a Osprey
likely scanning for the 4000 pounds of trout soon to be released into
the lake! 
Familiar Bluet  25  several in hand
Tule Bluet  27  several in hand
Enallagma - 249 total: Identified and counted the two above by species along about a quarter mile of shoreline  
(25 + 27= 52).   
Then started counting individuals along an additional half mile of shoreline ( another 197).  
Mostly adults, some tenerals. They fluttered, oviposited, skirmished, and perched on emergent vegetation, on floating plants, and on the ground near the water's edge.
Common Green Darner  >10  Often seen tandem ovipositing
Blue-eyed Darner  2   A patrolling male and a hanging female.
Blue Dasher  1 
Variegated Meadowhawk  2  Tandem ovipositing
Red-tailed Pennant  >30  Only adult males observed except for one female (ovipositing with male hover guarding) and another juvenile male or female. 
*Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata  2 [last report 2008]
Black Saddlebags  1
 
 

October

 
October 31, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Escondido, Jack Creek/Dixon Lake 10:45-1:30 mostly clear, lightbreeze, 77-90 degrees.
Vivid Dancer 3
Familiar Bluet  >5
Tule Bluet  >15 including MMF triple tandems, wheels, and ovipositing
Pacific Forktail 1 
Common Green Darner  5
Blue-eyed Darner  1 
Red-tailed Pennant  2 
Flame Skimmer several
Neon Skimmer  2M 1F 
 
October 30, 2008
Inyo County
Gary & Paula Suttle
Dirty Socks Spring (near Olancha) 10-10:30 am, partly sunny, 59 degrees (warmer in sun)
Familiar Bluet  >6  Dark and Light forms, perched and sallying
 
October 29, 2008
Inyo County
Gary & Paula Suttle
Keogh Hot Springs (north of Big PIne)  mostly clear, 79 degrees
Bluet sp.  1
Variegated Meadowhawk
**Western Pondhawk Erythemis collocata  2 M [last report 2008; new late flight date]
Flame Skimmer 1 M
Owens River at Mazourka Canyon Road (near Independence),  75 degrees
No odes seen
Symes Creek/spring/upwelling off Mazourka Canyon Road, breezy, 78 degrees
*Western Forktail Ischnura perparva 2 M, 1 F [last report 2008]
 
October 28-31, 2008
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Farmer Pond north of Bishop has just been refilled with water over the last week, after having been dry since early June.  
To our surprise, there were a number of Variegated Meadowhawks, and a couple Common Green Darners! # [possibly these are migrants –kb]
 
October 28, 2008
Sonoma County
David Hofmann and Kathy Biggs
Copeland Creek @ Lichau Rd bridge (access from Robert's Rd off Petaluma Hill Rd East of Cotati), 
field left side of road, immediately south of creek; 4:15 - 5:00; ~71F
Great Spreadwing - 2-3, (1 male and 1 or 2 females)
Aeshna type Darner - 1 male patrolling the creek, poking in and out of areas along side of creek just above water surface. 
Probably a Shadow Darner (we noted some green color) but behavior also matches Walker's Darner.
…….
Mono County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Dechambeau Ponds
Variegated Meadowhawks  - a few old ones
…….
Kern County
Alison Sheehey

Rocky Point at Kelso Valley Rd.

Walker's Darner  - The photo she posted (http://www.natureali.org/rocky_point.htm) confirms this ID for the new Kern County photo record.

Common Green Darner
Variegated Meadowhawk

American Rubyspot - Hetaerina americana
California Spreadwing - Archilestes californica

Vivid Dancer - Argia vivida

October 26, 2008

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, the ditch south of the head quarters, Elev. -233’; 10:00-11:15, ~75F, cloudless, light breeze E.

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  1

*Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  3 [last report 2008]

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii  7

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  4 including a wheel.

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  8

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  2

*Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa  2 [last report 2008]

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea  36

…….
San Benito County
Paul Johnson
Pinnacles National Monument, South Wilderness; Hot, sunny, light breeze; 1130-1830
Walker's darner - 2-3 (m)
variegated meadowhawk - 3
American rubyspot - 2 (1f, 1m)
CA spreadwing - 5 (m)
CA dancer - 1 (m - ID in hand)
CA/Aztec dancer - 12 (5 pairs ovipositing, one f ovipositing, one m)
Pacific forktail - 1 (m)
*Desert Firetail Telebasis salva - 3 (1 pair ovipositing, 1 m) [last report 2008]
Many of these were within inches of California red-legged frogs, but I didn't observe any predation attempts.  Maybe my presence disturbed them.
 
October 25-28, 2008
Mariposa County
Gary & Paula Suttle
Yosemite Valley, various hours between 10am and 4:00pm, mostly clear,
calm, and warm, occasional light breezes, days in low 80's, nights in
high 30's, e.g. 82-37 degrees on October 28.  Yosemite Falls, most of
the creeks, and Mirror Lake were all dry, but the Merced River flowed
lazily, at a very low water level, with pools here and there.
Great Spreadwing  >12  Saw only males and one tandem, some on willows
overhanging the river, but also perched on nearby grass and dried
flower stems. Found along the north side of the river in scattered
sunny openings between Swinging Bridge and El Capitan Bridge.
Darner sp.  5  Likely Shadow Darners, patrolling river and a backwater
pond, close-up views (just a foot or two away), dark brown with blue
flecks, greenish faces, grayish eyes, but no sure in-hand ID (couldn't
net in the park).  Observed a wheel, looking like a chunky dark
chocolate heart, flying up into a tree above the pond.  Also saw a
female ovipositing in wet wood.
Band-winged Meadowhawk 1 M  Perching on ground (dry river bed)
Variegated Meadowhawk  4
*Striped Meadowhawk Sympetrum pallipes   5  All timeworn, frayed wings and faded [last report 2008]

October 25/26, 2008

Kern County

Alison Sheehey
Audubon's Kern River Preserve 
California Spreadwing - a life ode 
BLM's Rocky Point along Kelso Valley Road 

Walker's Darner Aeshna walker–– a new species for Kern County, sight record, later upgraded to photo: OC#: 284362, CA Chart # 104

damsel - unidentified tiny and blue 
American Rubyspots - several

Variegated Meadowhawk – everywhere

 
October 25, 2008 
Monterey County
Don Roberson with Rita Carratello
Salinas wastewater ponds; this is a permit-only access site these odes seen while birding (numbers could easily have been higher); 1030-1230;
Pacific Forktail 1 male
Familiar Bluet  4 males
Blue-eyed Darner 3 cruising males
Variegated Meadowhawk 4, inc. ovipositing pair
*Cardinal Meadowhawk Sympetrum illotum 3, inc. ovipositing pair [last report 2008]
 
October 25, 2008 
Orange County
Doug Willick 
Newport Beach, Harbor View Nature Park
**Neon Skimmers Libellula croceipennis - at least two males (This spot has been reliable for Neons for at least the last two years  
Got a poor photo of one of them.  Oddly enough, I bird this location primarily during fall migration (August to October), and have always 
had decent numbers of Neons, and have yet to see a Flame Skimmer! [new late flight data by one month – kb]
 
October 24, 2008 
Orange County
Doug Willick 
downtown Santa Ana, park along Santiago Creek in a stretch of only about 50 yards of creek. 
Flame Skimmers 10-12 

Common Green Darners 15+ flying

October 23, 2008 
Riverside County

John Stirling

along the LCR north of Blythe

*Citrine Forktail Ischnura hastata [last report 2008]

October 22, 2008

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Lake Ralphine, Howarth Park East side of Santa Rosa (off Summerfield Rd):
2:45-4:00, ~85F, light breeze
Bluets - several dozen including
No/Bo Bluets (~1/3 of the bluets seen were this type)
Tule Bluet - 3 males positively IDed
Arroyo Bluet - several appeared to be this species, not Tule.
Pacific Forktail - 4 M, 1 mature F
Western Forktail - 2 M, 2 mature F
Shadow Darner - 1 M patrolling (IDed by bright green face, no other green-faced, dark colored darner in Sonoma Co)
Blue-eyed Darner - 1 M patrolling (IDed by bright blue face & eyes)
Flame Skimmer - 5-6 males
No Meadowhawks seen!

…….
Siskiyou County 

Dave Payne

Cayuse put-in, Klamath River. It was sunny, low 70's. I was there from 1300 - 1445 hrs

California Spreadwings ~ a dozen pairs were in tandem and ovipositing on willow twigs over the water.

October 21, 2008
San Benito County
Paul Johnson 
Laguna Creek, most odes observed after noon
California Spreadwing - nearly thirty
Walker's darner - 1male

October 20, 2008

Imperial County

Bob Miller 
the eastern deserts - made only one stop on the Colorado River about three miles north of where Indian Pass hits Picacho Road.  
This is the farthest location north of Winterhaven/Yuma that can be accessed by vehicle on the California side of the river.  
At the rivers edge were about a dozen each of 
Rambur's Forktail and Powdered Dancer. Several of the female Rambur's were red.
Also had what I thought to be a female Widow Skimmer leading our Jeep up the narrow road with high sided vegetation as we pulled away from the river. 
It never stopped and we never got a better look at it.  Looking through literature this morning I am now thinking it might have been a female Desert Whitetail 
as I remember it appeared to have two dark patches on each wing.  In any case I can not say for sure what it was so it remains a case of "bug wins!"  
The only other dragon seen was a lone male Variegated Meadowhawk several miles away from the river.

……. 

San Diego County

Gary Suttle

San Pasqual-Clevenger Canyon (North Trail), Santa Ysabel Creek, mostly dry streambed, with a few tiny pools upstream from cement crossing.

12:00-1:30pm sunny,  light breeze, 74 degrees. 

California Spreadwing  4 males

Vivid Dancer  5, including wheel

Black-fronted Forktail 2

*Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis 1 male – photo taken [new late date]

*Pale-faced Clubskimmer  Brechmorhoga mendax 1 [last report 2008]

October midmonth – early November 2008
Santa Barbara County

Dan Chrynko

My studio - about fifty feet from Mission Creek in Santa Barbara - across the creek from Rocky Nook Park which is about one block from

Santa Barbara's Old Mission, in the Mission Canyon Area.

Archilestes sp – a friendly one! See Podcast where I've posted it for viewing. Scroll down a little and you'll see ‘making friends with a dragonfly’:

californiamosaic This happened over a period of at least three to four weeks starting in mid October.

October 19, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas oasis and fish ponds, Elev. -90’ to -125’; 8:00-11:50, 62-92F, cloudless to 20% mare’s tail cirrus, calm to light breeze E.

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  3

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida  1

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  12

Rambur’s Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  20

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  7

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  10

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  >80 including 25 tandem pairs with some ovipositing.  Yes, I saw more as tandems then as individuals.

Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata  23 including one wheel.

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  8

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  12

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  2

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea  2

Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata  1

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  5 including one tandem pair

October 18, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

One Thousand Palms Oasis, Coachella Valley Preserve, Elev. 588’; 10:30-13:15, 85-95F, cloudless, calm to gentle breeze S.

*California Dancer, Argia agrioides  12 (3 in hand) (one tandem pair). [last report 2008]

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida  10

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  4

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  1

*White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus  1 [last reprt 2008]

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  12

*Neon Skimmer, Libellula croceipennis  2 [last report 2008]

…….
Fresno County
Paul Johnson
Arroyo Leona ~1 mile upstream of Cantua Creek (Private Property)
1130-1600
Partly cloudy, warm, light breeze
California spreadwing Archilestes californicus - ~35
Great spreadwing Archilestes grandis – 7; photos inc. a tandem pair where male is grandis and female is californicus
CA/Aztec dancer - common
Vivid dancer - abundant
Bluet sp - common
Common green darner - 2
Walker's darner - 2
Variegated meadowhawk - ~30
*Red rock skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes  2 (1f, 1m) - I'm fairly certain of these ID's, seen from a distance but distinctive, especially the female

I posted some images in the CalOdes Paul Johnson folder. [last report 2008]

October 17, 2008
Siskiyou County 
Dave Payne
Cayuse River Access along the Klamath River about 3pm. The surface of the pond is totally covered with algae. It was a partly cloudy day with temps in the high 70's. 
Here is who was still flying.
California Spreadwing - One pair in tandem, and one single male
Aeshna sp -  Several males on the wing, could not catch or id.
**Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis - One very robust and fresh looking male. I got excellent views with binocs as he perched in the sun. 
This is the latest I have seen an Eight-spotted Skimmer flying in Siskiyou County. [last report 2008 and new late flight date]
Several Western Pond Turtles were also enjoying the afternoon sun. 

October 15, 2008
Sonoma County
Dave & Kathy Biggs
Fairfield Osborn Preserve - we just walked in to the little creek above the marsh
Great Spreadwings - only 2 males (pictures taken) and none at all down below where Lichau Rd. crosses Copeland Creek. 
That's 3 years in a row with none at the lower, public access site - none since the New Year's flooding.
Didn't take the time to walk the whole mile or two of creek that is somewhat accessible, so there is still hope they're there somewhere.... 
 

October 12-17, 2008

San Diego County

Gary Suttle

Lake Poway,  daily observations.

Enallagma civile

E. carunculatum

Anax junius

Rhionaeschna multicolor

Sympetrum corruptum

Brachymesia furcata

Erythemis collocata

Pachydiplax longipennis

Libellula saturata

L. croceipennis

Pantala flavescens

*Pantala hymenaea Spot-winged Glider [Oct. 12 - last report 2008]

Tramea lacerata

*T. onusta Red Saddlebags [Oct. 14 - last report 2008]

 
October 12, 2008
Imperial County

David Blue

Squaw Pond

American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana – 5, ph.

Powdered Dancer Argia moesta – 1, ph., F

Blue-ringed Dancer Argia sedula – 2, ph.

Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile – 1, ph.

Common Green Darner Anax junius – 3

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor – 1

Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax – 3

Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata – 1

Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis – 1

Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata – 4

West Pond

Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile – 5, ph.

Rambur's Forktail Ischnura ramburii – 14, ph., M, F, wheel

Common Green Darner Anax junius – 3

Red-tailed Pennant Brachymesia furcata – 1, ph., M

**Marl Pennant Macrodiplax balteata – 1, ph., M [new late date for California]

Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis – 2

Mexican Amberwing Perithemis intensa – 1, ph., M

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum – 1

Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata – 1

…….

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Russian River at Healdsburg - I looked for Archilestes: none found.
Am. Rubyspot - 1 male
*Sooty Dancer Argia lugens - 1 pair in tandem [last report 2008]
Vivid Dancer - 2, one a male for sure
Bluet sp - "blue' bluet type
Aeshna sp - probably a Shadow Darner male as I saw a hint of green on the side of the thorax
Flame Skimmer - 1 very quick fly by (one male-colored female the day before on lower Pine Flat Rd)
Variegated Meadowhawk - 1

Cardinal Meadowhawk - seen 10/14 on our Sebastopol backyard pond.

October 11, 2008
Alameda County

Alice Cavette

Mission San Jose
Variegated Meadowhawk – photo taken of a young male: http://www.cavette.net/photos/dragonflies.html

October 9, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Escondido, Jack Creek/Dixon Lake 9:45:00am-12:30pm, clear, light breeze, 72-79 degrees.
California Spreadwing  1
Vivid Dancer  numerous
Tule Bluet  few
Pacific Forktail 2
Black-fronted Forktail 4
Common Green Darner  7+
Blue-eyed Darner  3+ including a female ovipositing
Variegated Meadowhawk  1
Red-tailed Pennant   2
Blue Dasher   many
Flame Skimmer   several
Neon Skimmer  3 
Black Saddlebags  6 
*Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta  1 [last report 2008]
 

October 5, 2008

Inyo County

David Blue

Dirty Socks Spring (near Olanche)

*Paiute Dancer Argia alberta – 15, ph. [last report 2008]

Tule/Arroyo Bluet Enallagma carunculatum/praevarum – 2, ph.

Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile – 10

Desert Forktail Ischnura barberi – 8, ph.

Common Green Darner Anax junius – 1

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor – 4, including 1 F

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum - 12

Cottonwood Marsh (Owen’s Lake south of Lone Pine)

California Dancer Argia agrioides – 12, ph. (one in hand)

Paiute Dancer Argia alberta – 4

Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile – 7

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor – 1

Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata – 1, ph. M

**Desert Whitetail Plathemis subornata – 1, ph., M [new late date by 3 wks!]

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum – 15, ph. M & F

October 3, 2008

Inyo County

David and Linda Blue

Darwin Falls

Vivid Dancer Argia vivida, 20, ph., tandem, ovipositing

Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile, 1, ph.

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor – 1, ph., M, perched

Flame Skimmer Libellula saturate – 8 ph., M, F

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum – 5, ph.

Dirty Socks Spring (very quick stop)

Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta – 1, ph. F, ovipositing

 
 
September

September 30, 2008

Santa Cruz County

Gary Suttle

San Lorenzo River, east bank, backwater pools, just south of the Water Street bridge.

Looking for SF Forktail, but found….

Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis  3   In hand – first sight only record for county. CA Chart # 105.

[Gary has also seen I. denticollis at the Neary Lagoon in the past]

September 29, 2008

Nevada County

Ted Beedy

~2 pm, bright sunny day, just outside my office at 3,200' on Banner Mountain, just outside Nevada City. 

Great Spreadwing – photos, there were a lot of them around our pond for awhile

September 28, 2008

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

CDGF Imperial Wildlife Area, Wister Unit, Ruddy Road ditches and ponds, Elev. -222’; 8:30-11:30, 90-105F, cloudless, calm.

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  >60 including many ovipositing pairs.

Rambur’s Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  5

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  >50 including two tandems.

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  6

White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus  1

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  ~25

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  >35

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  >45

Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa  14

Roseate Skimmer, Orthemis ferruginea  22

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  ~18, including three tandems.

Red Saddlebags, T. onusta  2

Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens  ~20

…….
Sonoma County
Kathy Biggs & Gary Suttle 
Fairfield Osborn Preserve (PRIVATE), Lichau Rd. Cotati, 10:30-4:30 ~670F when the Odes were seen (foggy earlier)
Kelly Pond:
Pacific Forktail - one young female in hand, perhaps others there
Bluet sp. - more dark than blue, Arroyo has been seen there before
Common Green Darner - ~30 flying in the field just adjacent to the pond, a few over the pond
non-Anax darner - 1-2 seen, in the field and over the pond
Variegated Meadowhawk - several
Striped Meadowhawk – several, in hand
On the hike down from the pond we saw ~15 more Common Green Darners and we netted one female Blue-eyed Darner 
(male colored form). Variegated and Striped Meadowhawks seen.
Copeland Creek at 'honeymoon cabin' (locked gate on map). On the way into this area we saw
Vivid Dancer - a few
*Aztec Dancer  Argia nahuana - one female collected [last report 2008]
Common Green Darner - ~15 again, swarming/feeding over the meadows
Perhaps a Variegated or Striped Meadowhawk or two
We ate lunch sitting just across the creek from where David Hofmann and I had seen Great Spreadwings several years ago. 
We finished a leisurely lunch. Alas, none appeared, so we rose to leave and then Gary cried "AHA!" 
And on a blade of grass that overhung the narrow bridge over the creek, there, in all his glory, was a male 
Great Spreadwing.... well, almost in all his glory. His eyes were just turning blue and his side stripe was 'creamy' in color.
 It interacted with another Spreadwing, that we at first thought was a female over this same little ramp of a bridge. 
We later had that individual in hand - and it was a younger male, eyes gray, side stripe white. We took several photos.
Amazing that the bug literally BLOCKED the bridge so we couldn't pass without seeing it. Hooray!!
Elsewhere in Sonoma County - at our Sebastopol pond:
9-28 - Cardinal Meadowhawk - a  lone female ovipositing

9-27 - Flame Skimmer - one male

…….

Modoc County

Steve Rottenborn

(sunny, breezy, 60-65 F in late morning):

Three Springs Ranch, along CR 48 on SW side of Goose Lake (0930-1000):
Pacific Forktail 2
Western Forktail 6
Paddle-tailed darner 1-3
Western Meadowhawk 5

North Fork of Pit River near large pulloff along Highway 395, 4.2 mi. north of Highway 299, north of Alturas (1055-1120):

California Spreadwing Archilestes californicus - collected a male - new for Modoc County CA CHART # 102, OC # 284069

*Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener was the only species that I hadn't recorded the previous day. [last report 2008]

Shadow Darner, Aeshna umbrosa, 1 male at each site: Pit River and Lower Lily Lake. PHOTO record, CA Chart #102, OC # 312645 & 312646
at 41.9896° N 120.2402° W

September 27, 2008

Modoc County

Steve Rottenborn

(sunny, temp 55 F at 0915, warming to low 80s in afternoon):

Modoc NWR auto tour loop (0915-1215):
Pacific Forktail 1
bluet sp. 10
mosaic darner 10 (incl. males of both Paddle-tailed and Variable)
Western Meadowhawk 2 (pair in wheel)
Variegated Meadowhawk 4
Striped Meadowhawk 4
Meadowhawk sp. 45+ (many tandem pairs)

North Fork of Pit River near large pulloff along Highway 395, 4.2 mi. north of Highway 299, north of Alturas (1300-1500):

California Spreadwing Archilestes californicus 30+ (many tandem pairs photographed, females ovipositing in willows and dogwoods) Photo record, CA Chart #102, OC # 317655

 [a first county record - others’ visits to this reach of the river have been earlier [e.g., July] before they’ve emerged. See above – kb]

American Rubyspot 5
dancer sp. 3 (Vivid/Emma’s-type, not Sooty)
Paddle-tailed darner 1+

Shadow darner 1+
Striped Meadowhawk 8
Flame Skimmer 1

*Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella 1 [last report 2008]

Pond along CR 2, west of Lily Lake, northern Warner Mountains (1530-1615):
**Boreal Bluet Enallagma boreale 1 (male identified in hand) – last report of 2008 & new late date
bluet sp. 1
mosaic darner 60+ (incl. males of both

Paddle-tailed Darner

*Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta) last report 2008
Spotted Spreadwing 2
Striped Meadowhawk 2

Dismal Swamp, northern Warner Mountains (1645-1700):
mosaic darner 1 female

Lily Lake, northern Warner Mountains (1715):
Pacific Forktail 1
Shadow darner 7

September 26, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski
The Living Desert at the Giraffe Savannah Pond, N33.69778 W-116.37369; 9:30, 90F, cloudless, calm.
Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Libellula pulchella  1 male perched and foraging over the exhibit pond.  [photo record, CA Chart #103, OC # 284014]
…….
Monterrey County
Don Roberson
Carmel River mouth (Odello reveg area, requires a permit to enter); 1015-1115 am, warm and sunny
Familiar Bluet 50
Tule Bluet 2
Blue-eyed Darner 30, including ovipositing female
C. Green Darner 30

Cardinal Meadowhawk 6, incl. ovipositing tandem

Variegated Meadowhawk 4, inc. ovipositing tandem

Eight-spotted /Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis/pulchella 1 male photographed….it shows characteristics of both species.

[Several such encounters have occurred this late Summer/early fall….kb]

September 23, 2008

Contra Costa County

Rob Thomas

Hidden Valley/Hidden Lakes Parks, 11:30-12:30, sunny, light breeze, mid-80s 

California/Aztec Dancer – several

Vivid Dancer – 1

Bluets – did not try to identify, but plentiful in areas of exposed aquatic vegetation (including wheels and tandems)

Pacific Forktail – 1

Western Forktail –  2

Common Green Darner – 1 pair ovipositing (plentiful just last week)

Blue-eyed Darner – many, including wheels and ovipositing

Variegated Meadowhawk – many, including ovipositing

Cardinal Meadowhawk – 1, perched near the soccer field

Blue Dasher – 1

Flame Skimmer – few

Black Saddlebags – few, including one tandem

Watched one female bluet for a good five minutes as she sat on a floating leaf and rebuffed numerous males with flicks of the abdomen and spreading of the wings. 

New behavior for me.

September 22, 2008

Alameda County

Alice Cavette

Mission San Jose, her yard

California Spreadwing Archilestes californica – photo of male at http://www.cavette.net/photos/dragonflies.html

September 21, 2008

Imperial County

Gary Suttle
East Highline Canal at Sinclair Road , 8:00-9:30, 75-82 degrees, clear, calm
American Rubyspot  1
Powdered Dancer  20+
Blue-ringed Dancer  12
Familiar Bluet  1
Common Green Darner  3
White-belted Ringtail  4
*Gray Sanddragon Progomphus borealis  1 [last report 2008]
Variegated Meadowhawk  3
Black Saddlebags  1
Wandering glider  1
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Headquarters, 10-11, 86 degrees
Powdered Dancer  10+
Desert Forktail  1
Common Green Darner  4
Blue-eyed Darner  1
Mexican Amberwing  15
Roseate Skimmer  8+
Blue Dasher   10+
Westside Main Canal at Hy 98, 12:30-2:30, 96 degrees, light breeze
Powdered Dancer   
Common Green Darner
Russet-tipped Clubtail Stylurus plagiatus 6+  including two tandems – last report of 2008
White-belted Ringtail  13+ including several tandems
Variegated Meadowhawk
Roseate Skimmer
Tapped the shady side of bushes along a half mile stretch of the east side of the canal (north of HY 98), flushing a raft of 
Powdered Dancers, as well as Common Green Darners, White-belted Ringtails,

Variegated Meadowhawks, and Roseate Skimmers, in a quest for Clubtails.

……..

Inyo County

David Blue

Dirty Socks Spring (near Olanche)

California/Aztec Dancer Argia agrioides/nahuana – 1, ph. F

Paiute Dancer Argia alberta – 6, ph.

Tule/Arroyo Bluet Enallagma carunculatum/praevarum – 15, ph.

Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile – 20, ph.

Desert Forktail Ischnura barberi – 8, ph.

Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis – 1, ph.

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor - 10

Desert Whitetail Plathemis subornata – 1, ph. M [new late date, old date 9/16/1945]

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum - 12

Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata - 1

Cottonwood Marsh (Owen's Lake south of Lone Pine)

California/Aztec Dancer Argia agrioides/nahuana – 100, ph.

Paiute Dancer Argia alberta – 4, ph.

Tule/Arroyo Bluet Enallagma carunculatum/praevarum – 1, ph.

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor – 10

Western Pondhawk Erythemis collocata – 2, ph.

*Comanche Skimmer Libellula comanche – 1 [last report 2008]

Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata – 10

**Desert Whitetail Plathemis subornata – 5, ph., 6 M, 1 F [new late date, old date 9/16/1945]

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum – 8

Mazourka Canyon Road (southeast of Independence)

The “pump” near the canal is almost completely overgrown.

Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile – 1

Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis – 1

Desert Firetail Telebasis salva – 3

September 20, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas oasis and fish ponds; 8:00-11:50, 80-95F, cloudless, light breeze SE.

Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta  1

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  7

*Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata  1 [last report 2008]

Rambur’s Forktail, I. ramburii  25, including 1 wheel.

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  >48, including 5 tandem pairs one ovipositing.

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  20

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  15, including  2 tandem pairs ovipositing.

Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata  8

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  >65

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  >45

Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche  1

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata  2

*Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata  ~26 [last date seen 2008]

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  >40, including 2 tandem pairs and one wheel.

Red Saddlebags, T. onusta  2

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  1

…….

Kern County

David Blue

China Lake Wastewater Treatment Facility (near Ridgecrest)

Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile – 1

Common Green Darner Anax junius – 8

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor – 200+, 7 hanging in one spot

Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata – 2

Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis – 2

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum – 5

Black Saddlebags Tramea lacerata – 1

September 19, 2008

Inyo County

David Blue and Linda Blue

Darwin Falls

Vivid Dancer Argia vivida, 100, ph.

Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor – 2, M & F

Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella – 1, ph. F, lacking dark spots on the wing tips, but having a small amount of faint amber

Flame Skimmer Libellula saturate – 20, ph., M, F

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum – 5, ph., M, F

September 18, 2008

Santa Barbara County

Adam Lewis

Santa Ynez river valley

Sooty Dancer

CA/AZ Dancer

Vivid Dancer

Flame Skimmer

Red Rock Skimmer

September 15, 2008

San Bernardino County

Jim Pike

Zyzzyx Springs (a Cal State University Desert Field Station in northeastern San Bernardino County, south of Interstate 15)

Eight-spotted /Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis/pulchella 1 male photographed

[it shows characteristics of both species. Neither has been recorded in San Bernardino County, but the species can’t be determined

and it might be a hybrid. Several such encounters have occurred this late Summer/early fall….kb]

September 13, 2008

San Diego County

Peter Siminski

State Route 78 in Banner, Elev. 2700’; ~9:00, ~70F, cloudless, light air.

*Giant Darner, Anax walsinghami  1 cruising up and down the highway. – last report 2008

September 12 & 13, 2008

San Diego County

Gary Suttle
Pine Valley Creek, 9:30-2:30 both days, sunny, light breezes, 78-86 degrees
Vivid Dancer  few
Western Forktail  few
Common Green Darner  many (more females than males)
Blue-eyed Darner several (netted and released a female Green Form)
Walker's Darner 6+
Pacific Spiketail 1
Cardinal Meadowhawk 3 (tandem ovipositing)
The trailhead parking area overlooks a tree-lined riparian corridor...at 9:30a.m. many dozens of darners, wings glistening in
the morning light, flew above the trees in the canyon and I counted 20+ in an small clearing next to the creek.   By noon most had
dispersed, apart from the Walker's Darners who went from hawking and jousting in the open, to patrolling nooks and crannies along the
creek.  Had such a marvelous time, returned the following day to see the show again, but there were just a handful of darners to be seen...
an object lesson in the occasional evanescence of sightings!  Only the Walker's numbers remained about the same, scouting the creek in 
their special way. 

September 8, 2008

San Diego County

Gary Suttle
Escondido area, 11:00am-3:00pm, clear, light breeze, 81-88 degrees,
Jack Creek/Dixon Lake:
Black-fronted Forktail
Vivid Dancer
Tule Bluet
Blue-eyed Darner
Common Green Darner
Flame Skimmer
Neon Skimmer M & F ovipositing
Black Saddlebags
Escondido Creek, Elfin Forest:
American Rubyspot
Vivid Dancer
Arroyo Bluet
Flame Skimmer
Red Rock Skimmer
Pale-faced Clubskimmer M & F, ovipositing(? )in tree-shaded creekside muck 
Felicita Creek, Felicita Park:
Vivid Dancer
Flame Skimmer
California Spreadwing Archilestes californicus 

…….
Calaveras County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Natural Bridges off Parrot's Feather Rd, North of Columbia and East of New Melones Reservoir; 12-2:30; 90-100F
American Rubyspot - Dave found one male
Vivid Dancer - abundant, many pairs ovipositing; photos taken
Sooty Dancer - many, some pairs ovipositing; photos taken
Bluet sp - very few, not Tule or Arroyo
Pacific Spiketail - several males patrolling, Dave and I STILL haven't seen a female ovipositing!
Walker's Darner - several males patrolling, again we hoped for a female but found none.
Common Green Darner - 2
Meadowhawk sp - 1-2, red not Black
This is a GORGEOUS spot where a pretty rock-lined creek flows thru a grotto-like cave ~ 100 yds long which you may swim thru! A refreshing and unique situation.

We observed the male Spiketails flying a short ways into the shaded cave - the entrance was the only area with muddy edges - perhaps females oviposit there??

September 7, 2008

San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve, Poway, 2:00-3:00pm, clear, 89 degrees.
Barely flowing spring-fed streamlet that runs for about 130 yards parallel to and south of the descending path from the trailhead. 
*California Spreadwing Archilestes californicus 1M
Vivid Dancer 12+
Black-fronted Forktail 3
Cardinal Meadowhawk 1
Western Pondhawk 

…….
Calaveras County
Kathy & Dave Biggs, Paul Johnson & family, Wendy & Bill Dreskin
Beaver Creek, end of road thru Calaveras Big Trees, ~9 miles off Hwy 4) 10-12, 90F
Vivid Dancer - very few
Bluet sp - very few
Walker's Darner - 1 m ~ every 1000 yds; we hoped for a female but found none.
Common Green Darner - ~12, many feeding while heading fairly consistently down river
This spot was so pretty, it was worth being there even if there weren't many dragonflies! The day before, Dave and Kathy stopped by this spot at ~5 pm for a few minutes and although the creek was totally in the shade, a Walker's male was patrolling.
.......
Alpine County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Lake Alpine, East Shore @ Chickaree Picnic Area by Silver Creek; 4:45-6 pm, 75F, winds up to 20 mph
Variable Darner, Aeshna interrupta, 1 male caught, others suspected to be this species – 2^nd COUNTY VOUCHER, CA Chart #7; OC #283867
Shadow Darner, Aeshna umbrosa, 1 male caught, at least 3 of this species seen - COUNTY VOUCHER, CA Chart #7; OC #283848
Common Green Darner - a couple dozen - both Dave and I 'touched' it with our nets, so it remains a photo record!
Meadowhawk sp - 3 seen, one of each of Western, Striped/White-faced, and Variegated suspected
Other areas explored around the lake had NO odes present (rock edged lake)

.......
Inyo County
David Blue
Dirty Socks Spring (near Olanche)
Paiute Dancer Argia alberta – 30
Tule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum – 30, ph.
Familiar Bluet Enallagma civile – 100, ph.
Desert Forktail Ischnura barberi – 50, ph.
Common Green Darner Anax junius – 4, ph., one emerging
Blue-eyed Darner Rhionaeschna multicolor – 2
Western Pondhawk Erythemis collocata – 1, F
Bleached Skimmer Libellula composita – 2
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata – 2
Desert Whitetail Plathemis subornata – 4
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum – 12, ph., ovipositing, tandem
Cottonwood Marsh (Owen’s Lake south of Lone Pine)
California Dancer Argia agrioides – 10
Vivid Dancer Argia vivida – 10
Comanche Skimmer Libellula comanche – 3
*Bleached Skimmer Libellula composita – 1 [last report 2008]
Flame Skimmer Libellula saturata – 3
Desert Whitetail Plathemis subornata – 3, M, F
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum – 2

September 2/ 3, 2008

Imperial County
Gary Suttle, David Rawlins
Westside Main Canal by I-8 & Hwy 98, Sunbeam Lake near Seeley, West Pond, Senator Wash Reservoir area, & by Laguna Dam, about
8:00am-5:00pm both days, clear to partly cloudy, 85-106 degrees.
American Rubyspot
Powdered Dancer (at every stop, hundreds observed in all)
Blue-ringed Dancer
Familiar Bluet
Double-striped Bluet 6+ (at a spring-fed grassy lawn-like area directly across the road from Laguna Dam, adjacent to an RV park) – Sept. 3 last repot
Black-fronted Forktail
Rambur's Forktail
Citrine Forktail 3+ (same location as Double-striped Bluet)
Common Green Darner
Darner sp.
Russet-tipped Clubtail 1F (off Hwy 98)
White-belted Ringtail 25+
Variegated Meadowhawk
Mexican Amberwing
Red-tailed Pennant
Roseate Skimmer 20+ (numerous along ditch, just after crossing Westside Canal at first bridge, about 2.4 miles down the dirt canal road south of I-8).
Blue Dasher
Western Pondhawk
*Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa [last report 2008]
Comanche Skimmer
Black Saddlebags
Marl Pennant
Spot-winged Glider
Also found several Citrine Forktails in AZ along a grass-lined creeklet draining a small pond at a restoration site in Riverside Park
(adjacent to the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park).

August
 
August 30/31, 2008
Nevada County
Zach Smith 
Washington, 2700 feet, Sierra foothills, rocky river with still water pools along the banks. Large swimming hole just upstream.
Walker's darners - a couple, photos 
Blue-eyed darner - two photos of a female taken
 
August 28, 2008
Glenn County 
Greg Kareofelas
Stony Creek 
Emma’s Dancer Argia emma, CA , M&F specimen collected CA 
 
August 25, 2008
Contra Costa County
Rob Thomas
Briones RP 
*California Darner Rhionaeschna californica - Missed the latest ever date by a few days but had at 
- hundreds of Darners flying that day and it was the only one nice enough to land. [last report 2008]
 
August 24, 2008
Marin County
Dave and Kathy Biggs, & many observers
We taught a dragonfly Seminar at Point Reyes today. 
For the field trip part of the seminar, we went to Five Brooks, where we walked around the pond and accessed the activity from 
about 4 different vantage points around the pond. The pond was abuzz with dragonflies. It was ~80F and little wind. 
Although there were many dragonflies about, we only saw one member of the Libellula genus, and no dancers at all! Also no Pacific Forktails! 
We saw 14 species 
Spotted Spreadwing - pair in tandem ovipositing, assumed to be this species 
Northern/Boreal Bluet - quite a few 
Arroyo Bluet - 1 m in hand 
Western Forktail -quite a few 
Pacific Spiketail - one photographed 
Blue-eyed Darner – 1 male-colored female in hand, quite a few flying 
Common Green Darner -quite a few flying 
Western Pondhawk - 1 f seen well; possibly many males on the pond 
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 1 male 
Blue Dasher - several seen 
Variegated Meadowhawk - a few seen 
Cardinal Meadowhawk - pairs in tandem, tandem ovipositing, males in conflict & obelisking 
Striped Meadowhawk - 1 or 2 assumed to be this species 
Black Saddlebags - many in flight 
The day started out foggy, so we were really really glad that the sun came out so nicely.
…….

San Bernardino County

Peter Siminski

Barker Dam, Joshua Tree National Park, Elev. 4250'; 9:00-10:50, 85-95F, cloudless, light air.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  3

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  2

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  5

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  3

Note:  The pond is reduced to about ~10' x 40', a few inches deep and thick with algae. 

Eight desert bighorn resting in the shade, high up on the rocks.

…….
Santa Clara County
Steve Rottenborn

Coyote Creek County Park Other odes in the same area that day included:

bluet spp. (including Tule, Arroyo, and possibly others) 30

California/Aztec Dancers 5

Western Forktails 3

Pacific Forktail 1

*Western River Cruiser Macromia magnifica  - 1 (repeatedly cruising up & down a backwater of Coyote Creek ~ 400 m downstream from Anderson Dam) – last report

Common Green Darner 1

Flame Skimmers 2

Cardinal Meadowhawks 2

August 23, 2008

San Diego County

Douglas Aguillard

Tijuana River Valley, Dairy Mart Ponds:

Common Green Darner

Red Saddlebags

Black Saddlebags

A&G Sod farms:

Black-fronted Forktail

Common Green Darner

Variegated Meadowhawk

Bird & Butterfly Garden:

Common Green Darner

South San Diego Bay

Wandering Glider

Flinn Springs County Park

Vivid Dancer

Neon Skimmer

Pine Creek, near Pine Valley

Vivid Dancer

Walker's Darner X3

…….

San Diego County

Peter Siminski

Doane Pond, Palomar Mountain State Park, Elev. 4700'; 10:20-12:00, 75-85F, cloudless, gentle breeze E

*Northern Bluet, Enallagma annexum  4 (1 in-hand) [last report 2008]

Western Forktail, Ischnura perparva 7

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  4

Mosaic Darner sp.  4

Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum  8

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  4

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 9

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  ~10 including two tandem pairs.

 
August 22, 2008
Santa Barbara County
Nick Lethaby 
EL Capitan State Beach Park 

*Great Spreadwings Archilestes grandis - 2

……. 
Sonoma County
Dave and Kathy Biggs
We lead a trip to Spring Lake for the Laguna Docents.
We had fine weather, upper 80s with a slight breeze. 
Despite our worries, quite a few species made a show, but none in large #s.
We saw 13 of the 28 species recorded there:
Northern Bluet - m in hand
Pacific Forktail - m in hand
Western Forktail - m in hand
Blue-eyed Darner - m in flight
Common Green Darner - in flight
Western Pondhawk - 1 f flyby
*Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis - quick glimpse – last report of 2008]
Widow Skimmer - 1m at end of trip
*Common Whitetail Libellula/Plathemis lydia - 1m quick glimpse [last report of 2008]
Flame Skimmer - several males
Blue Dasher - m in hand, f solo ovipositing
Cardinal Meadowhawk - pairs in tandem, tandem ovipositing, males in conflict
Black Saddlebags- 1 m
 
August 21, 2008
Imperial County
Bob Miller
Finney Lake
Spent an hour and a half at sunset focus on birding.  Odonates observed were only the obvious ones and did not do any in depth searching.  
Western Pondhawk were numerous as were 
Common Green Darner.  Most obvious were gliders!  Several hundred in all.  
10x binoculars are about worthless for trying to view active gliders from the side in that kind of light.  
No way to get a net out to them.  Hard as I tried I could never convince myself I was positive of what most of them were!  
Spot-winged Glider - Only two of them were positively IDed and that is as far as I will go
 
August 17, 2008
San Diego County
Douglas Aguillard
Lindo Lake, Lakeside, CA (East end creek)
Common Green Darner 5m
Flame Skimmer 3m
Mexican Amberwing 5m 1f
Western Pondhawk 2m 2f
Blue Dasher 20+
California Dancer 4
Tule Bluet 7
Western Forktail 3
Desert Firetail 3
Santee Lakes, Santee, CA (north end Lake #5)
Common Green Darner 4m 1f
Mexican Amberwing 12m 1f
Red-tailed Pennant 1m
Flame Skimmer 1m
Western Pondhawk 1m
Black Saddlebags 1m
Blue Dasher
 

August 16, 2008

Shasta County

Ray Bruun 
Summit Lake 
didn't pay attention to damsels
*Shadow Darner Aeshna umbrosa – photo taken of female ovipositing

August 13, 2008

Colusa County

Cary Kerst

Bear Creek

Got there a little before 8 am and the Green Darners and Saddlebags were feeding already.

I really wanted to see Giant Darners, but they didn't show up until about 10:45. I saw 3, I think, between 10:45 and 11:30 and not another.

I left at 1:30 pm so not many for over 5 hours. I did finally get a net on one though. Heres a list of what I found, common names this time!!

Giant Darner

Common Green Darner

Blue-eyed Darner

Variegated Meadowhawk

Flame Skimmer

Red Rock Skimmer, only 1

Black Saddlebags

White-belted Ringtail

Pale-faced Clubskimmer

Eight-spotted Skimmer

American Rubyspot

California Dancer

Sooty Dancer

Familiar Bluet

Boreal Bluet

Tule Bluet

Pacific Forktail

Desert Forktail, only 1

Things really tapered off at about noon when it got really hot. The air is not great either with all of the fires.

There were fire trucks going up the valley road and helicopters flying over too.

…….

Los Angeles County

Garry Suttle

Piru Creek off the Grapevine/Interstate 5

* *Serpent Ringtail Erpetogomphus lampropeltis.  Took a picture around noon.  The superlative Serpent flew with lightning speed, and then perched on a nearby rock for perfect viewing! [only report 2008]

…….

Siskiyou County

Cary Kerst

Shasta River

The Gomphids are gone for this year …. Here’s the list of species found:

R. multicolor

A. junius

Libellula saturata

L luctuosa

L. forensis

H. americana

Argia vivida

E. carunculatum

I. perparva

Gumboot Lake

I stopped next at Gumboot and it was hot and slow there also. I did check the Darlingtonia fen and saw no Tanypteryx. Heres what I found::

Argia vivida

E. boreale

L. disjunctus

Anax junius

A. interrupta

S. albicincta

L. pulchella

Colusa County

Staying the night at Colusa/Sacramento River State Park. Its nice and warm (103), but nobody seems to be camping? Feeding in the openings:

A. junius

R. multicolor

T. lacerata

August 11, 2008

Mono County

Ron & Barbara Oriti 
Owens River at Benton Crossing, which is to the east of Hot Creek.   
Great Basin Snaketails, many, including a couple tandem pairs
The big meadow at Hot Creek Bridge.  

Ron was getting ready to photograph a pretty female Desert Whitetail, when all of a sudden she fell to the ground struggling and fluttering all over the place,

then she was quiet.  We didn't know what was going on, until we saw a Robber Fly on top of her, then we knew. 

The big fly had speared the poor whitetail in the thorax, and as she was way too big for him to carry off, they landed on the ground and he was eating her! 

Unlike dragonflies, Robber Flies don't 'eat' their prey, they just suck the juices out.  We were amazed, and really felt sorry for the poor dragonfly, but yes,

Ron did get photos of this. We saw the same species again at this site on the 18^th & 22^nd.  On the 22^nd we saw another Robber Fly get another dragonfly, this time a male Desert Whitetail!   Ron got photos.

August 7, 2008

Mariposa County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Yosemite, McGurk Meadow

Saw a couple yellow and blacks flying, but they wouldn't sit, so don't know if they were Petaltails or not.      

Watched an interesting dragonfly patrol the quiet waters of McGurk Creek. 

The thorax was rather dark, the abdomen also kind of darkish, with possible narrow rings??  

I think this is what I saw, but he never sat.  I would just start to get a good focus on him when he hovered, but then he'd zoom off again. 

What was really neat though was his face and eyes  ---  they were really green!   This was especially noticeable whenever he flew towards me.  I couldn't stop watching, that green was so pretty! [This certainly sounds like a Ringed Emerald!  But it is way south of known distribution – KB]

----- CalOdes/ DSA Ode Blitz 2008 – Modoc County, CA (running species count #s)

Kathy & Dave Biggs; Doug Aguillard & Pat Sherman; Ray & Steven Bruun; Karen DeMello & Jan Hintermaster; Gary Suttle; David & Linda Blue; Chris Heaivilin; George Sappington; Paul Johnson; Rob Santry

Friday, Day 1 – August 8;

Plumas County: (7 species found – Doug and Pat)

Willow Lake (August 7 & 8)

1. Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus)

2. Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener)

3. Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida)

4. Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum)

5. Black-fronted Forktail (Ischnura denticollis)

6. Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta)

7.   *White-faced Meadowhawk  (Sympetrum obtrusum) [last report 2008]

Lassen County: (18 species found)

Small pond in, 1.8 miles from Adin on Ash Valley Road 

8.    *Emerald Spreadwing (Lestes dryas) [last report 2008]

9.    *Lyre-tipped Spreadwing (Lestes unguiculatus) [last report 2008]

10. Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula)

11. Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva)

12. Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

13. Mosaic Darner sp. (Aeshna)

14. 12-spotted Skimmer  (Libellula pulchella)

15. Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)

16. Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

17.  * Red-veined Meadowhawk (Sympetrum madidum) [last report 2008]

18. Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes)

  Ash Creek Campground

19. American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana)

20. River Bluet (Enallagma anna)

21. Northern/Boreal Bluet (Enallagma annexum/boreale)

Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva)

Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

22. Walker’s Darner (Aeshna walkeri)

23. Great Basin Snaketail (Ophiogomphus morrisoni)

24.   *Grappletail  (Octogomphus specularis) [LAST REPROT 2008]

25. Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis) (still only a sight record for Lassen)

Modoc County: +=1^st time encountered by us in Modoc  (38 species found)

Ash Creek @ Hwy 299

+Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum)

26.  * Paddle-tailed Darner (Aeshna palmata) [last report 2008]

Rush Creek @ Hwy 299 (first bridge NE of Adin)

27.   *Emma’s Dancer (Argia emma)

+ Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

Darner sp. – not Anax (Aeshna/Rhionaeschna)

28.  *+  Hoary Skimmer (Libellula nodisticta) [last report 2008]

29. Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

+ Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

Slough Reservoir

+  Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva)

+  Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta)

30. 8-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis)

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

Bluet sp.

NF Pit River, about 8 mi N of Alturas, 5:45-6:30, 78-81F

31. River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis)

32. American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana)

33. Aztec Dancer (Argia agrioides)

Emma’s Dancer (Argia emma)

34. Sooty Dancer (Argia lugens)

35. Snaketail sp (on 10^th found Pale Snaketail at this same spot) (Ophiogomphus severus)

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)
Saturday, Day 2 – August 9

Modoc County:
Sand Creek upstream of 49 Road (aka CR-18) 41.60771° -120.01546° [16 species!]

+  Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus)

 Emma’s Dancer (Argia emma)

+ Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida)

     + River Bluet (Enallagma anna)

36. Northern Bluet (Enallagma annexum)

    +  Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula)

Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva)

  Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

  Darner sp. . (Aeshna/Rhionaeschna/Anax)

  Pale Snaketail  (Ophiogomphus severus)

37. Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata)

   8-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis)

+  12-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)

 v+  Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)

38.   *Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae) [last report 2008]

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

Leonard's Hot Spring

Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata)

39. Comanche Skimmer (Libellula comanche)

40. Bleached Skimmer (Libellula composita)

41. Desert Whitetail (Plathemis subornata)

Seyferth Hot Spring [aka “Sacrifice Hot Spring”!] 

42. Pauite Dancer (Argia alberta)

+  Black-fronted Forktail (Ischnura denticollis)

Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata)

Comanche Skimmer (Libellula comanche)

Bleached Skimmer (Libellula composita)

Hoary Skimmer (Libellula nodisticta)

12-sptotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

Creek @ Rd. into Fee Reservoir

+  Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener)

43. Western Red Damsel– (Amphiagrion abbreviatum) below outlet

*River Bluet  (Enallagma anna)- below outlet [last date report 2008]

Aeshna sp. – below outlet

Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva)

Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis)

Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) (also seen on Lake Shore)

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

Glider species (Pantala) - might have been seen

Sunday, Day 3 – August 10

Modoc County:
Modoc NWR – this site visited the day before by Paul

Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum)

Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula)Black-fronted Forktail (Ischnura denticollis)

44. Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile)

      Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis)

Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)

Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae)

45.  +  Cherry-face Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)(seen by Paul Johnson on Aug.9) [last date seen 2008]

       Striped Meadowhawk (Sympetrum pallipes)

SF Pit River E of Likely, MM #3.3; 41.23° N 120.43688° W

v Emma’s Dancer (Argia emma) [last report 2008]

    Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener)

Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva)

Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

+ Great Basin Snaketail (Ophiogomphus morrisoni)  – upgrade of sight only COUNTY RECORD  OC#283581

 Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

SF Pit River E of Likely, further upstream

Great Basin Snaketail (Ophiogomphus morrisoni)  -common

Green Darner (Anax junius)

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

Clear Lake

bluet sp. (Enallagma)

Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta)

46. Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor)

Paddle-tailed Darner (Aeshna palmata)

47.   + American Emerald (male) (Cordulia shurtleffii)

Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)

meadowhawk sp. (Sympetrum)

Mill Creek (2 separate stops, one near Clear Lake, one much lower on river where sandbars found)

Western Red Damsel (Amphiagrion abbreviatum)

      Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida)

            Bluet sp. (Enallagma)

      Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis) (still only a sight record for Modoc)

+Great Basin Snaketail (Ophiogomphus morrisoni) – last report of 2008

+ **Pale Snaketail (Ophiogomphus severus) – last report of 2008 * new late flight date by 2+ wks

Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

American Emerald (Cordulia shurtleffii)

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)
Monday, Day 4 – August 11, 2008

Modoc County:

Goose Lake @ Stateline Rd.

damsel sp.

48. Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata)

Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis)

Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)

Black Meadowhawk (Sympetrum danae)

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)

Pond below Lily Lake – 41.9899° N 120.23993° W

*Northern Spreadwing (Lestes disjunctus) [last date report 2008]

* Western Red Damsel (Amphiagrion abbreviatum)  [last date report 2008]

Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula)

Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva)

Variable Darner  (Aeshna interrupta)

Paddle-tailed Darner  (Aeshna palmata)

Blue-eyed Darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor)

Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

American Emerald (Cordulia shurtleffii) OC#283590

49.   +*Mountain Emerald (Somatochlora semicircularis) – upgrade of photo COUNTY RECORD OC#283589 - [last date report 2008]

+* Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata) [last date report 2008]

Eight/twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis/pulchella)

Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)

Lily Lake off Highgrade Rd.

Bluet sp. (Enallagma)

Blue-eyed Darner  (Rhionaeschna multicolor)

Common Green Darner (Anax junius)

Western/Band-winged Meadowhawk (Sympetrum semicinctum occidentale)

BLITZ END------

 
August 5, 2008
Siskiyou County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Orr Lake, near Bray, off a FS road off Hwy 97, north of Weed; 5-6 pm 83F
(we were there mainly to collect some pondweed for our pond, but did notice these dragonflies)
Northern Spreadwing
Spreadwing sp - others possible
No/Bo Bluets
Bluet sp - others possible
Pacific Forktail
Western Forktail
Blue-eyed Darner
Darner sp - others possible
8-spotted Skimmer
4-spotted Skimmer
Western Pondhawk
Blue Dasher
Western Meadowhawk
Black Meadowhawk
Striped Meadowhawk
 

August 4, 2008

Mono County

Ron & Barbara Oriti 
Owens River at Benton Crossing, which is to the east of Hot Creek.   
Great Basin Snaketails, and as they were perching on the ground, that made it difficult to get good photos.     
The big meadow at Hot Creek Bridge.  
Variegated Meadowhawks – tons of them, from absolutely just emerged to very old.  It was really interesting to see how their colors change over time!
 

August 3, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Lake Fulmor, San Jacinto Mountains, Elev. 5370'; 10:15-11:50, ~75F, cloudless, calm to light air.

Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum  >75 (3 in-hand), several wheels.

Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula  >40

Common Green Darner, Anax junius    4

Rhionaeschna sp.  >20

Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum  13

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  4

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata 12

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  6

Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens 1

August 2, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Thousand Palms Oasis, Coachella Valley Preserve; 8:40-10:15, 85-95F, 30% altocumulus, gentle breeze SE.

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida  12

White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus  1

Neon Skimmer, Libellula croceipennis  2

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata  5

Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata  1

…….

Tulare County

David Blue

Great Basin Snaketail - at Monache Meadow (F, photographed)

*Bison Snaketail - at Monache Meadow (2, photographed) [last report 2008]

 
August 1, 2008
Imperial County
Douglas Aguillard
West Main Canal-West of Calexico:
The average temp was 104 in the a,m, and then finally kicked off at 
112 by 1:30 p.m., and I left for the 70's along the coast.
Powdered Dancers
Blue Dashers
Mexican Amberwing
Russet-tipped Clubtails
Brimstone Clubtail (possible)
Wandering Glider
Holtville Hot Springs:
Now this was the real surprise, I have been going to this next spot 
for years, and it's usually just okay for Odes, but today was kicking 
with many new species that I've never seen at this spring.
Powdered Dancers
Desert Forktails
Familiar Bluets
Blue Dashers
Western Pondhawks
Mexican Amberwings
White-belted Ringtails
Roseate Skimmers
Widow Skimmers
Comanche Skimmers
Wandering Gliders
Sonny Bono NWR Hdqts.
Comanche Skimmer
Blue Dashers
 
 

July

July 31, 2008
Imperial County
John Sterling 
Homeland Canal

*Brimstone Clubtail Stylurus intricatus - 1 photographed – last report of 2008

 
July 26/31, & August 4, 2008
Placer County
Bruce Webb
Granite Bay
On July 26, I noticed an ode with the bright red-orange abdomen fly through my back yard and not reappear.  
I thought might be a male Neon Skimmer, but there was too much happening at the time to pursue it. 
Flame Skimmers are regular at my small (4x5 ft.) pond in my front yard, as well as Blue Dashers.
Yesterday, I saw it again.  This time it circled and landed near the
pond in my front yard.  It had the distinctive bright abdomen and I looked
for and saw the reduced orange in the wings.
It was 2 years ago, almost to the day, when I saw the first and only other
male Neon Skimmer here which was the first PLA county record.   
If anybody wants to look for this one, I can provide updates and directions.  
The elevation here is about 260 ft and Granite Bay is near Folsom Lake in the
Sierra Nevada foothills.
So heads up, there must be more in Northern California ponds.
…….
Doug Vaughan & Doris K (road trip) 
Sierra County
Vivid Dancer (A. vivida) -- Widespread 
Paddle-tailed Darner (A. palmata) -- 1 in hand at Goodyear's Creek
Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- Widespread
American Emerald (Cordulia shurtleffii) -- Only 1, at Lower Spencer Lake in the Lakes Basin 
Four-spotted Skimmer (L. quadrimaculata) -- Fairly com
Western Band-winged Meadowhawk (S. semicinctum occidental) – Widespread
Eight-spotted Skimmer (L. forensis) – Widespread
Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) -- 1 in hand at Goodyear's Creek
Plumas County
*Taiga Bluet (Coenagrion resolutum) -- One in hand at Upper Hellgrammite Lake in the Lakes Basin – JULY 30 ONLY report of 2008
Boreal Bluet (E. boreale) -- Identified in hand only at Willow Lake 
Northern/Boreal-type bluets com and widespread
Vivid Dancer (A. vivida) -- Widespread
Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula) -- Noticed only at Willow Lake
Paddle-tailed Darner (A. palmata) -- 2 in hand at Willow Lake
Variable Darner (Aeshna interrupta) -- 1 in hand at Upper Hellgrammite Lake in the Lakes Basin
Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- Widespread
*Crimson-ringed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia glacialis) -- 1 in hand at Long Lake; several at Upper Hellgrammite Lake [last report 2008]
Twelve-spotted Skimmer (L. pulchella) -- 1 male and several females at Grassy Lake 
Four-spotted Skimmer (L. quadrimaculata) -- Fairly com
White-faced Meadowhawk (S. obtrusum) -- Fairly com at Willow Lake
Western Band-winged Meadowhawk (S. semicinctum occidental) – Widespread
Eight-spotted Skimmer (L. forensis) -- Widespread
Lassen County
** River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis) -- a couple at Ash Creek [new late date]
American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) -- Fairly com at Ash Creek
Vivid Dancer (A. vivida) -- Widespread 
Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula) -- Noticed at Willow Creek WA.
Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- Widespread
Walker's Darner (A. walkeri) -- Identified in hand at Ash Creek
Grappletail (Octogomphus specularis) -- Perhaps 10 at Ash Creek, most downstream of bridge below campground; most females
Great Basin Snaketail (Ophiogomphus morrisoni) -- 3 or 4 at Ash Creek.
Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis) -- 1 or 2 at Ash Creek
*Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (S. internum) -- A male and a female in hand from Willow Creek WA. 6 Aug
Western Band-winged Meadowhawk (S. semicinctum occidentale) -- Widespread. The density of meadowhawks, mostly this 
species, at Dorris Lake was astonishing. On one small (three-foot- high) sagebrush, for example, I counted 17 perched dragonflies 
-- with  nearly as many on the next one.
Striped Meadowhawk (S. pallipes) -- 1 individual at Ash Creek
Eight-spotted Skimmer (L. forensis) – Widespread
Flame Skimmer (L. saturata) -- A brief, distant, and thus equivocal sighting at Ash Creek
Modoc County
River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis) -- Fairly com on the Pit River n. of 299
American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) -- Fairly com on the Pit River n. of 299 and at Co Rd 84
Emma's Dancer (Argia emma) -- Com on the Pit River at Co Rd 84.
Sooty Dancer (A. lugens) -- Fairly com on the Pit River n. of 299.
Vivid Dancer (A. vivida) – Widespread
River Bluet (Enallagma anna) -- One in hand at Ash Creek (among many bluets)
Tule Bluet (E. carunculatum) -- Identified in hand at the Pit River at Co Rd 84
Pacific Spiketail (Cordulegaster dorsalis) -- 1 or 2 on the Pit River at Co Rd 84, and along Warner Creek
Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- Widespread
Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) -- A few fresh, handsome individuals at Dorris Reservoir
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (S. internum) -- A male and a female in hand  from the Pit River just n. of Alturas
Western Band-winged Meadowhawk (S. semicinctum occidental) – Widespread
Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) -- Abundant at Seyferth Hot Springs
Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) -- I saw only 1, on the Pit River at Co Rd 84
Desert Whitetail (P. subornata) -- 3 or 4 at Seyferth Hot Springs
Comanche Skimmer (Libellula comanche) -- A dozen or so at Seyferth Hot Springs
Eight-spotted Skimmer (L. forensis) – Widespread
 
July 29, 2008
Alameda County
Graham Arlen
Oakland hills
Pacific Spiketail - appeared yesterday on my patio in the Oakland hills, far from 
any water or creeks, in my front yard.
 

July 28, 2008

San Diego County

Gary Suttle

Clevenger Canyon, Santa Ysabel Creek, 12:15-1:30, warm, clear.

Vivid Dancer

California Dancer

*Lavender Dancer  1 [last report of 2008]

Arroyo Bluet

Black-fronted Forktail

Gray Sanddragon 1

 
July 27, 2008
Contra Costa County
Chris Heaivilin
Mt. Diablo State Park
Despite the warm temps we've been getting this summer, there wasn't much to photograph up at pine pond.  
I DID manage to photograph a 
*Walker's Darner (A. walkeri).  Photos are here:
http://gigan.kaijuisland.com/compendium_odonata
…….
San Mateo County
Paul Saraceni
Pescadero Creek east of Sequoia Flat camping area (nr. Creek Trail footbridge):
California/Aztec Dancer sp. 1 m.
Vivid Dancer 2
Bison Snaketail 1
RED ROCK SKIMMER Paltothemis lineatipes 1 f. (ovipositing into pool adjacent to the Creek) [new sight record, CA chart # 58]
 
July 26, 2008 

Maricopa County

Ron & Barbara Oriti
Yosemite, McGurk Meadow    
*Black Petaltail Tanypteryx hageni – photo of a female taken [this is the most southern site for this species- kb] – last report of 2008
There were a lot of other dragonflies flying around, but not sitting, so could not ID them.
…….
San Mateo County
Paul Saraceni
Pescadero Creek west of Sequoia Flat camping area
… during a family camping trip to Memorial Park in San Mateo County, I had the opportunity to do some wading and searching for odes in Pescadero Creek. 
This ~500 acre park contains many acres of old-growth redwoods with good access to the Creek. It is approximately 10 miles inland from Hwy. 1 along
 Pescadero Rd., near the hamlet of Linda Mar. While there was low ode diversity during my 2 hrs. of walking the Creek, I observed 2 uncommon species 
(Damsel, Snaketail) for San Mateo Co. and 2 potential new County records, albeit sight-only records.
Vivid Dancer 20+
*Exclamation Damsel Zoniagrion exclamationis 1 m. -last report of 2008 
Pacific Spiketail 2 (including 1 f. ovipositing near edge of Creek)
WESTERN RIVER CRUISER Macromia magnifica 1 m. (gray eyes and arched, clubbed abdomen observed well as the Cruiser repeatedly patrolled low over a section of the Creek, 
occasionally passing within a few feet of where I stood in the Creek) [new sight record, CA chart # 58] 
 
July 24, 2008 

Inyo County

Ron & Barbara Oriti
Canal east of the Laws Railroad Museum, about 5 miles northeast of Bishop, off Highway 6.  The canal crosses Silver Canyon Road.   
There are also meadows and lots of willows there.  
*Olive Clubtail Stylurus olivaceus – perhaps other Clubtails – last report of 2008
Green Darner
Mosaic Darners, including Blue-eyed and Paddle-tailed, perhaps others
Twelve-spotted Skimmer Libellula pulchella – male, new county photo record; CA Chart #100; OC # 283275
Eight-spotted Skimmer
Flame Skimmer
Blue Dasher
Western Pondhawk
Spot-winged Glider and possibly a Wandering Glider too
Western Meadowhawk - great numbers, perhaps 50 in a 12 ft diameter! Other species were feeding on them.
Variegated Meadowhawk
Black Saddlebags – a lot
 
July 23, 2008 

San Diego County

Gary Suttle
Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve, Escondido Creek, 1:00-2:45pm,
sunny, light breezes, 82 degrees. A short ways upstream and downstream from the concrete creek crossing.
American Rubyspot 1F
Vivid Dancer lots
Arroyo Bluet 6 including wheel (2 in hand)
Bluet sp.
Mosaic Darner sp.
Grey Sanddragon 1
Blue Dasher several
Flame Skimmer 6
Red Rock Skimmer 12+ ovipositing observed
Pale-faced Clubskimmer 8+
……. 

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis
American River, Glenbrook Park access
*Olive Clubtail Stylurus olivaceus - they are just starting to come out.  The first one I saw was a brief but very close flyby along the river's edge.  
It appeared to be mature, but all subsequent ones I saw were tenerals (four in one relatively small stretch of shoreline) that flew up upon my approach
and headed for the tree tops behind me.  I obviously didn't see much on these, but I looked around on the shore from which they came and found a few 
fresh exuviae that key out to olivaceus, so that must have been what they were.
…….
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti

Silver Canyon Canal

Wandering Glider - possible.  Have a photo.
…….
Madera County
Ron & Barbara Oriti
Devil's Postpile - The middle fork of the San Joaquin River 
As soon as we got to the river, we spotted a medium large dragonfly perching, but across the river, of course.  
He was just a little bit too far away for me to be able to identify him, but he was definitely yellow and black.
There were some more yellow and black 'flies patrolling the river, but they weren't sitting, so I'm not sure what they were, either. 
We finally did find one perching in a bush, in the hanging position, and Ron got photos.    Also, there were some unmistakable 
Western Red Damselflies in the meadows  --  very pretty!
 

July 21, 2008
San Diego County

Gary Suttle
Dos Picos County Park 
Spotted Spreadwing
Pacific Forktail
Tule Bluet (in hand)
Desert Firetail
Common Green Darner
Cardinal Meadowhawk
Variegated Meadowhawk
Blue Dasher
Western Pondhawk
Common Whitetail
Flame Skimmer
Black Saddlebags
Red Saddlebags

July 20, 2008
San Diego County

Doug Aguillard

Florida Canyon, Balboa Park, San Diego

Neon Skimmer male - http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/Dragonfly_Pages/neon_skimmer.htm

…….
Colusa County

Tim Manolis leading Dan Brown, Cathie LaZier, and Zach Smith on a Sacramento Audubon field trip to look for dragonflies

Bear Creek From about 9:30 a.m. to about 1 p.m. - Bear Valley Road between the intersection of Highways 20 and 16 and where

Wilbur Springs Road intersects Bear Valley Road.  Weather was mostly sunny, with mild temperatures and a variable breeze. 

We saw:

American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) -- about 20 or at various spots along the creek.

Sooty Dancer (Argia lugens) -- 50, various spots along the creek.

Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida) -- a few seen, perhaps 5-10.

California/Aztec Dancers (Argia agrioides and/or Argia nahuana) -- 20+ seen, the only male netted was A. agrioides.

Tule Bluet (Enallagma carunculatum) -- 150

Northern Bluet (Enallagma annexum) -- 50 (presumably this, 2 males netted, but other bluets possible)

Western Forktail (Ischnura perparva) -- 10

Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula) -- 30

Black-fronted Forktail (Ischnura denticollis) -- 4

Common Green Darner (Anax junius) -- 50

Giant Darner (Anax walsinghami) -- 6; the main target of the trip, and they did not disappoint. 

The highlight of the trip was when a big male flew over our heads carrying a male White-belted Ringtail,

then landed in streamside brush at eye level and proceeded to leisurely devour the gomphid! 

Dan and Zach snapped a bunch of pics at close range of a magnificent odonate that rarely lands and allows such close views. 

As seems typical of odes eating odes, it started on the head, then munched on the thorax, and finished by consuming the abdomen. 

When the only things left were wings, the giant dropped these and sailed off in what seemed like a single motion.

White-belted Ringtail (Erpetogomphus compositus) -- 10

Gray Sanddragon (Progomphus borealis) -- 4

Western River Cruiser (Macromia magnifica) -- 12

Western Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) -- 3

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) -- 1 female

Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) -- 1

Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) -- 2

Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) -- 100 or so, they were everywhere

Pale-faced Clubskimmer (Brechmorhoga mendax) -- 14

Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) -- 100s (many seen along roads and highways en route to the area, too);

the second most common dragonfly seen all day.

Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) -- the most abundant dragonfly in the area, by far.  Not only were they common along the creek,

including patrolling males, but swarms were foraging out over roads and open country en route; we must have seen a 1000 or more all day.

Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) -- I had a good look at just one for sure, but there were probably modest-to-good numbers in with

the Spot-winged swarms.

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) -- 20-30, in with the glider swarms. 

Dan Brown has posted some images of the trip at his website:

http://naturestoc.smugmug.com/gallery/5484557_W4ysj/1/335382075_x2gsW#336280569_yTu45

…….

Lassen County

John Sterling & daughters

Blue Lake in southern Warner Mtns

No Spiny Baskettail, but many dragonflies were flying beyond my ability to identify them

American Emerald—1 photographed

Eight-spotted Skimmer—2

Four-spotted Skimmer—4

*Variable Darner Aeshna interrupta—2

Pacific Forktail—100+

Western Forktail—50+

Ranch west of Madeline
*Dot-tailed Whiteface Leucorrhinia intacta —4 – last report of 2008

Cardinal Meadowhawk—2

Common Green Darner—2

Eight-spotted Skimmer—10

Common Whitetail—2

Western Pondhawk—6
Ash Creek Campground east of Adin

Great Basin Snaketail—4

Grappletail—20+

Pacific Spiketail—1 cruising by, no photograph

River Bluet—2

American Rubyspot—2

River Jewelwing—1

Modoc County

Day (hamlet in sw corner of Modoc)

Pacific Spiketail—1 cruising by, no photograph

Black Saddlebags—2

Flame Skimmer—1

Western Pondhawk—4

July 19, 2008
San Francisco County
Don Roberson & Rita [Doug Vaughan there too]
AT&T Park for a Giant’s game - a bright, sunny day. 
… the humid air over the field  level seats was filled with gliders -- both 
Wandering & Spot-winged Gliders  -- perhaps a dozen of each. Plus one 
Blue-eyed Darner for a 3 ode day at the Baseball field.
…….
Modoc County

John Sterling & daughters

Dismal Swamp north of County Road 2 on north side of Warner Mtns

Mountain Emerald Somatochlora semicirularis — 1 netted, plus another 6 not netted; COUNTY RECORD, CA chart # 66. OC #283254

Crimson-ringed Whiteface—30+ (several netted and checked for Belted Whiteface)

Western Red Damsel—2

Lily Lake in Warner Mtns

American Emerald (netted)

Blue-eyed Darner—5

Four-spotted Skimmer—4

Small Pond just upslope from Lily Lake

Crimson-ringed Whiteface Leucorrhinia glacialis —2

3 Springs Ranch on sw corner of Goose Lake

Lyre-tipped Spreadwing—3 netted LIFER

Eight-spotted Skimmer—30+

Hoary Skimmer—1

Western Pondhawk—10

*Saffron-winged Meadowhawk Sympetrum costiferum—4 [last report 2008]

Hot springs south of Eagleville in Surprise Valley

Desert Whitetail—2

Common Whitetail—6

Comanche Skimmer—4

Four-spotted Skimmer—4

Western Pondhawk—10

East of Eagleville in marsh

*Black Meadowhawk Sympetrum danae—1

July 18, 2008
Imperial County
Doug Aguillard
West Main Canal west of Calexico- It started at 104 F; I left at 114F
…I arrived at the I immediately started working the shady side of the bushes and had many uncooperative 
Brimstone Clubtails Stylurus intricatus, and one 
*Russet-tipped Clubtail Stylurus plagiatus. 
There was also many
Powered Dancers, but that was it at this location. 
The only other Ode I saw was a female 
Comanche Skimmer at the Sonny Bono NWR Hdqts.
Brimstone - http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/Dragonfly_Pages/Brimstone.htm
Russet-tipped - http://sdbirds.basiclink.com/russet.htm
……. 
Lassen and Modoc Counties
Ray Bruun, George Sappington
Ash Creek Campground in Lassen County (south of Adin) and the following locations in Modoc County: 
Hwy 299 at Pit River crossing SE of Canby; small pond on Hwy 299 a few miles east of Hwy 395; Leonard's Hot Spring; and Seyferth Hot Spring.
Lassen County
Ash Creek:
River Jewelwing - 1 male
American Rubyspot - several
Vivid Dancer - several
River Bluet - 1 male, possibly some females
Western Forktail - several
Common Green Darner - 1
Grappletail - many
*Pacific Clubtail Gomphus kurilis – several – last report of 2008
Great Basin Snaketail - many
Western River Cruiser - poss. (brief glimpse)
Variegated Meadowhawk - at least one (they're like starlings, hard to remember)
Common Whitetail - 1
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - several females
Four-spotted Skimmer - several
Black Saddlebags – 2
Modoc County
Pitt @ 299 SW of Canby  -- very few odes
Lyre-tipped Spreadwing - 1
Vivid Dancer - several
other Dancers - female Emma's ? - several
Pacific Clubtail - 1
?? Snaketail - 1 (I got a look from three or four feet away -- seemed to be a Sinuous Snaketail -- it was not there when I came back
 with the camera).  Also think there was a
Twelve-spotted Skimmer or two -- we did not spend much time here because the activity was so low
Small pond along 299 a few miles east of junction w/Hwy 395:
Emerald Spreadwing - several
Lyre-tipped Spreadwing - several
Bluet species - several
Blue-eyed Darner - 1
Dot-tailed Whiteface - 2
Western Meadowhawk - common
Striped Meadowhawk - several
I believe there were Twelve-spotted Skimmers here too
Seyferth Hot Springs:
Paiute Dancer - fairly common
Black-fronted Forktail - common
Western Forktail - a few
*Pale Snaketail Ophiogomphus severus - 3
Western Pondhawk - common
Blue Dasher - thought I saw one, but could have been mistaken
Common Whitetail - common
Desert Whitetail - common
Comanche Skimmer - very common
Bleached Skimmer - 1 male
Eight-spotted Skimmer - several
Hoary Skimmer - several
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - several
Leonard's Hot Springs: (brief stop)
Pale Snaketail - 2
Western Pondhawk - several
Comanche Skimmer - a few (lucked out and found a female to photograph)
Common Whitetail – 1
Picture Links:
Part 1 - Clubtails - http://bruunphotography.com/clubtails_lassen_modoc_071808.html
Part 2 - Skimmers - http://bruunphotography.com/skimmers_lassen_modoc_071808.html

Part 3 - Damsels and Butterflies - http://bruunphotography.com/damsels_lassen_modoc_071808.html

…….

Plumas County

John Sterling & daughters

Willow in early morning

Cold temperatures with very few bugs flying, but we were rewarded with one

*Sedge Sprite Nehalennia irene (LIFER ) after only 3 minutes of searching.  More searching for an hour did not yield any more sightings.- ONLY report of 2008

Lassen County

Susan River in Susanville

River Jewelwings— Only 2; there were many more there two weeks before

Great Basin Snaketail—2

Emma’s Dancers—several (netted)

Boreal Bluets —several (netted)

Eight-spotted Skimmer—2

Modoc County

Pit River north of Hwy 299 turnoff to Cedarville, at large pullout on west side of Hwy 395

River Jewelwings—30+

Pale Snaketail—2 LIFER

American Rubyspot—20+

Emma’s Dancer—4

Sooty Dancer—20

Sonoma County

Ken Wilson

A backyard pond

*Western Red Damsel Amphiagrion abbreviatum – one female

July 17, 2008
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti

Owens River, south of Big Pine.  The river was wide here, and there were high banks. 

Two large yellow and black dragonflies were patrolling, flying just above the water, each by a different section of cliff. They never landed, and I just couldn't quite get a good enough look at them to make any kind of a positive ID.  Couldn't photograph them, either. [Olive Clubtails have been seen on Owens River before – kb]

July 16, 2008
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti

Spot-winged Glider - saw our first.  Conditions were very windy, and he was sitting in the bushes and Ron got photos.   We saw other Spot-wings 2 or 3 more times, then that was it in the county during the year.

July 14, 2008

Colusa County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Bear Creek @ Hwy 20; 4:00- 4:10. Water high, 103F; seen from road

Star Thistle high, dense, horrible! Road crew set up with trailer right beside the bridge

Bluet sp.

White-belted Ringtail – 4 m

Giant Darner – 2-3 m

Flame Skimmer - many

Variegated Meadowhawk - some

Black Saddlebags - 1

July 13-16th 2008
Eastern Sierra trip
Gary and Paula Suttle
Inyo County
Owens River near Lone Pine
Vivid Dancer
Common Green Darner
Blue-eyed Darner (in hand)
Eight-spotted Skimmer
Blue Dasher
Flame Skimmer
Keough's Hot Spring, 7 miles north of Big Pine
Black-fronted Forktail
Grey Sanddragon
Flame Skimmer
Uhlmeyer Spring, east of Big PIne
*Saffron-winged Meadowhawk  Sympetrum costiferum (7-14)
Mono County
June Lake
Boreal Bluet (this and other bluet species in hand)
Mosaic Darner sp.
Four-spotted Skimmer
Mono Lake County Park
Northern Bluet
*Alkali Bluet Enallagma clausum (7-16)
DeChambeau Ponds, near Mono Lake
Tule Bluet
Pacific Forktail
Blue Dasher
Western Pondhawk
Eight-spotted Skimmer
Variegated Meadowhawk
Flame Skimmer
Black Saddlebags
Tuolumne County
Creek and pond west of Tioga Pass
Emerald Spreadwing
Boreal Bluet
Emerald sp.
Four-spotted Skimmer

July 4-13, 2008

Siskiyou County

Kathy & Dave Biggs
At our 'backyard' pond, "Dragonfly Roost" in Mt. Shasta Forest, SE of McCloud
Familiar Bluet - 1-2
Pacific Forktail - 1-2 m, ovipositing
Western Forktail - few; ovipositing
Common Green Darner - 1-3 m
Aeshna sp - (not Rhionaeschna) - 1+
Blue-eyed Darner - 1
12-spotted Skimmer – 2+ m; tandems; ovipositing; 1 f oviposits by splashing eggs onto a partially submerged log; many emerge (2-5 daily),

1 crawling 20' to the foundation of the home!
4-spotted Skimmer - several m; 1 emerges wrong/taken by a spider
Variegated Meadowhawk – 1-2 m; old!

July 11, 2008

Siskiyou County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Medicine Lake Highlands
Pumice Stone Well Pond, off Forest Service Rd 15; accessed from Pilgrim Creek Rd. off Hwy 89 out of McCloud.
1:00-3:00; 75-70F; breezy; main pond full; some other areas within the meadow still held water
Emerald Spreadwing - common
*Lyre-tipped Spreadwing Lestes unguiculatus - several netted; one kept for scanning
Boreal Bluet - abundant; all netted were this species
Pacific Forktail - 1 m
Western Forktail - a few
Emerald sp - 3 dozen flying; perching - almost all males
*American Emerald Cordulia shurtleffi - 7 m caught & released
Mountain Emerald - 5 m caught & released
Common Green Darner - 1+
Aeshna sp - very few
Blue-eyed Darner - 1 female found 'stuck' half way into the water; ovipositing but unable to crawl out!

We 'rescued' her and she later flew away
Dot-tailed Whiteface - 4 m
8-spotted Skimmer - males and females seen
12-spotted Skimmer - males seen
*Western (Band-winged) Meadowhawk Sympetrum occidentale - 1 young male caught & released
Striped Meadowhawk - 1-2; 1 young male caught & released
Also seen & photographed - one Common Snipe
Little Medicine Lake; NW of Medicine Lake; 4:00-5:20; calm
*Spotted Spreadwing Lestes congener- 1 m caught & released
Boreal Bluet - SUPER ABUNDANT - thousands and thousands; they were everywhere! All netted were this species.
Pacific Forktail - 1 young female
Western Forktail - 1 mature female ovipositing
American Emerald - abundant, hundreds - all Emeralds netted or found dieing on surface were this species
Mountain Emerald - none seen, but this species has been found here in prior years
Common Green Darner - 1+
Aeshna sp - none!
Crimson-ringed Whiteface - abundant - hundreds flying over water & landing ashore
Dot-tailed Whiteface - 3-4 m
8-spotted Skimmer - ~12

July 10, 2008
Mariposa County

Ron Oriti

Yosemite  - Summit Meadow on the Glacier Point Road

I was looking for Hudsonian Whitefaces to photograph, but they were not sitting ...  

A yellow and black dragonfly sat on my leg, but I couldn't get a picture of it  - it was a Black Petaltail.

July 8, 2008
Sierra/Plumas County
Ken Schneider 
unnamed lake along Gold Lake Road at the Sierra/Plumas county line 
Crimson-ringed Whitefaces (L. glacialis) - numerous, many easily observed pairs in wheel position, photos
…….
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti 
pond at Glacier Lodge up Big Pine Canyon
Cardinal Meadowhawks - our first. What pretty dragonflies!  We did not see them again, so you can bet that we will be back up there, only earlier next year!
 

July 9, 2008

Siskiyou County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Gumboot Lake & vicinity
All odes were seen at Gumboot Lake unless indicated otherwise:
Common Spreadwing - 1M (haven't emerged yet?)
Vivid Dancer - a few, most seen at GC & PS
Boreal Bluet - (assumed this species) ABUNDANT
Western Forktail - few
Black Petaltail - 2 at lake, both tried to land on Dave! 2 at GC (1 m, 1f); 1 m PS; pix taken
Common Green Darner - 1-3 m
Aeshna sp - (not Rhionaeschna) - 1+
Blue-eyed Darner - 1
Snaketail sp. - 1 @ GC
Pacific Spiketail - 1m, on Sisiiyou Rd.
Emerald sp - <dozen
*Ringed Emerald Somatochlora albicincta - one found emerging near parking area; watched it take it's maiden-flight - pix taken; ONLY date reported 2008
Mt. Emerald S. semicircularis - Dave netted 1 M; specimen taken for scanning
Crimson-ringed Whiteface Leucorrhinia glacialis - many; pix taken
*Hudsonian Whiteface Leucorrhinia hudsonica - several; pix taken – last report 2008
*Chalk-fronted Corporal Libellula/Ladona julia -  4M; pix taken; 1 specimen kept for scanning – ONLY time reported in 2008
12-spotted Skimmer - many
4-spotted Skimmer - common
Meadowhawk sp - 1 golden yellow colored seen briefly

…….
Lassen County
Ken Schneider
Unidentified Emerald sp.  at Packer Saddle.
Four-spotted Skimmer at Packer Lake (photo)

July 8, 2008
Lassen County
Ken Schneider
tributary of Feather River along Red Rock road near state line.
Western Pondhawk male 
Plumas County 
along Feather River
Eight-spotted Skimmer (photo) 

July 7, 2008

Siskiyou County

Kathy & Dave Biggs
Soda Springs, east of McCloud off Squaw Valley Rd.; 5 pm
Pacific Forktail - M&F, ovipositing

Western Forktail - M&F, ovipositing

No Swift Forktails seen
Familiar Bluet - several

Common Green Darner - several

Aeshna sp. Darner - several

Common Whitetail – several

July 6, 2008
Santa Cruz County 
Steve Rovell 
Quail Hollow:
Vivid Dancer 8
Arroyo Bluet 23 (3 in hand)
Pacific Forktail 1
Desert Firetail 80+
California Darner Rhionaeschna californica 1 
Blue-eyed Darner 5
Western Pondhawk 4
Common Whitetail 6 (all males)
Flame Skimmer 5
meadowhawk sp 3
Black Saddlebags 4
San Lorenzo River (at Water Street) in Santa Cruz:
Vivid Dancer 3
Blue-eyed Darner 4
Flame Skimmer 2
Spot-winged Glider 5
Red Saddlebags 1

July 4, 2008

Monterey County

Steve Rovell & three kids (Marco 4, Julian 10 and Sonia 11)

Garrapata SP for a hike and to look for odes.  Only two species were found, but the kids had fun looking at them. 

Vivid Dancers were found along the trail.  They were everywhere.  I didn't even attempt to count them. 

Then at the first creek crossing, a nice, big, black and yellow

Pacific Spiketail – one cruised by and hovered for a bit; gave excellent views from just feet away. We saw a total of 5. 

Someone we ran into on the trail noted he saw a big blue dragonfly, but we didn't see it.

Carmel River lagoon was our next stop.

Bluet -1, which we didn't try to identify. 

Not a lot of diversity, but the kids loved it. 

…….
Colusa County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Bear Creek @ Hwy 20; 12:30- 12:45. Water high, 86F; seen from road
no rubyspots!
Dancer sp - probably CA/AZ
Tule Bluet
no clubtails!
Common Green Darner  - 1
Giant Darner - 2 m
Widow Skimmer  - 2 m
Flame Skimmer - many
Western Pondhawk - 2 m
Variegated Meadowhawk - some
Meadowhawk sp - 1-2 reddish colored, not Variegated
Black Saddlebags - 6
 

July 3, 2008

Imperial County

Doug Willick

Mouth of the New River (at the Salton Sea) [during a bird survey]

Comanche Skimmer –This was the most noticeable ode seen in a 200-meter stretch of habitat here (about equal numbers of males and females).

Photo taken of a female.

July 2/3, 2008

Imperial County

Doug Willick

Colorado River, north of Laguna Dam [during a bird survey]

Red-tailed Pennant – pix of an immature male

Blue Dashers - 100+ along a 100 meter walk to one of our point counts adjacent to a nice marsh (but saw no diversity, in the limited time I had to look). 

We are on tight schedules (ten minutes per point count, then on to the next with really no time for ode watching). 

I possibly saw only 7 species for the two days (all dragons, but for

Powdered Dancers). 

Comanche Skimmers were quite evident at one site along the All American Canal (but no Bleached Skimmers, which I’d had here a month before). 

 
July 3, 2008 
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
San Pasqual-Clevenger Canyon(North Trail), Santa Ysabel Creek, several minutes walk upstream and downstream from the trail crossing of the
barely running creek, 12:00-1:00pm sunny 84 degrees 
Vivid Dancer
California Dancer (2 in hand)
California/Aztec Dancer 
Black-fronted Forktail
Desert Firetail 1
Gray Sanddragon 6 including a wheel
Flame Skimmer
Red Rock Skimmer 2
 
July 2, 2008
Lassen County

John Sterling and 8 year old daughter Natalia,

Silver Lake, we looked around a small pond at the campground and at nearby Cooper Swamp. 

Unlike last year in late July when John Luther and I checked it, this time the “swamp” was very wet with large deep pools. 

Emerald Spreadwings were abundant. 

*Hudsonian Whitefaces Leucorrhinia hudsonica a few

Dot-tailed Whitefaces a few

Four-spotted Skimmers a few

Eight-spotted Skimmers a few

unidentified emeralds a few

*White-faced Meadowhawk Sympetrum obtrusum one. 

We searched for Sedge Sprite for an hour or so before my daughter decided that it was breakfast time and that we needed to leave. 

Susanville - we checked along the Susan River in town

Great Basin Snaketails

Emma’s Dancers

River Jewelwings were easily seen and photographed. 

Zamboni Hot Springs off of Hwy 395 south of Doyle. 

Comanche Skimmers

Western Pondhawks

Flame Skimmers.   

After looking through the book and picking out her most wanted odes, Natalia is excited about our trip to the Salton Sea where 
Roseate Skimmers and Mexican Amberwings abound
 
July 1, 2008
Butte County 

John Sterling and 8 year old daughter Natalia,

First stop was Cherry Hill Campground near Butte Meadows in the high country 

Black Petaltails found along the river near the wet, boggy meadow (with rein orchids and lilies). 

Plumas County

On a dirt road down slope from Humboldt Pass (the pass is the county line between Butte and Plumas), towards Lake Almanor (Hwy 32 
was closed at turnoff to Butte Meadows). After several miles of driving down the mountain on the east side the pass, 

we encountered several Black Petaltails on the dirt road in the evening. 

The GPS coordinates are N 40 10 21.5/W 121 23 26.7.  There were wet meadows nearby. 

June

June 30, 2008
Mendocino County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
South Fork Eel River @ Wilderness Lodge Rd, ~ 3 miles off Branscomb Road 
11:30 - 12:15, 65-69F, Sunny with some clouds
Emma's Dancer – many - photo
Sooty Dancer - a few
Western River Cruiser - at least 2
Bison Snaketail – abundant - photo
Grappletail – 1-2 males; 1 female – photo of males
8-spotted Skimmer - 1 female
…….
Imperial County
Bob Miller 
Imperial Valley - along Noffsinger Road near Davis Road, west of Niland
Comanche Skimmers were numerous although they were all females and saw only one possible male while we were moving. 
Widow Skimmer
Red Saddlebags
Blue Dasher
Western Pondhawk
Familiar Bluet - we noticed a pale teneral Familiar Bluet near its exuvia that really blended in with the bank.
Rambur's Forktail
Desert Forktail. 
 
June 29, 2008 
Mendocino County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Tenmile Creek, north of Laytonville; (+= seen 28th right off main swimming beach too) 
Photos on Flicker: http://flickr.com/photos/26704961@N03/sets/72157605925579818/
California Dancer - many, assumed this species, none in hand though - photo
Emma's Dancer – some - photo
Familiar Bluet+ - some - photo
Pacific Forktail+ - 2 males
Exclamation Damsel - 1 male found floating/dieing on the creek – photo and scan
Western River Cruiser+ - several
Darner sp+ - assumed Common Green
Bison Snaketail – abundant - photo
*Gray Sanddragon Progomphus borealis - many males, 1 'wheel' *COUNTY PHOTO RECORD #7 CA Distribution chart OC#: 282611
8-spotted Skimmer - abundant
Common Whitetail - some
12-spotted Skimmer - 2 males - photo
Flame Skimmer+ - many
Variegated Meadowhawk - 1 female over parking area
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 1 male
Black Saddlebags+ - 1-2

…….

San Bernardino County

Peter Siminski

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, N34.05040 W116.56946, Elev. 2500'; 7:30-11:00, 76-101F, cloudless, gentle breeze NW.

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida  >50

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  2

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  13 including one wheel and one female ovipositing.

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis 5

Neon Skimmer, Libellula croceipennis  4

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata 9 including one wheel and one female ovipositing.

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  1

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  2

……..
San Diego County
Gary Suttle, David Rawlins, Tyler Suttle
La Jolla Indian Reservation, San Luis Rey River 10:30-11:30, sunny, 79degrees.
Sooty Dancer 
Vivid Dancer
Tule Bluet
Variegated Meadowhawk
Pale-faced Clubskimmer
Palomar Mountain State Park, Doane Pond 1:00-5:00, mid-80's.
Familiar Bluet
Tule Bluet
Western Forktail
Pacific Forktail
Desert Firetail
Common Green Darner
Mosaic Darner species
Cardinal Meadowhawk
Blue Dasher
Common Whitetail
Flame Skimmer
Black Saddlebags
Also looked at Thunder Springs and portions of Doane Creek and French Creek, and saw only Vivid Dancers, a Common Green Darner, 
and a probable Blue-eyed Darner.
…….
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti

Silver Canyon Canal.  It was hot and windy, 

Western Meadowhawks.  There were just tons and tons of them. Most of them were sitting all over the bushes.  This was wonderful, and very instructive.   
It was just fun to see so many of them, and secondly, because of their great numbers, we could see them in  ALL stages of development, and color changes 
as they age.  It was really neat.
 
June 28, 2008
Mendocino County
Matthew Matthiessen
Dos Rios (along the Eel River -about 10 miles east of Laytonville).  ) - hot and smoky
Sooty Dancer - 15
Emma's Dancer - 20
CAztec Dancer - 3
Bison Snaketail - 5
Pacific Spiketail - 1
Flame Skimmer - 1
Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax – 2 *COUNTY PHOTO RECORD #101 CA Distribution chart OC# 283165

June 26, 2007

Sonoma County

Kathy Biggs, Steve Rovell

Pine Flat Rd., and thru the Mayacamas Audubon Preserve above Healdsburg, then Russian River at Alexander Valley Campground  10-4:30

We started at top of the road and worked our way down. Smoke from the many many fires was thick; you couldn’t see the valley from the road.

Key:
TT=top of road
MM1= mile marker one, looking into Little Sulphur Creek (some folks went down to the creek)
RRp=Rebizzo Ranch pond (PRIVATE property)
Doug’s Seep = seep just above Rebizzo Ranch (with lots of watercress) 
SCp=pond along Sulphur Creek (~MM9 - do not block driveway);
MM10=pond and seep at mile marker 10, former site of old Mine. 
RR = Russian River @ Alexander Valley Rd. Alexander Valley RV Park (entrance fee required) 
At MM10, we climbed about in the seep area before the pond. We didn't find any Hoary Skimmers this year, nor any Petaltail
Species seen:
Black Petaltail – not found 
American Rubyspot - RRAV
*Black Spreadwing Lestes stultus - MM10 – one seen, last report of 2008
CA/AZ Dancer - MM1, RR

CA Dancer- RR, (in hand)

Aztec Dancer – RR. (in hand)

Emma's Dancer – RR, tandem pairs

Sooty Dancer – MM1, RR

Vivid Dancer - Doug’s Seep, MM10 (almost everywhere we went)

Boreal Bluet - RRAV (in hand)

Pacific Forktail - just one male RR
Western Forktail – Doug’s seep – 1 juvenile female
Blue-eyed Darner sp - a few seen, TT, RRp. 
Grappletail –this species not found at Doug’s Seep or elsewhere
Bison Snaketail – MM1- a few fly bys assumed to be this species
Pacific Spiketail – several seen, including females at MM10 & at SCp 
Western River Cruiser - PERHAPS this species seen RR
Western Pondhawk – RR, m
Common Whitetail - MM1; RRp
Hoary Skimmer – not found
Flame Skimmer – SCp – males; 1 female seen ovipositing SCp
Blue Dasher – RRp; MM1 – a few males
Cardinal Meadowhawk  - MM10, MM1
Black Saddlebags - RRp
20species!
Other highlights: 2 young pond turtles found in MM10 pond, Garter Snakes in most of the waterways & 1 STEELHEAD was still in SCp!!, 

The one fresh looking one from before was still in the large pool is way lower than before and the creek is dried up above and below this pool.

…….
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Lake Poway (Poway), 3:00-5:15 pm, sunny,  light breezes, 77 degrees.
Tule Bluet
Pacific Forktail
Black-fronted Forktail
Common Green Darner
Blue-eyed Darner  (perched)
Blue Dasher
Western Pondhawk (female ovipositing at 5:00pm)
Flame Skimmer
Black Saddlebags
Red Saddlebags
Pale-faced Clubskimmer 1  (miles from flowing water)
Wandering Glider  1 male   (perched) 
The Pale-faced Clubskimmer flew back and forth in a 30 yard beat along a wide trail that contours the lake.  
It repeatedly chased off an intruding Black Saddlebags, and it may have thought my small collapsible net with a two foot handle
was a "white saddlebags" because despite a dozen (vain) swoops of the net, it just flew off after each swing for a short time and 
then returned to patrolling. The scene replayed itself at the same place and time on the following day.
…….
Siskiyou County
Tim & Annette Manolis
Collier Rest Area on Hwy 5 north of Yreka along the Klamath River (en route to OR)
….I can't ever remember seeing more Ophiogomphus in my life!  I don't think about 1000 would be an over estimate.  
There were hordes over the river (where Lewis's Woodpeckers were picking 'em off a few feet above the water and feeding them
to their fledglings in the riverside trees) and tons in the rest area.  
All the ones I saw on land were 
*Sinuous Snaketails Ophiogomphus occidentalis [last report 2008], I guess Great Basin could have been there, too, but I didn't see any for sure.  
You pretty much had to kick 'em out of the way as you walked along.  There were some 
Pacific Clubtails, too, but not nearly as many and they all looked old and ragged.  
I wanted to see jewelwings but couldn't spot any (we didn't walk down to the shoreline, and we never left the rest area, i.e., 
we didn't doing any hiking downstream)but we did see 
American Rubyspots some
Emma's Dancer some 
Bluets sp a few
Eight-spotted Skimmer  a few
Blue-eyed Darner a few

June 25, 2008 
Butte County 
Ray Bruun
Cheery Hill
Saw lots of Black Petaltail but only found three females, two of them in wheel.  
It seems the females spend most of their time away from the bog.
Modoc County
Ash Creek, south of Adin in Modoc County (also a first for me).
River Jewelwing - about 6 males and females
American Rubyspot - several
Vivid Dancer - several
River Bluet - common (mostly lone males, but several pairs in wheel)
Emerald Spreadwing - several + many teneral spreadwings that I didn't identify
Tule Bluet (same pond) - several
Western Forktail - several females, one male
Blue-eyed (California?) Darner - several males
Grappletail - most common dragonfly
Great Basin Snaketail - two females photographed, saw several more snaketails
Variegated Meadowhawk - one
Cardinal Meadowhawk - one male + pair in wheel
Unknown Meadowhawk, possibly Cardinal - several
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - several
Four-spotted Skimmer - many on a small pond by stream
Pictures:
Cherry Hill - http://bruunphotography.com/Part_1_061808.html
Ash Creek, etc. - http://bruunphotography.com/Part_2_062108.html
 

June 24, 2008

San Diego County

Gary Suttle
Pine Valley Creek Trailhead, 1:30-3:00pm, sunny, light breeze, 84  degrees.
American Rubyspot
*Lavender Dancer Argia hinei 2 males
Vivid Dancer
Western Forktail
Pacific Spiketail
Flame Skimmer

……

Inyo County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Their Bishop backyard (it has a small stream thru it)

Desert form of Pacific Spiketail – 1 male

June 23, 2008

Santa Barbara County

Peter Siminski

Santa Ynez River at 1st and 2nd crossing of Paradise Road, Los Padres National Forest, Elev.1000'; 10:45-14:20,

75-85F, cloudless, moderate breeze W.

California Dancer, Argia agrioides  11 (4 in-hand), one tandem pair.

Sooty Dancer, A. lugens  >20

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida  5

Northern Bluet, Enallagma annexum >45 (7 in-hand) including many tandem pairs ovipositing.

Arroyo Bluet, E. praevarum  6 (1 in-hand)

Giant Darner, Anax walsinghami  1

Gray Sanddragon, Progomphus borealis  3

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  2

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata 5

Widow Skimmer, Libellula luctuosa 3

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata >25 including an ovipositing female.

Red Rock Skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes  5 including a female ovipositing with a male guarding.

June 21, 2008
Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs, Tom Cashman, Ken Wilson, Becky Olson, MO (Madrone Audubon FT)
Santa Rosa, Alpine Rd. off Calistoga Rd. The road borders upper Mark West Creek: 8:15-11:20; 72-95F
Pacific Forktail - 1 m
Vivid Dancer - 1-2 m
Common Green Darner - 1 m
Blue-eyed Darner - 1 m
Bison Snaketail - 7 m, 1 f If I wanted to take Bison photos, this is where I'd head! 5 males and 1f seen well from bridge
spot-winged Skimmer sp - either an 8-spot (most likely) or 12-spot, 1-3
Flame Skimmer - several
When Dave and I headed north towards the Russian River, making one stop en route:
Leslie Road off Porter Creek Road, East of Windsor; 11:40-11:50; 94F. Mark West Creek.
This was a sweet spot and should be visited again...
Western/Swift Forktail - 2 m - they didn't stick around!
Bluet/Dancer -  2 m - they didn't stick around either!
8-spotted Skimmer - 1m
Flame Skimmer - 5+m
Blue Dasher - 1m
Pondhawk/Dasher - several
Black Saddlebags - 1m
Next we drove up to the Russian River north of Geyserville.
Take the Asti exit, drive south ~ 1m to Washington School Rd.
There is a summer bridge across the river here. This year it is all marked NO PARKING!
We had to park up across the RR tracks, but it was worth it!
1:00-2:30: 95-103F, some wind (whew!)
American Rubyspot - some
Emma's Dancer - some, many in tandem in the Ludwigia; a pair brought home to scan
CA/AZ Dancer - some, many in tandem in the Ludwigia; a pair brought home to scan, so I should have ID later.
Sooty Dancer -  2 males + 1 teneral female who landed on Kathy for Dave to take multiple pix
Common Green Darner - 1m
Bison Snaketail - 1m
Gray Sanddragon - ~6 - the most we've ever seen at one stop on the Russian! Sweet!
Common Whitetail - 1m
Flame Skimmer – several

…….

Santa Barbara County

Peter Siminski

Los Caneros Lake, N34.44167 W119.84770, Elev. 60'; 13:30-14:20, ~85F, cloudless, light breeze SE.

Tule or Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma sp.  3

Common Green Darner, Anax junius 1

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor 1

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  >25

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  4

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata 2

Red Saddlebags, T. onusta 3

June 20, 2008

Santa Clara County

Alan Schneider

Arastradero Lake (more like a pond) inside Arastradero Preserve
Several male Blue-eyed darners

Several Male Blue Dashers (missed the females somehow).
One Cardinal Meadowhawk (? - photo in album)
Two Flame Skimmers (? - photo in album)
One Spreadwing sp. - (? L. disjunctus - photos, including reasonable pic of terminal appendages, in album)
One Common Whitetail
One Vivid Dancer

June 18 2008

Modoc County

John Sterling
Lily Lake 

*American Emerald Cordulia shurtleffi – 1 M, photos (in hand)

June 16, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Santa Margarita River by the Sandia Creek Drive bridge crossing,  North of Fallbrook, 10:00-2:30,

sunny with a few high clouds, light breeze, 77-86 degrees.
American Rubyspot
Aztec Dancer (in hand)
Vivid Dancer
Familiar Bluet? eluded net
Tule Bluet (in hand)
Arroyo Bluet (in hand)
Pacific Forktail
Black-fronted Forktail
Common Green Darner
Giant Darner 2
Darner sp.
Grey Sanddragon 5
Mexican Amberwing 1
Blue Dasher
Flame Skimmer
Red Rock Skimmer 2
Pale-faced Clubskimmer 3
Four of the Grey Sanddragons and two of the Pale-faced Clubskimmers found east of the bridge, along a broad, sandy riverbank—

a 3 minute walk from the parking lot/Santa Margarita Trail trailhead. A path to the water descends leftward from the main trail at the

"Horse Xing  Use Bypass" sign. Santa Margarita County Preserve, at the intersection of DeLuz Rd. and Sandia Creek Dr.,

1.2 miles south of the Sandia Creek Dr. bridge  crossing. 2:45-3:00.
American Rubyspot
Vivid Dancer
Giant Darner 1
Grey Sanddragon 1
Flame Skimmer

June 15, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Dos Picos County Park pond,  near Ramona 10:00-12:00 Sunny, mostly calm; 80-90 degrees.
Tule Bluet  many
Pacific Forktail
Western Forktail  1 male
Desert Firetail
Common Green Darner
Darner  probably Blue-eyed
Variegated Meadowhawk  numerous tenerals
Blue Dasher
Western Pondhawk
Common Whitetail  several males and 1 female in willows
Flame Skimmer
Black Saddlebags  some ovipositing
Red Saddlebags  some ovipositing
In hand *Aztec Dancer Argia nahuana, Arroyo Bluet, and Familiar Bluet on 5-5-08 but none seen today.

…….

Mendocino County
Matthew Matthiessen 
Redwood Valley pond
*Beaverpond Baskettail Epitheca canis [last report 2008]

…….

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Coachella Valley Preserve, Thousand Palms Oasis, 530' Elev.; 9:10-11:15, 94-104F, cloudless, light breeze SW.

American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana 1

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta ?2? could not get a net on them.

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida  13

Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche  4

Neon Skimmer, L. croceipennis  5

Flame Skimmer, L. saturata  3

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  2

Note: The parking lot at the Palm House visitor's center is closed most weekdays for the summer and today for Father's Day. 

If closed, you can park at a pull out on the Thousand Palms Road just south of the visitor's center for access to the trail

June 14, 2008

Sonoma County
Tim Manolis & MO

Field trip at Fairfield Osborn Preserve (NOT open to general public), Lichau Rd., Cotati

weather was nice, sunny but not too hot.  We had a nice list of odonates, but it actually seemed as if we were a bit early for some stuff,

as we observed quite a few new emergences at Kelly Pond, the few Pacific Spiketails we netted or observed closely while perched were

not fully mature, etc.  That being said, some things (e.g., Cardinal Meadowhawks) were mostly mature and breeding (lots of tandem and

ovipositing pairs).  And it seems as if we added at least one ode to the FOP list.  Our trip list was: 

Black Spreadwing -- fairly common, probably 50+ seen.

*Northern Spreadwing Lestes disjunctus  -- I netted a male, new for county, Tim Manolis, # 6 on CA Chart, sight (but in-hand) record.

We saw lots more spreadwings than I netted, so some may have been Spotted, but the only other ones I netted were Black.

Aztec/California Dancer -- we saw a few at Turtle Pond, but I didn't net any.

Vivid Dancer -- 30.

Pacific Forktail -- easily 100 or more.

Western Forktail -- 5.

Blue-eyed Darner -- 60, most foraging in swarms over dry clearings or meadows.

Common Green Darner -- only 2 or 3.

Grappletail -- one male along the creek.

Pacific Spiketail -- quite numerous along the trails as you predicted!  We netted a few and photographed a few others perched. 

All seemed brown and yellow rather than BLACK and yellow and had either brown or blue-gray eyes, none with bright bluish eyes;

so all seemed to be immature (but not teneral).

Western Pondhawk -- 15.

Eight-spotted Skimmer -- 30; nearly all male on territory,etc., at Kelly Pond.

Widow Skimmer -- only 4-5 seen, and either teneral or immature.

Common Whitetail -- 12.

Flame Skimmer -- 4, none mature males.

Blue Dasher -- 40….and an interesting situation documented…..to be published in Argia.

Red-veined Meadowhawk -- 40 or so, but all away from water in dry clearings, etc.

Cardinal Meadowhawk -- 40, but nearly all at water, many tandem pairs (one almost nabbed by a fish at Kelly Pond!) or ovipositing pairs.

Black Saddlebags -- 2.

…….
San Diego County
Gary Suttle

Felicita County Park, Escondido, 1:00-2:00, partly cloudy, 79 degrees
Vivid Dancer
Flame Skimmer
Cardinal Meadowhawk
** *Neon Skimmer Libellula croceipennis - First one I've seen this year...a male perched within a few feet of the male Cardinal

Meadowhawk--a dazzling twosome! [indeed! First sighting of the year and new early flight data – old early date 6/17 – kb]

…….

Mendocino County
Matthew Matthiessen 
Real Goods 
Beaverpond Baskettail

…….

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

Palo Verde Oxbow Lake, ~15 miles S of Blythe near Colorado River, N33*23.968' W114*43.452', 228' Elev.; 8:30-12:00, 92-102F,

cloudless to ~10% altostratus, calm to light air.

Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta  2

Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula  9

Double-striped Bluet, Enallagma basidens  11 including one in hand.

Familiar Bluet, E. civile  >60 many in tandem ovipositing pairs.

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  1

Citrine Forktail, I. hastata  9 including one wheel.

Rambur's Forktail, I. ramburii   8

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  3

White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus  1

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  9

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  >80

Widow Skimmer, Libellula luctuosa  >50

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  6 including one tandem pair.

Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens  2

Spot-winged Glider, P. hymenaea  2

Note: The E. basidens and I. hastata were in almost any patch of salt grass, Distichlis.
 
June 12/13, 2008 
Siskiyou County
Ray Bruun
Shasta River (at Hudson Road) and the Klamath River (Tree of Heaven Campground and upstream of Collier Rest Area at I-5).  
By far the best area for river access was along Klamathon Road, upstream of I-5 (between the freeway and Ager Road). 
I photographed these odes there [partial list]: 
River Jewelwing – males and females
Emma's Dancer – males and females
*Great Basin Snaketail Ophiogomphus morrisoni – males and females
Sinuous Snaketail – males and females
Blue-eyed Darner – ovipositing female
Blue Dasher – males
Pacific Clubtail  – males and females
Part 1 - Damselflies: http://bruunphotography.com/Part_1_061208.html
Part 2 - Snaketails: http://bruunphotography.com/Part_2_061208.html
Part 3 - Other: http://bruunphotography.com/Part_3_061208.html
 
June 12, 2008 
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Laguna Mountains, Oasis Spring; Sunny, breezy, 75-85 degrees, 11:00-3:00
Vivid Dancer 
Western Forktail (found females only)
Pine Valley Creek Trailhead
American Rubyspot 
Vivid Dancer
Northern Bluet (in hand)
Western Forktail 
Pacific Spiketail (>3 one netted & released) 
Flame Skimmer
Cuyumaca Mountains, Green Valley Falls
Vivid Dancer
Bluet species
Flame Skimmer
Red Rock Skimmer (>6 including tandem)
 
June 11, 2008
Imperial County
Doug Willick
East Highline Canal (EHC), near Sinclair (including various drains to the west of the EHC). 1600-1645 hrs. Clear, light breezes, 105 degrees.  
I'm only IDing odes so far by use of bins, so many of my damselfly IDs are "shakey", I must apologize. 
American Rubyspot 2 males
Powdered Dancer 75-100
Blue-ringed Dancer 100 (100s)
Vivid Dancers 
Familiar Bluets 
(And possibly other Argia and Enallagma)
White-belted Ringtail 2
Blue Dasher 1 female
 
June 10/11, 2008
Imperial County
Doug Willick
"Seep-marsh" wetlands along the All American Canal, between Drops 3 and 4. Roughly 1030 to 1200 hrs. 
Clear, light breezes, 98 to 105 degrees. 
I was only able to be here about 1 hour, or less, each day. 
Common Green Darner 1
White-belted Ringtail 3-4 (photos)
Gray Sanddragon 1
Western Pondhawk 10 (1-2 females ovipositing)
Blue Dasher 20-25
Comanche Skimmer 2 male & 1 female (photos)
Bleached Skimmer 1m (a "lifer", seen well, but not long enough to obtain photo)
Roseate Skimmer 1 male
Red Saddlebags a few males
(many distant, flying Anisoptera--a lot of blue dragons, so many male 
Western Pondhawks and 
Blue Dashers, apparently, with probably lesser numbers of 
Comanche and 
Bleached Skimmers
Oddly enough, I did not see any Zygoptera--not looking long or hard enough I guess.  
 
June 10, 2008

San Diego County

Gary Suttle
Lake Dixon and Jack Creek, Escondido, 11:00-3:00. Sunny, light breezes, 75-85 degrees.
Vivid Dancer
Tule Bluet
Pacific Forktail
Desert Firetail
Common Green Darner
Blue-eyed Darner
Pacific Spiketail -Patrolling from the Jack Creek Picnic Area to the second footbridge, near where the tiny creek empties into Lake Dixon.
Variegated Meadowhawk
Blue Dasher
Western Pondhawk
Flame Skimmer
Black Saddlebags
Red Saddlebags

June 9, 2007

Mono County

Ron Oriti

Fish Slough #3 (3^rd pond on Fish Slough road) - temperature was around 90.  

Darners, lots

Pondhawks, some

8-spots, lots

Hoarys, some

Flame Skimmers, tons

4-spots, a few

Blue Dashers

June 8, 2007

Sonoma County

Dave and Kathy Biggs, MO – Madrone Audubon Fieldtrip

We lead a dragonfly walk up Pine Flat Rd., and thru the Mayacamas Audubon Preserve above Healdsburg  10-4:30

It was a wonderful day with temps ranging from 84-94F

We started near the top of the road at the pond and seep near mile marker 10 to start avoiding target practice shooters at that site.

Key:
MM1= mile marker one, looking into Little Sulphur Creek (some folks went down to the creek);
FS=Ferguson Spring;
RRp=Rebizzo Ranch pond (PRIVATE property)
Doug’s Seep = seep just above Rebizzo Ranch (with lots of watercress) 
– We have decided to always call this Doug’s Pond in memory of Doug Ellis
who found a Vivid Dancer there one Jan. 2nd, and, sadly, died the very next day.
SCp=pond along Sulphur Creek (~MM9 - do not block driveway);
MM10=pond and seep at mile marker 10, former site of old mine. 
RRAV = Russian River @ Alexander Valley Rd. - Most of us also went to the Russian River (3:15-4:30 pm) at the Alexander Valley RV Park 
(entrance fee required)  Although this was a beginner's walk, we were also looking for 2 dragonflies that are somewhat rare in Sonoma County, 

the Hoary Skimmer and the Black Petaltail. At MM10, we climbed about in the seep area before the pond. We didn't find any Hoary Skimmers

this year, but we were delighted to find a male Petaltail, on territory. The seep has been terribly degraded by 4wd vehicles and we feared the

Petaltail nymph would have been killed. Last year a Hoary Skimmer male was seen at this site, but not this year.

Species seen:

American Rubyspot - MM1 & RRAV

Black Spreadwing - MM10 & LSP - fairly good #s at MM10 pond & seep; but no nymph seen this year.

CA/AZ Dancer - MM1, RRAV

Emma's Dancer – RRAV  tandem pairs and sentinel guarding ovipositing

Vivid Dancer - Doug’s Seep, RRp, FS, MM10 (almost everywhere we went)

No/Bo Bluet - SCp, RRAV

Pacific Forktail - just one male RRAV

Western Forktail - MM10pond, RRAV

Black Petaltail - MM10 upper seep

Common Green Darner – parking area along lower road where we met.

Darner sp - a few Mosaic type seen RRp. SCp

Grappletail –this species not found at Doug’s Seep or elsewhere

Bison Snaketail – MM1- 1 male, a nice find

Gray Sanddragon - RRAV- 1 male, a nice find; one teneral male took ‘maiden’ flight and posed for pictures

Pacific Spiketail - one along road below RRp

Western River Cruiser - one exuviae found on Ludwigia and PERHAPS this species seen RRAV).

Common Whitetail - MM1; RRp; MM10Pond

Hoary Skimmer – nor found

Twelve-spotted Skimmer - MM10pond; MM1; - males only seen

Flame Skimmer - MM1; SCp- males

Blue Dasher (probably this species, but at a distance and facing away from us, maybe a pondhawk) - RRp - several males

Cardinal Meadowhawk  - MM1

Red-veined Meadowhawk - MM10 seep and pond (mature & immature males); MM1

Black Saddlebags - RRp

22 species!! A great day all around! ~12 attendees

Other highlights: 2 young pond turtles found in MM10 pond, Garter Snakes in most of the waterways & 3 STEELHEAD in SCp!! Two were 2+ ft long,

one was old and tattered; one fresh. They were in the large pool and the creek is dried up above and below this pool.

…….

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Fulmor Lake, San Jacinto Mountains, USFS; 5200' Elev., 10:20-12:00, 70-75F, cloudless, light air.

Northern Bluet, Enallagma annexum 18 (2 in hand)

Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula  >50

Rhionaeschna sp.  12, looked like californica, but would not hold still.

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  4

…….

Napa County

Zach Smith

Junction 128/Chiles Pope Valley Rd. 1030-1130. Clear, high 80s.River channel south of this junction was full of odes, most inconstant flight. 
Bluet sp.- dozens, didn't try too hard on these
Pac. forktail- few
Vivid dancer - many
Green darner - several
Cardinal meadowhawk - few
Widow skimmer - many
Common whitetail - many
8-spotted skimmer - dozens
Flame skimmer - dozens
Blue dasher - several
Most definitely more here, but since most stuff in flight, this is all I could get. good spot, though. shallow water makes wading out easy.
Creek 1.5 miles north of #1 along Pope Valley Rd. 
Bison snaketail - 2-3
Pacific spiketail – possible, fleeting look
Flame skimmer - 1
Pope Creek, ~2 miles upstream of L. Berryessa, warm water, lots of algae
Flame skimmer - many, tried to turn some into Neons
Gray sanddragon - 2-3, my first
W.river cruiser - 1 or 2, one was ovipositing at full speed
Blue dasher - 1
8-spotted skimmer - 1
Sooty dancer - several in tandem
 

June 7, 2008

Monterey County

Don Roberson & Rita Carratello
Big Sur River mouth (Andrew Molera SP) 1045-1345,  very windy but warm wind
Don waded river and worked the south side, Rita walked the north side  to the headlands, then we returned together. Mostly we were birding  
away from the river, but these odes were encountered:
Vivid Dancer 3
California Darner 2
Blue-eyed Darner 20 (photos)
Wandering Glider 1
Red Saddlebags Tramea onusta 4 (photos) – upgrade of  prior sighting only record, CA Chart #29, OC#: 284145
The Red Saddlebags were along the north edge of the campground where being at the foot of a small ridge provides protection from the wind.  
Lots of darners here, too. We think there were 1-2 males and 2-3 females; one male grabbed a female and they became a flying tandem. I  
took a number of flight shots and one distant perched shot.
This is only the second year this species has been found in MTY, and this is the first record to be documented with photos. An incursion  
in June-Aug 2004 brought many to this site (Rob Fowler); another in  Sep 2004 was in Marina (Steve Rovell). The tandem observed is the  
first evidence of breeding in this county.

……..

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas oasis and fish ponds; -150' Elev., 8:00-13:00, 80-96F, cloudless, gentle breeze S.

CA/Aztec Dancer, Argia sp.  2 (Could not get a net on them)

Powdered Dancer, A. moesta  2

Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula  13

Vivid Dancer, A. vivida  3

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  1

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  19

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  9 including a tandem ovipositing pair.

Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata  32

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  >50 including an ovipositing female and a wheel.

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  >100

Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche  >45 including an ovipositing female.

Bleached Skimmer, L. composita  2

Widow Skimmer, L. luctuosa  42

Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata  >100 including >7 ovipositing tandem pairs.

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  17

Red Saddlebags, T. onusta  10

Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens  2

Spot-winged Glider, P. hymenaea  2

June 6, 2008

Santa Barbara County

Nick Lethaby

along the Alisal Rd crossing over the Santa Ynez River

Pale-faced Clubskimmer - I think this is only the 3^rd county record (more a reflection of lack of oding than real rarity).

It’s about 20-25 miles W. of the records along the upper Santa Ynez River and downstream of the Cachuma dam.

American Rubyspots - at least 3

Flame Skimmers - a couple

I wasn’t looking for odes so doubtless missed other species (a darner and some dancers were seen too for example).

…….

Riverside County

Gary Suttle, David Rawlins

Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis; 10:00am-2:00pm, sunny, 90-102degrees, calm/light breezes

Blue-ringed Dancer  >20  (3 in hand)

Familiar Bluet  4

Rambur's Forktail  >25 including a few young gynomorphic females

Desert Forktail  >15

Common Green Darner  6

Mexican Amberwing  1

Red-tailed Pennant  2

Blue Dasher  >100

Western Pondhawk  >40

Widow Skimmer >20 

Comanche Skimmer >30

Black Saddlebags >20

Red Saddlebags >5

Marl Pennant >50  often several at a time perched atop the highest branches of mesquite trees

After visiting Dos Palmas, took the trail that leads to a palm oasis south of the parking lot, where Blue-ringed Dancers, Blue Dashers, and

Comanche Skimmers darted about at two little ponds sequestered in the midst of the tall, dense grove.

June 5, 2008

Siskiyou County

Dave Payne

Happy Camp

*striped meadowhawk, Sympetrum pallipes - a male hanging about my backyard pond

western forktail female ovipositing

Vivid Dancer male staying clear of the bluegill

…….

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Bigsnest Pond, Sebastopol

Vivid Dancer pair tandem ovipositing

Pacific Forktail several

Western Forktail female ovipositing

Exclamation Damsel 1 male

Blue-eyed Darner – male, and later a female solo ovipositing

8-spotted Skimmer - male, and later a female solo ovipositing; the female was totally pale pruinose without white in her wings!

Flame Skimmer 1-2 males, one sharing a perch with a Cardinal Meadowhawk male

Blue Dasher – 1 mature male; one immature male (still ‘plaid’)

Cardinal Meadowhawk – several males and ovipositing pairs

Common Whitetail – a male and a female, not at the pond but near to it, sunning

…….

Mono County

Ron Oriti

Pupfish Pond (1^st Fishslough Rd. pond)

*Emerald Spreadwing Lestes dryas  - male and female photographed 

darners - many

flame skimmer - many

Western pondhawk – many

four-spotted Skimmer - many

eight-spotted Skimmer - many

hoary skimmers – a few

possibly a bleached skimmer

…….

Inyo County

Barbara Oriti

Bishop

I saw two male

8 spotted skimmers in the backyard, which was a treat!  Had a

Green darner here the next day, and there are lots of

Forktails by the ponds.

…….

Plumas County

Greg Kareofelas

Butterfly Valley

Tanypteryx hageni

*Leucorrhinia intacta Dot-tailed whiteface

Libellula quadrimaculata

June 3, 2008

Siskiyou County

Dave Payne

Shasta River.  Cool rainy weather.  Did see a few

River Jewelwing and

~50 Pacific Clubtail. I also saw

lots of teneral

dancers. I did not get much chance to look very hard for odes.

June 1, 2008

San Bernardino County

Peter Siminski

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve; 7:30-10:20, cloudless, 65-85F, light air.

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida  >20

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  3

Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens  >100, several large swarms of gliders feeding in several areas of the trail through the riparian area

and marsh.  At one point on the boardwalk they were zipping within inches of my head picking off gnats.

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  I think I picked out a few in the swarms of P. flavescens.

…….

Inyo County

Ron & Barbara Oriti

Lower Owens River area, Mazourka Springs. 

Comanche Skimmer - an immature or female 

Green darners

Western Pondhawks lots

Desert Whitetails lots

8 spots lots

Blue Dashers, some

Damselflies all sorts of including the Desert Firetail. 

Stopping at Klondike Lake north of Big Pine, there were several

Red Saddlebags, several

Black Saddlebags, many

Green darners, many

Pondhawks, and some

Variegateds.  The area has been flooded, and the dragonflies are now moving in!

…….

Mendocino County
Matthew Matthiessen 
Real Goods 
Beaverpond Baskettail
 
May

May 31, 2008

San Diego County 

Doug Aguillard and Pat

Coyote Canyon - 100 temp.

The canyon has a year round creek running through it (lots this year), and there are Willows and other plants growing

(sometimes lush) along the waterway.

Blue-eyed Darner (1)

Flame Skimmers (30+)

Roseate Skimmer (1)

Variegated Meadowhawk (1)

*White-belted Ringtail Erpetogomphus compositus (1)

Gray Sanddragons (12)

American Rubyspots (5)

Vivid Dancers (27)

California Dancers (34)

Familiar Bluet  (3)

We also saw many Tiger Beetles and our life Desert Iguana.

……..

Sonoma County 

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Ragle Park, Sebastopol

Exclamation Damsel – 2 males, 1 female, solo ovipositing and hiding under the leaves from the males!

Common Green Darner – 2 females or immature males, feeding

Blue-eyed Darner – 1  female feeding

……..

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

East Highline Canal at Sinclair Road; 12:30-14:15, cloudless, 90-95F, light breeze W.

American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana  >35

CA/Aztec Dancer, Argia sp.  1

Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta  >100, many tandem ovipositing.

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  >100, many tandem ovipositing.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  100s, many tandem ovipositing.

White-belted Ringtail, Erpetogomphus compositus  8

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  1

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  1

Note:  The mats of floating water milfoil (?) were covered with tandem ovipositing pairs of dancers and bluets.

CDFG Imperial Wildlife Area, Ramer Lake; 9:30-12:00, 80-90F, cloudless, light air.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  >30, many tandem pairs ovipositing.

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  4

Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta  2

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  5

Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa  1

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  1

___

May 30, 2008

Shasta (& Tehama) County 
Ray Bruun
North side of Battle Creek.  At this location, about eight miles southeast of Anderson, 
Battle Creek forms the boundary between Shasta and Tehama Counties.  
My goal was to find Sinuous Snaketail, which were fortunately out in good numbers.  
I also stopped briefly at Bear Creek, where it crosses Highway 44, about 15 miles east of Redding.
Western Pondhawk - several
Widow Skimmer - several
Common Whitetail - several
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - two or three (these were flybys at altitude and could have been Eight-spotted)
Flame Skimmer - 1 female (Bear Creek at Highway 44)
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 1 male
Pacific Clubtail - 1 male
*Grappletail Octogomphus specularis - 1 female
Sinuous Snaketail - many (most numerous ode)
American Rubyspot - 1 male
*Emma's Dancer Argia emma - several at Bear Creek and two at Battle Creek
Sooty Dancer - many young and teneral at Bear Creek; one or two at Battle Creek
California/Aztec Dancer - caught a glimpse of one or two smaller dancers, which were probably one of these
Vivid Dancer - several
Tule Bluet - 1 male
Skimmers & Damselflies - http://bruunphotography.com/Part_1_033108.html
Clubtails - http://bruunphotography.com/Part_2_033108.html

……..

Sonoma County 

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Sonoma Horticultural Gardens, Azalea Lane off Hessel Rd, SE of Sebastopol

Exclamation Damsel – many, perhaps 50. Ovipositing pairs observed with males in prone and sentinel (45 angle) guarding positions.
No other species was seen.

……..

Colusa County 
Greg Kareofelas
Ophiogomphus bison Bison Snaketail 

May 26, 2008 (Memorial Day)

Shasta County

Ray Bruun

Shingletown

*Bison Snaketail Ophiogomphus bison

May 24 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Lincoln Street ditch SW of Mecca, N of the Salton Sea; 12:00-12:25, 5% cumulus, ~72F, light breeze SE.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  2

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  1

Note:  The ditch was recently dredged.  The desert has been very cool and windy the last few days, barely getting up into the 70s with

clouds and near gale force winds and a few droplets earlier in the week and snow flurries in the mountains.  Very unusual for late May. 

Low numbers of odes out.  It was 110F last Sunday.

… 

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

CDGF Imperial Wildlife Area, Wister Unit, Ruddy Road area: 8:45-12:00, 10% altocumulus, 65-70F, calm to light air.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  1

Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta  1

Blue-ringed Dancer, A. sedula  7

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  8

Citrine Forktail, I. hastata  1

Rambur's Forktail, I. ramburii  7

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  1

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  1

Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens  1

Spot-winged Glider, P. hymenaea  2

…….

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis, Ray Bruun, Cary Kerst, M.O.

American River Parkway in Sacramento. Weather at the beginning of the walk (10 a.m.) was overcast with a light drizzle and a temperature

of about 56 °F. Initially, no odonate activity was observed, but as the party walked through dense grasses and sedges bordering a backwater

 lagoon of the river, they found small clusters of dragonflies, mostly

Widow Skimmers (Libellula luctuosa) with some

Twelve-spotted Skimmers (L. pulchella),

Common Whitetails (Plathemis lydia), and damselflies, including

bluets (Enallagma civile,

E. carunculatum, and

E. praevarum),

Pacific Forktails (Ischnura cervula) and

Z. exclamationis. Most of these odonates, particularly the anisopterans and the bluets, were perched within a few inches of the ground

in fairly dense vegetation, and were so cold as to allow them to be easily picked up by hand, but not the Exclamation Damsels.

 
May 23, 2008
Yolo County
Zach Smith
trail along creek between 1-80 and UCDavis airport; 1300-1500
Cal. dancer - dozens (many ovipositing)
Emma's dancer - many (some in tandem)
Bluet sp - dozens (bit shaky on this ID, as I'm not great with damsels)
Exclamation damsel - several (my first...finally)
Pacific forktail - several
Green darner - 1 hawking insects high
Pac. clubtail - many m/f, more f
W. river cruiser - 1 male 
Blue dasher - 2 males
W. pondhawk - few females, 1 male
12-spotted skimmer - 1 female
Widow skimmer - several females
C. whitetail - many females, several males
Flame skimmer - several of each sex
P-f. clubskimmer - 1 female
…….

Lake County

Greg Kareofelas 
Cordulegaster dorsalis Pacific Spiketail 
 

May 20, 2008

Lake County

Cary Kerst

Guenoc Pond

Tule Bluet

California Darner

Blue-eyed Darner

Pacific Clubtail

Beaverpond Baskettail

Flame Skimmer

8-spotted Skimmer

Variegated Meadowhawk

Common Whitetail

 …

Napa County

Pope Creek - not much flying. 

Northern Bluet

Beaverpond Baskettail

8-spotted Skimmer

Flame Skimmer
 

May 19, 2008

Siskiyou County

Dave Payne

Hudson Road in the lower Shasta River canyon. Weather was gorgeous, sunny and clear, low 90's, no

wind. I stopped at 1700 hrs to catch a quick look to see who was on the wing. I only stayed 5 minutes or so.

River Jewelwing Calopteryx aequabilis - both males and females present. Saw 4 males, 2 females

Vivid Dancer - a couple of males

Blue-eyed Darner - 2 males patrolling

Pacific Clubtails - seen first along the dirt road, maybe 25 to 50.

…….

Sonoma County
Doug Vaughan
Lake Ralphine (Santa Rosa). Weather was partly cloudy, 72 degrees.
Vivid Dancer (Argia vivida) -- a few
bluets (Enallagma spp.) -- several tandem pairs
Pacific Forktail (Ischnura cervula) -- only 2 males
Pacific Clubtail (Gomphus kurilis) -- several
Beaverpond Baskettail (Epitheca canis) -- several
Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum) -- about 10 males
*Red-veined Meadowhawk (S. madidum) -- 1 male (new early date for Sonoma Co – kb)
W. Pondhawk (Erythemis collocata) -- 1-2 males
Com. Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) -- abundant (100?); the few females included one ovipositing
Eight-spotted Skimmer (Libellula forensis) -- about 10, mostly males
Flame Skimmer (L. saturata) -- 10-20 males
…….
Inyo County
Ron & Barbara Oriti

Mazourka Springs, hot weather 

Pondhawks –abundant

Desert Whitetails- lots

Hoary Skimmers - many

Eight-spotted Skimmers - many

Blue Dashers - a couple 

Green Darners - some

Mosaics/Tropical Darners – some

damsels of many kinds, abundant including a couple Desert Firetails

It was just wonderful to see so many dragonflies at one place!       

Klondike Lake - on the way home

Variegateds - some

Green Darners - some

Four-spotted Skimmer - one

Red Saddlebags - a couple

…….

Colusa County

Cary Kerst

Bear Creek off Hwy 20

American Rubyspot

Sooty Dancer

Vivid Dancer

Northern Bluet

*Boreal Bluet Enallagma boreale

Desert Forktail

Pacific Clubtail

California Darner

*Gray Sanddragon Progomphus borealis

Flame Skimmers (lots)

(and a beautiful King Snake)

…….

San Luis Obispo County

John Sterling

TV Tower Road 

*Pacific Spiketail Cordulegaster dorsalis

May 18, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Lake Fulmor in the San Jacinto Mountains, USFS; 10:35- 12:30, sunny, 75-85F, ~5mph wind SW.

Northern Bluet, Enallagma annexum  ~20 (3 in hand)

Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula  >50

Rhionaeschna sp.   ~15 (looked like both multicolor and californica present, they would not hold still).

Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum  6 

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  ~25 including one female ovipositing.

……..
Napa County
Zach Smith
NW of L. Berryessa along Butts Cyn. Rd. (NE of Aetna Springs); 1200-1330
Sooty dancer - several
Argia spp. (Cal and/or Vivid. which is more likely?) - several, some in tandem
*Black Petaltail Tanypteryx hageni - 2
Pacific clubtail - many
Beaverpond Baskettail - 1
*Western River Cruiser Macromia magnifica - 1
8-spotted skimmer - several
12-spotted skimmer – few
…….
Santa Barbara County
Nick Lethaby
Goleta
Red Saddlebags 

…….

Siskiyou County

Cary Kerst

Shasta River - it was interesting to see sooo many Pacific Clubtails emerging.  There were lots in the process, exuviae floating in the water,

 and tenerals in the brush. 

*River Jewelwing Calopteryx aequabilis

Dancer tenerals - I think Vivids

Tule Bluet

Northern Bluet

Western Forktail

California Darner

Green Darners

May 17, 2008
Tehama County
Bruce Deuel
…a first for my yard, today, a female Sooty Dancer.  My yard is 7 miles west of Red Bluff 
On May 15 I had my first Flame Skimmer and Spot-winged Glider.  
……..
Shasta County

Ray Bruun

Baum Lake in eastern Shasta County

*Swift Forktail – last report of 2008

Common Green Darner - several males + one pair in wheel

California Darner (probable) - several

Common Whitetail - 2 males

Cardinal-or-Red-veined Meadowhawk - 1 male

Tule Bluet - several

Western Forktail – several

Pacific Forktail -several

…….

Colusa County
Dave and Kathy Biggs
Bear Creek @ Hwy 20; 6:15-6:40; 97-98F; windy
American Rubyspot - one male
Emma's Dancer - one female
No./Bo. Bluet - common
Western Forktail - one male
Darner sp.  - one (NOT a Giant!)
Flame Skimmer - some (7+)
Skimmer Sp. – two

…….
Siskiyou County
Dave and Kathy Biggs; Bob and Patti Claypole
Dragonfly Roost Pond, Mt. Shasta Forest, McCloud: noon, 92F
#Twelve-spotted Skimmer - one female or immature male circled the pond.
It arrived at the same time dozens of Tortoiseshell Butterflies were migrating thru at ground level, and gulls were migrating thru at about

2X the height of the evergreens.
Soda Springs, Squaw Creek, Squaw Valley Rd., McCloud: 2:30-3:15; 94F
*Swift Forktail Ischnura erratica - abundant
Western Forktail - some
Twelve-spotted Skimmer - many
Four-spotted Skimmer - many
Common Whitetail - one male seen by Patti
Cardinal Meadowhawk - ~6 - we assume this species: They had red legs, but showed a little black on the underside of the abdomen

and atop segs. 8 & 9. Wing coloration also looked more like a Red-veined. We tried to get pictures but I haven't had a chance to look at them yet....

…….

San Diego County

Peter Siminski

Santa Margarita River below Sandia Creek Road N of Fallbrook; 9:45-13:20, sunny, 75-95F, light wind ~5mph SW.

American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana  ~18

CA/Aztec Dancer, Argia sp.  1 (could not get my net on it).

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida  2

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  >60 many as tandem ovipositing pairs (3 in hand).

Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum  3 in hand.

Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma praevarum  3 in hand.

Tule/Arroyo Bluets, Enallagma sp.  ~20 including about 6 ovipositing tandem pairs.

Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula  5

Black-fronted Forktail, Ischnura denticollis  5

Desert Firetail, Telebasis salva  11 including an ovipositing pair, an ovipositing lone female and a tandem.

Giant Darner, Anax walsinghami  3

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  4

Gray Sanddragon, Progomphus borealis  2

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  5

Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum  1

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  6

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  ~30

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  ~25 including an ovipositing female.

Red Rock Skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes  1

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  3

Wandering Glider, Pantala flavescens  1

…….

Monterey County

Dan Singer and Don Roberson
upper San Antonio River site near Wagon  Caves; still good river flow but winter flows have changed  some habitat a bit, taking out some thickets. 
It was very hot -- over 100 degrees we think.
Upper San Antonio River, Los Padres NF, near Wagon Caves, MTY; 1115-1415; very hot and calm
Sooty Dancer 2 (m, f in tandem)
Vivid Dancer 20
Emma's Dancer 5 (2 tandems + one extra male)
female Dancer 1, possibly Calif?? [need to check photos]
Northern Bluet 100 [i.d. presumed; none caught. All netted here last  May were Northern]
Western Forktail 1 ad fem
Blue-eyed Darner 1 m
Cardinal Meadowhawk 10
Flame Skimmer 8
*Pale-faced Clubskimmer Brechmorhoga mendax 1 [in patrol flight]
[but no river cruisers, found here last May]
We also added species at brief stops at a small fishing pond on Ft. Hunter-Liggett
Familiar Bluet 2 m + 5 tenerals, presumed this species
Blue Dasher 1
San Antonio River at crossing of Nacimiento-Fergussen Road, Ft.  Hunter-Liggett
Pacific Clubtail 1 ad male, perched in reeds (photos) and doing patrolling flights over river [there are only a couple prior records for the county]
Variegated Meadowhawk 1 m
We also found a previously unknown active eyrie of Prairie Falcon

May 14-15, 2008

Imperial County

Doug Willick

East Highline Canal, or north of Bard, along the All American Canal

American Rubyspot 12-15

Powdered Dancer (dozens to 100s each day)

Blue-ringed Dancer (dozens; East Highline Canal)

Bluet/Dancers 100s to 1000s along the East Highline Canal (maybe all or mostly Familiar Bluets?)

Desert Forktail 15

Rambur’s Forktail a few (Bard)

Familiar Bluet (several)

Common Green Darner (a couple)

Western Pondhawk 5+

Blue Dasher 10-15

Mexican Amberwing 4-5 (s. of Imperial Dam)

Flame Skimmer 5

*Roseate Skimmer Orthemis ferruginea  1 male [first sighting of 2008 flight season, only 2 days later than earliest ever record.

This species flies May – January - kb]

Red Rock Skimmer Paltothemis lineatipes 1 M (Bard, near the Colorado River) – photo record, CA Ode Distribution Chart #98, OC#:
282253

Wandering Glider 1 (6 May 2008, also East Highline Canal)

Variegated Meadowhawk 5 to 10

Black Saddlebags 1

Red Saddlebags 4

May 8, 9, 16, 2008

Sonoma County

Alan Wight

Nagasawa Park in Santa Rosa

Pacific Forktail - many, all days

Tule Bluet - many, all days, examined in hand

Vivid Dancer - 1 on May 9

*Black Spreadwing Lestes stultus  - 2 on May 8, 4+ on May 9, 10+ on May 16, examined in hand

California Darner - 1+ all days

Blue-eyed Darner (?) - 2+ on May 9, seen in flight

Beaverpond Baskettail - 1 on May 8, 4+ on May 9

Pacific Clubtail - 1 on May 8

Cardinal Meadowhawk - 1 on May 9

Flame Skimmer - 1+, all days

Common Whitetail - 1+, all days

Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis  - many, all days

Western Pondhawk - 1+, all days

Blue Dasher - 1 on May 8, 1 on May 9

May 9, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis and San Andres Oasis; 8:40-14:20, cirrus, 75-90F, calm to light winds SW.

CA/Aztec Dancer, Argia sp  1

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta  3 (one in hand)

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  ~17 including four ovipositing tandem pairs.

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida  3

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  4 including an ovipositing pair.

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  1

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  >45 including a wheel.

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  5

*Red-tailed Pennant, Brachymesia furcata  12

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  ~30 including a wheel.

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  >100 including a wheel.

** *Comanche Skimmer, Libellula comanche  10 [new early date; old date 5/20/2006 – kb]

Bleached Skimmer, Libellula composita  3

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  ~22

*Marl Pennant, Macrodiplax balteata  >40 including a tandem pair ovipositing.

Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  2

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  3

Note:  The 100+ Washingtonia palms to the east of the main spring at Dos Palmas were recently burned; no skirts left, trunks black.

May 8, 2008

Yolo County

Gary Zamzow
Davis backyard

*Eight-spotted Skimmer Libellula forensis  - female

12-spotted skimmer – female

Great comparison shots taken
 …….
Colusa County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Bear Creek @ Hwy 20
We stopped for ~1/2 hr from12-12:30. 74F, no wind. From the road we saw
American Rubyspot - 1 m
Familiar Bluet - several
Tule Bluet - several
Bluet sp - quite a few
Vivid Dancer - 1 f
Pacific Clubtail - several (~6-8)
Common Green Darner
California Darner (appeared to be several)
Blue-eyed Darner (one appeared to be this species)
Flame Skimmer - several (6-8?)
no others seen
Sacramento Game Refuge/I-5
1-1:10 - ponds by visitor's center
NO ODES AT ALL!

May 5, 2008
San Diego County
Gary Suttle
Dos Picos county Park pond, near Ramona
*Aztec Dancer Argia nahuana (in hand)
Tule Bluet  (in hand)
Arroyo Bluet  (in hand)
Familiar Bluet  (in hand)
Pacific Forktail
Desert Firetail
Common Green Darner
Variegated Meadowhawk
Blue Dasher
Common Whitetail  several males and a single ovipositing female
Flame Skimmer
Red Saddlebags

May 3, 2008

San Bernardino County

Peter Siminski

Mojave River below the BLM campground in Afton Canyon; 10:15-13:10, sunny, 80-90F, light wind 5mph NW.

California Dancer, Argia agrioides  6 (one in hand)

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta  >80 including many tandem and ovipositing pairs.

Black-fronted Forktail, Ischnura denticollis  >60 including eight tandem pairs.

*Desert Firetail, Telebasis salva  15 including one tandem pair.

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  1

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  2

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  >50 almost all freshly emerged and weakly flying.

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  >40 including four ovipositing females and one wheel.

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  ~35 including one wheel.

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  2

Soda Mineral Spring pond at Zzyzx; 14:30-15:50, high cirrus, ~95F, calm.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  26 including three tandem ovipositing pairs.

Tule or Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum or praevarum  2, they looked like E. carunculatum.

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  10 including one wheel.

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  2

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  2

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  23 including one wheel and one ovipositing female.

May 2, 2008

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis+

{In the} morning while doing yardwork in the backyard, I had close looks at a male Sinuous Snaketail (Ophiogomphus occidentis),

only the second time I have seen one in my yard.  This got me thinking that they must be emerging in pretty good numbers along

the nearby American River, so I hiked around some backwater lagoons in the American River Parkway behind Rio Americano High

School from about 1:30 to 4:00 p.m.  Ode seens included:

Tule Bluet -- a couple males netted; 75-100 other possibles seen

Arroyo Bluet -- two males netted; 75-100 other possibles seen (no doubt some overlap with Tule Bluets)

Familiar Bluet -- a couple of males netted; 100+ others seen

Pacific Forktail -- 80

Exclamation Damsel -- easily 200-300 seen, the most common damselfly species seen

Common Green Darner -- 30

*Sinuous Snaketail Ophiogomphus occidentis -- 12

Pacific Clubtail -- 3 or 4

Western Pondhawk -- 1 male

Common Whitetail -- 75

** *Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa – 10; new early flight date, old date 5/5/2004

12-spotted Skimmer -- 3

Variegated Meadowhawk – 16

+Kathy and Dave Biggs went to the same site right after Tim (he lead us there), from 4:30-5:00 for ½ hr and were able to repeat all of

Tim’s observed species except the Pacific Clubtail, 12-spotted Skimmer and Pondhawk.

…….

Inyo County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Hot Tub – [site for Desert Whitetails @ 2007Blitz] – 50F

No odes seen

Fales Hot Springs - runoff creek from, Hwy 395 @ Bircham Rd. – 58F, 12:15-12:30

** *River Bluet, Enallagma anna – one teneral seen – still all soft and colorless – new early flight date: old date 6/3/2005

May 1, 2008

Mono County

Ron & Barbara Oriti; Kathy & Dave Biggs

Pupfish Pond (1^st Fishslough Rd. pond)       

Four-spotted Skimmers - many

Flame Skimmer - 1   

Black Saddlebags - 1   

* **Paddletail Darner Aeshna palmata  - 1 male seen well while perched by Kathy thru binoculars new early flight data: old date 5/11/07   

Hoary Skimmer - 1   

Black-fronted Forktail

Paiute Dancer

[note: Ron saw a Desert Whitetail at this site the next day]

Fish Slough #4:           

California Darner - 1  probably this species,  a little small & grayish

Western Pondhawk - 1   female

Paiute Dancer

Vivid Dancer

Forktail,  possibly a Western or Desert  ?

Black-fronted Forktail

Pacific Forktail

Fish Slough #3:     

Blue-eyed  Darner

California Darner

Flame Skimmer - 1    

Western Pondhawks, 1 male, 1 female

Four-spotted Skimmer - 1   

Aztec/CA   Dancer

Blue-ringed Dancer

Bluet, sp.

Fish Slough #2:              

Western Pondhawk - 1   

Four-spotted Skimmer - 1   

Darner sp, mosaic typle - 1   

Black-fronted Forktail

Pacific Forktail

…

Inyo County

Fish Slough #1:              

Darner 1    

Variegated Meadowhawk 1   

Western Forktail  

April

April 30, 2008
Inyo County
Kathy & Dave Biggs

Mazourka Springs @ Mazourka Rd. off 395, Independence, 75F, 4:15-4:45

Paiute Dancer - many

Black-fronted Forktail - many

Western Pondhawk – a few

Hoary Skimmer – 1 male
Dirty Socks Springs @ Owens Lake, 3:00-3:30, 74-76F, windy

Blue-ringed Dancer 

Paiute Dancer

Tule Bluet 

Black-fronted Forktail

Desert Forktail 

April 29, 2008
San Bernardino County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Joshua Tree National Park; Barker Dam

What a disappointment - no Roseate Skimmers this time!

Familiar Bluet 

Variegated Meadowhawk 

April 28, 2008
Riverside County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Lake Fulmor (small - a few acres)/ Hwy 243; 5000'+ elevation, 1-1:30, 76-78F
Pacific Forktail - dozens inc. 1 young female
Western Forktail - 1 mature female
Tule Bluet - mostly males
Blue-eyed Darner - 1-2 dozen prowling males, 1 female in a tandem
Common Green Darner - 2 males
Flame Skimmer - 2-3 males
Cardinal Meadowhawk - 2-3 males
Coachella Valley Preserve, 4-4:45, 97-93F
American Rubyspot- 1 female
Sooty Dancer - about 6 males
Vivid Dancer - many

April 27, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Coachella Valley Preserve, Thousand Palms Oasis; 9:10-12:00, light high cirrus, 85-92F, calm to light N wind.

California Dancer, Argia agrioides  5 including one tandem pair (one in hand)

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta  5 (one in hand)

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida  16 including 4 tandem pairs.

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  4

…….

Orange County
Kathy & Dave Biggs, mo
El Dorado Nature Center, Longbeach
11-12:30, 97F
Pacific Forktail - some
Familiar Bluet - many, inc. one on maiden flight, tandems &wheels
Blue Dasher - many males

April 26, 2008

San Diego County

Doug Aguillard

Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument

Wandering Glider - 1

Bledsloe's Pond in the Tijuana River Valley

Blue-eyed Darners- 4

Flame Skimmer - 1

Cardinal Meadowhawk- 1

Blue Dasher - 1

Pacific Forktail - 1

In the eastern portion of the Tijuana River Valley,

Black-fronted Forktails - 20

Blue Dasher - 1

Lily lake at Greenwood

Flame Skimmers - 2

Blue Dashers - 20

Blue-eyed Darner - 1

…….

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

CDFG San Jacinto Wildlife Area; 9:10-13:30, sunny, 75-90F, calm to light W wind.

Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum  2 (1 in hand)

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  100s including many tandem pairs ovipostiing (3 in hand)

Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula  3

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  7

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  >30 including one wheel.

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  1

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  3 including one ovipositing female.

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  8

*Mexican Amberwing, Perithemis intensa  1

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  14 including three tandem pairs.

Note:  Thousands of Painted ladies; >30 per minute crossing roads in a northerly direction; many feeding on mustard.

…….
Los Angeles County
Kathy & Dave Biggs, mo
Madrona Marsh, Torrance
4-5 pm, 80F but windy
Pacific Forktail - a few
Common Green Darner
Mosaic-type Darner
Blue Dasher - many males
Variegated Meadowhawk - one teneral female

April 22, 2008

Mono County

Ron Oriti

Fish Slough – out fishing!

Darners -  a couple

Flame skimmers

Four-spotted Skimmer Libellula quadrimaculata…a couple dozen; -really good photos [new early date for Hoary by nearly 3 wks - kb]

** *Hoary Skimmer Libellula nodisticta … got some really good photos of the Hoary too. [new early date for Hoary by 6 days - kb]

** *Desert Whitetail Libellula subornata  [new early date for Hoary by nearly 3 wks - kb]

April 19, 2008

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

CDFG Imperial Wildlife Area, Wister Area, HQ and Ruddy Road ponds and ditches; 9:30-12:40, sunny, 75-85 degrees, light wind S.

*Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta  4

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  >40 including ~10 tandem pairs ovipositing.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  ~15 including an ovipositing tandem pair.

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  >45 including 5 wheels and ~10 ovipositing females.

Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata  2

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  2

Darner sp.   1

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  4, all young males.

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  1

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  3

East Highline Canal at Sinclair Road: 13:30-14:45, sunny, 85 degrees, windy 10-15 mph SW.

American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana  ~22

Powdered Dancer, Argia moesta  >60 including ~5 ovipositing tandem pairs.

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  >100 including many ovipositing tandem pairs.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  >100 including many ovipositing tandem pairs.

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  2M

April 18, 2008

Butte County

Ray Bruun

Bidwell Park in Chico

It was blustery and unseasonably cool.  Nine ode species were flying:
Common Whitetail - one female
Beaverpond Baskettail - two patrolling
Pacific Clubtail - perhaps one (several were seen at Cone Grove Park in Tehama County)
Vivid Dancer - several males, one female
*Emma's Dancer Argia emma - several males and females
*Sooty Dancer Argia lugens - one female (probable)
*Northern Bluet Enallagma annexum - one male
Tule Bluet - one male
Pacific Forktail - several males (many males and females in Tehama County)

…….

San Diego County

Pete Spino

I took a walk around Mission Trails RP for an hour.
The weather was very warm and sunny with light winds from the west.
Visited the grasslands and Mission Dam area only.  Did not visit lake.
Flame Skimmer  (2)
Red Rock Skimmer  (2-3)
Variegated Meadowhawk  
*Giant Darner Anax walslinghami!
Familiar Bluet  (4)
Blue-ringed Dancer  (2)
Vivid Dancer  (3-4)
Spot-winged Glider
…….

Mono County

Barbara & Ron Oriti
Fish Slough
Green Darners
Flame Skimmers
Variegated Meadowhawks
** *Four-spotted Skimmers Libellula quadrimaculata - a couple dozen: Didn't know what they were at first, for we did not recognize 
the colors on their bodies.  Once I got a good look at their wings though, I could see that they were Four-spots. They all must have just 
emerged at about the same time, for they were all so pristine and beautiful!  [these were first seen on the 17th by Ron who brought 
Barbara back the next day to help with the ID – kg]

April 17, 2008

Sonoma County

David Hofmann

Frances Neilsen Park in Santa Rosa

Beaverpond Baskettails  5-6

California Darners

Pacific Forktails

I also noticed that Canada Geese have taken up residence at this pond, and the ponds at Shiloh Ranch Regional Park. 

I wonder what impact they have on emerging dragonflies.

April 13-19, 2008

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs, Gloria & Harry Conley

Their Sebastopol backyard ponds
Pacific Forktail – a few
Western Forktail – a few
Vivid Dancer – 1 at Biggs
California Darner – at least 1 at Biggs
Cardinal Meadowhawk – 5 (2 pairs +1m) at Biggs; emergence slowdown from 30 to 12 to only 5 a day at Conley pond
…….
Sacramento County
Tim Manolis
American River
Common Whitetails (a fair number)
Green Darners (some patrolling males and even an ovipositing pair!) 
Variegated Meadowhawks (a few)
Exclamation Damsels,
Pacific Forktails
Arroyo, Tule, Familiar Bluets -- fairly common in another spot along the parkway
Vivid Dancers (a few, my first of the year)

April 16, 2008

San Diego County

Rocky Just

Santee

Town Center Pkwy (Behind Wall Mart in SD River area)

20 or more Blue Dasher (Immature)

3 Flame Skimmer

April 15, 2008

San Diego County

Rocky Just

Mission Trails Regional Park (Padre Dam Area)

4 Flame Skimmer

1 Female Variegated Meadowhawk

April 14. 2008

Inyo County

Ron Oriti

Owens River

Flame Skimmers

April 13, 2008

San Diego County

Peter Siminski

Santa Margarita River below Sandia Creek Road, north of Fallbrook; 9:30 - 13:30, sunny, 75-90 degrees, calm.

American Rubyspot, Hetaerina americana  >25

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida  11 including three tandem pairs.

Familiar bluet, Enallagma civile  2

Tule Bluet, Enallagma carunculatum  2 in hand.

*Arroyo Bluet, Enallagma praevarum  6 in hand.

Enallagma praevarum or carunculatum  >35 including many tandem pairs and tandem ovipositing; seemed like mostly E. praevarum.

Pacific Forktail, Ischnura cervula  ~15

Black-fronted Forktail, Ischnura denticollis  9 including two wheels.

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  5 including one tandem pair.

Rhionaeschna sp  1

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  2

Cardinal Meadowhawk, Sympetrum illotum  10

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  >15 including ovipositing female.

*Red Rock Skimmer, Paltothemis lineatipes  3 including a brief wheel

…

Douglas Aguillard

National City

Spot-winged Glider - glided through my backyard this afternoon

April 12, 2008

San Diego County

Doug Aguillard

Pt. Loma

2 Variegated Meadowhawks and one Blue-eyed Darner;

5 Vivid Dancers in Florida Canyon also.

April 11, 2008

San Diego

Rocky Just

Mission Trails Regional Park (Jackson Drive Area down dirt road in river in bed)

1 Cardinal Meadowhawk (male)

 
April 9, 2008
Shasta County

Kathy & Dave Biggs, Ray Bruun, Rob

Turtle Bay, Redding

Bluets – a few, one seen fairly well appeared to be a Tule Bluet

Common Green Darner – 1 patrolling

Beaverpond Baskettail – ~12, feeding males and females, all with eyes still brown

Common Whitetail – 1 teneral male

April 7, 2008

Santa Barbara County

Adam Lewis

Lake Los Carneros County Park.  The location is just NE of the intersection of US HWY101 and Los Carneros Rd in Goleta.

Red Saddlebags, 1 male, images taken [note: this seems very early for this far north – kb]

April 6, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis; 8:50-15:00, sunny, 70-85 degrees, Light wind ~5 mph NW.

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta  >30 including 3 tandem pairs (a few ID'd in hand).

Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  >20 including 2 tandem pairs ovipositing (a few ID'd in hand).

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  >25 including ~6 tandem pairs.

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  5 including 1 wheel.

Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata  1

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  >35 including 4 wheels.

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  5

Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  1

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  2

Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  >75 including one brief wheel and 5 ovipostiing females.

Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  >100 including 2 wheels.

** *Bleached Skimmer, Libellula composita  5M (photo posted) {new early date – old date 5/27! – kb]

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  >45 including 2 wheels and 3 oviposting females.

*Black Saddlebags, Tramea lacerata  6

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  1

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  2

April 5, 2008

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

Palo Verde Oxbow, ~20 miles S of Blythe along Colorado River; 9:50-11:50, sunny, 70-80 degrees, light wind ~5mph W.

Double-striped Bluet, Enallagma basidens  6 ( 2 in hand, several poor photos)

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  ~40 including tandem pairs

Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata  1

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  8

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  2

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  2

…….

Sonoma County

Gloria & Harry Conley

Their Sebastopol backyard

Cardinal Meadowhawk – one female ovipositing, still dozens emerging

 
April 4, 2008
Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Pepperwood Preserve, hills east of Windsor (not open to individuals)
Upper pond of the Double Ponds, 62 & sunny, 2 pm
Bluet sp. - 2 males of no/bo/familiar type - seen just for a second or two
*Western Forktail Ischnura perparva - 6-10 mature females, some ovipositing,

all with the drooping abdomens saying 'honey I have a headache'!

This species is said to only mate once, and I think they were already all fertile!
Cardinal Meadowhawks - 2 mature males, 'dog-fighting'

April 3, 2008
Sonoma County

Gloria & Harry Conley, Kathy & Dave Biggs

The Conley’s Sebastopol backyard

Cardinal Meadowhawk – we watched ~25 nymph emerge and become flying dragonflies

Pacific Forktail – a few emerging

March

March 30, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Mayflower County Park, ~8 miles N of Blythe along Colorado River; 13:15-14:50, sunny, 80 degrees, very windy 20-25mph SW.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  >30 including several tandem ovipositing pairs.

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  2

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 4 including one ovipositing tandem pair.

Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta  3

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  5, all feeding together low over grassy picnic area beating into the wind.

….

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

Palo Verde Oxbow, ~20 miles S of Blythe along Colorado River; 9:40-12:25, sunny, 70-80 degrees, very windy 10-20mph W.

* **Double-striped Bluet, Enallagma basidens  1F (in hand) [new early date, old date 5/28/05 – kb]

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  >20

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  ~15

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  1

*Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis  1

…….

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Pine Flat Rd, Healdsburg, 50, windy

Vivid Dancer – 1 male, 1 teneral – seep above Rebizzo Ranch.

March 29, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Coachella Valley Preserve, Thousand Palms Oasis; 13:00-15:00, sunny, 80-85 degrees, very windy 10-20mph N.

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta  7

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida  >35 including at least 9 tandem pairs, some ovipositing.

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  7

*Blue-eyed Darner, Rhionaeschna multicolor  1

Variegate Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  1

Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  2

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  1

March 27, 2008

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

American River Parkway, Sacramento

Pacific Forktail -- 20+, about half of these mature, the rest tenerals

Bluets -- 100 easily, most tenerals, thus hard to ID

Familiar Bluet -- at least 3 males seen

*Tule Bluet Enallagma carunculatum -- at least one male seen; rest too hard to ID because of teneral condition.

This spot had lots of Arroyo Bluets last spring, and there could have been some there today,

but they were just too teneral to attempt capture.

*Exclamation Damsel Zoniagrion exclamationis  -- 1-2 mature males seen, one teneral male seen; possibly more,

lots of the teneral female damselflies seen were too

patternless to even ID to genus!

*Pacific Clubtail Gomphus kurilis -- one teneral male seen on its maiden flight.

** *Common Whitetail Libellula lydia -- one teneral female seen. [New early flight date for greater SW by 3 days – kb]

One Dragonfly at a distance might have been a Variegated Meadowhawk

…….

Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Sebastopol

Cardinal Meadowhawk – our first male to come to the pond, already mostly red-colored

March 26, 2008

Sonoma County

Gloria and Harry Conley

Sebastopol:

At least 9 *Cardinal Meadowhawks emerging from their backyard pond today (and it might rain tonite!). They saw a couple of

damselflies too.

March 25, 2008
Sonoma County
Kathy & Dave Biggs
Sebastopol

California Darner – 1 male circled the pond a few times an 1:30

March 24, 2008

Shasta County

Ray Bruun

Redding, near the Sacramento River in (East Turtle Bay).
*Beaverpond Baskettail – 1, patrolling 

March 23, 2008

San Diego County

Bob Miller

Coyote Canyon Borrego Springs. Anza-Borrego State Park

A drive up Coyote Canyon gave me a chance to sort out the damsels seen last week in the stream. 

About a dozen Vivid Dancers, some in wheel, and one lone male Rambur's Forktail.

……..

Sonoma County

Kathy Biggs

Town of Bloomfield (between Sebastopol and Valley Ford)

At an Easter Party egg hunt, one female Pacific Forktail.

March 22, 2008

Orange County

Bruce Deuel

Harbor Lakes Park in Long Beach 
Pacific Forktail -  1 male and 1 female and 1 smaller damsel that wouldn't sit still for an i.d.

March 20, 2008

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs 
Sonoma Horticultural Gardens, Sebastopol 2:00 -2:30, 59-62 degrees, sun, light breeze.
We were looking for Exclamation Damsels. 2 male Pacific Forktails got our hopes 
up, but no Exclamations were seen. BTW: This is only the 2nd time we've seen Pacific Forktails, or 
ANY other damselfly there, although the Exclamation Damsels can # in the hundreds on any given day...
…….
San Diego County 
Gary Suttle 
Lake Poway inlet creek, Poway 
*Black-fronted Forktail Ischnura denticollis

March 15, 2008

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

CDFG Imperial Wildlife Area, Ramer Lake and Finney Lake, 9:00-12:00, sunny, 60-70 degrees, windy 10-15 mph.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  4

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  5

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  1

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  1

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  6

March 13, 2008

Inyo County

Ron and Barbara Oriti

Farmer’s Pond

…4 definite Variegated Meadowhawks, and a nice male Green Darner flew right in front of me.  Those were the positive IDs. 

There was a pair ovipositing, but couldn't get close enough to tell what they were.  Also, there was another one with a red abdomen,

but he was just beyond the range of my binoculars for me to make out any markings.  There were a couple others flying around,

but they were spooky and kept their distance. 

…….

Sonoma County

Kathy and Dave Biggs

Lake Ralphine in Santa Rosa - 3 pm; only 63 - the wind was whipping up whitecaps on tiny

Pacific Forktail - ~8; a few mature males, some immature males and immature females. No mating behavior.

March 9, 2008

Monterey County

Steve Rovell

While playing soccer today, I viewed at close range a California Darner. This was at Marina High School, in Marina.  

………

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis; 8:25-13:15, sunny, 70-80 degrees, windy 10-15 mph NW.

CA/Aztec Dancer, Agria sp.  1 (couldn't get my net on it)

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta  7 (one wheel) (one in-hand)

*Blue-ringed Dancer, Argia sedula  3 (one in-hand) [ties last year’s earliest ever reported date –kb]

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida  5 (one wheel)

*Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  4

Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  5

*Citrine Forktail, Ischnura hastata  1F (in-hand)

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  22

Common Green Darner, Anax junius  3

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  2 (one had just emerged; was had not yet fully unfolded)

*Western Pondhawk, Erythemis collocata  1M

*Flame Skimmer, Libellula saturata  2

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  2

March 8, 2008

Sonoma County

Kathy & Dave Biggs

Their Sebastopol backyard

California Darner – 1, very young with wings glistening

……

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

Fig Lagoon; 10:00-12:00, thin high cirrus, 70-75 degrees, calm.

*Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  1

Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  2

Note: one tandem pair of skimmer-like odes ovipositing far out in lagoon.

Sunbeam Lake County Park; 12:15-13:15, clear, ~80 degrees, calm.

Familiar Bluet, Enallagma civile  >25; many tandem and ovipositing in algae.

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  3

*Red Saddlebags, Tramea onusta 1

…….

San Diego County

Bob Miller

Coyote Canyon in Anza Borrego Desert State Park

** *American Rubyspot Hetaerina americana – one at one of the stream crossings. [New early date, old date 3/14/07 – kb]

There were also several dancers that I did not get to ID fully.  The males were intensely blue with the tops of the abdomens being

almost entirely black. I am thinking either Paiute or Blue-ringed Dancers but..........

March 4, 2008

Sonoma County

Harry & Gloria Conley

Their Sebastopol pond

Pacific Forktail – 1 colorless teneral

March 2, 2008

Imperial County

Peter Siminski

CDFG Imperial Wildlife Area, Wister Unit, Ruddy Rd. and Mud Pot area ditches;

9:45-12:00, sunny, ~70 degrees, very windy 20-25mph North.

**Desert Forktail, Ischnura barberi  4 [new early flight date – old date 3/9/2007 – kb]

Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii  2

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum 1 (seemed fresh i.e. glassy intact wings, colors bright)

**Spot-winged Glider, Pantala hymenaea  7 (coursing back and forth on the leeside of the Tamarix or Arundo lining the ditches; 

feeding individually not in a swarm)  [new early flight date – old date 3/3/2007 – kb]

March 1, 2008

Sacramento County

Tim Manolis

Had my first S. corruptum (a rather old one, by the looks of him/her) of the year
(for California at least – saw one in Florida a week or so ago) in my backyard today. 
Either it over wintered locally or is an early "Spring migrant."
 
February

February 29, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Coachella Valley Preserve, Thousand Palms Oasis, 9:00-10:50, clear, light wind, 65-75 degrees.

California Dancer, Argia agrioides 1(in-hand and photos sent to Kathy B for posting)

Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 2 (2 in-hand and photos for 1 sent to Kathy B for posting)

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 8

Note: All were seen along the path leading from the Wilhelm Grove to the McCallum Grove near the marsh closer to the Wilhelm Grove. 

The A. agrioides (2 spots on lateral abdominal seg #2) was seen today and 24 February sitting in the sun on the boardwalk. 

The A. alberta was seen a little further on the dirt path as you climb up from the last boardwalk section heading to the McCallum Grove;

Reference coordinates: 33.83843N, -116.31058W.

February 28, 2008 
Alameda County 
John Hall/David Edwards 
Sunol Regional Wilderness 
*California Darner Rhionaeschna californica- 1
 

February 24, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Coachella Valley Preserve, Thousand Palms Oasis; 8:45-11:00, 62 - 70 degrees, partly cloudy, light wind ~5mph.

**California Dancer, Argia agrioides 1 (in hand) [new early date, old date 4/03/2003!!- kb]

**Paiute Dancer, Argia alberta 3 (two in hand) [new early date, old date 3/17/2007!!- kb]

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida 9

February 17, 2008

Yolo County 
Greg Kareofellas 
I was in my backyard in Davis yesterday & one Sympetrum corruptum flew by, checked me out and flew over the side fence. 
That was my first Ode for 2008 :-) Hopefully, the start of fun year! 
[note – David Hofmann on the phone reported one a week and a half earlier in Sonoma Co., for the first report from northern CA – kb]

February 15, 2008

Sonoma County 
Alan Wight 
Santa Rosa - pond in Nagasawa Park at lunch time
*Pacific Forktails Ischnura cervula  - 2 males

February 9, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Preserve,

Dos Palmas Oasis and San Andres Oasis; 8:50-12:45, sunny, 65-78 degrees, calm to light wind.

Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida - 6

*Rambur's Forktail, Ischnura ramburii - 3

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum - 4

Note: 85+ Painted Ladies nectaring on sand verbena.

…….

San Diego County

Arnold Gum

Tijuana Estuary Preserve (right on the border with Mexico)

Variegated Meadowhawk – one single male (photos taken) and one ovipositing pair

February 7, 2008

Los Angeles County

Madronna Marsh

Tracy Drake

*Wandering Glider Pantala flavescens - 7

Variegated Meadowhawk - 2

January

January 19, 2008

San Diego County

David Blue

Mission Trails Region Park

San Diego River at Old Mission Dam

Variegated Meadowhawk – 5 (photographed)

January 11-15, 2008

Los Angeles County

Tracy Drake

Madrona Marsh, Torrance

**Common Green Darners 1 - first report of 2008; new early flight data [Jan.11]

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum  ~30 fresh appearing flying since Sat. –

and no nymph in the water, so the did not emerge there

**Blue Dashers - 2 that they thought were females, but might be young males - first report of 2008; new early flight data 
They also thought they'd seen a Rhionaeschna, which would be way way early/late for multicolor, or a county record for californica. 
They've kept dfly records there by month for 10 yrs and this is highly unusual. [They were not able to verify this info with pictures, 
so it is not recorded on the charts as new early flight data, but is kept here for reference. –kb]

January 11, 2008

San Diego County

Rocky Just

Famosa Slough (off West Point Loma Blvd - south end of slough)

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum (male)

January 10, 2008

San Diego County

Mary Beth Stowe
Carrizo Marsh in Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Variegated Meadowhawk photographed 

January 4, 2008

Riverside County

Peter Siminski

Dos Palmas Preserve, Dos Palmas Oasis; 9:30-12:00, sunny to start but overcast by 11:15, calm, 50-60 degrees.

**Vivid Dancer, Argia vivida - 2 males seen at the SE side of the spring and large palm grove chasing one another and resting

on the dead palm fronds at about 10:30.

Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum - 1

January 1, 2008

San Benito County

Paul Johnson
Pinnacles Park
*Variegated meadowhawk - 1