A dragonfly on a plant!
After visiting several locations in three counties, I finally encountered two Blue Dashers. Seen at a wooded bog at Silver Creek park. The only perched photo I was able to get was several feet above me in a shaded tree.
Reds seen in a couple photos are due to shade and foliage reflection, as I was standing in a more shaded area.
During my visit to the Silver Creek wooded bog, I noticed a female Swamp Darner entering a dark area at the end of the pond; where she began ovipositing on a shrub/tree in the water's edge.
Location, lack of lighting, and distance made it difficult to get better photos; but her colors and pattern are clear, as well as the shape of her large rounded ovipositors.
I was surprised they were still intact since many are worn off on wood.
I witnessed females in the same area last year ovipositing on logs.
In general, sightings are slowing at the Rittman nature preserve; but it should soon have some new dragonfly species. The Common Whitetail is spreading quickly across areas that I visit.
Eastern Pondhawks are typically plentiful at the Rittman preserve; but a bit sparse so far.
I know I've already posted Aurora observations from this location; but I just love these damselflies, and this male was stunning. After dozens were seen ovipositing in the ditch the other day, they are now wide-spread in the ditches and fields in this area.
This observation is for the whitetail, but I thought it was neat there are three species flying together. Common Whitetail, Carolina Saddlebags, and Spatterdock Darner. Red, white, and blue!
First of two individuals