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2 Feb Re: Hidalgo County Odes, January 2012 [Dennis Paulson ] 2 Feb Hidalgo County Odes, January 2012 [Mike Rickard ] 30 Jan new early date for Arroyo Bluet ["Troy Hibbitts" ] 27 Jan Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! [Dennis Paulson ] 27 Jan Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! ["Robert A. Behrstock" ] 26 Jan Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! [Martin Reid ] 26 Jan A. oenea [tony gallucci ] 26 Jan Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! [douglas danforth ] 26 Jan Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! [Martin Reid ] 26 Jan Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! [douglas danforth ] 26 Jan Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! [Martin Reid ] 26 Jan Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! [douglas danforth ] 25 Jan Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! [Dennis Paulson ] 25 Jan Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! [Martin Reid ] 9 Jan a note about some spam from TexOdes [tony gallucci ] 8 Jan Correction ["Terry Hibbitts" ] 8 Jan Dennis Paulson's new book. ["Terry Hibbitts" ] 7 Jan Telebasis digiticollis Cameron Co Texas USA update [Terry Fuller ] 07 Jan Dennis's new Eastern Guide ["david_t_dauphin" ] 6 Jan RE: Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP ["Jim Bangma" ] 6 Jan Re: Re: Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP [Dennis Paulson ] 06 Jan Re: Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP ["Troy" ] 6 Jan Re: Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP [Dennis Paulson ] 5 Jan Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP ["Jim Bangma" ] 4 Jan 3 Ode species still flying in Oklahoma ["David Arbour" ] 29 Dec Telebasis digiticollis Cameron Co TX Torres Road near Brownsville TX 12 29 2011 [Terry Fuller ] 19 Dec Odes still flying in OK ["David Arbour" ] 19 Dec Mexican Wedgetails at Frontera Audubon Thicket, 12/19/11 [] 14 Dec ID Question [Jerald Zimmerman ] 13 Dec Re: ID question [Greg Lasley ] 13 Dec ID question [Jerald Zimmerman ] 11 Dec Re: Does this group take attachments? Ode Ghost [Jim Miller ] 11 Dec Re: Does this group take attachments? Ode Ghost [Joshua Rose ] 11 Dec Does this group take attachments? Ode Ghost [Victor Engel ] 4 Dec Telebasis digiticollis Cameron Co TX 12 04 2011 [Terry Fuller ] 30 Nov Pale-green Darner ovipositing at Mission, Hidalgo Co. ["david_t_dauphin" ] 27 Nov non-native fish introductions at Lost Maples Natural Area [] 23 Nov Telebasis digiticollis for Nov in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties TX [Terry Fuller ] 22 Nov Re: A Little Help with some IDs ["Troy Hibbitts" ] 21 Nov Re: A Little Help with some IDs ["Cletus L" ] 21 Nov Re: A Little Help with some IDs ["Troy Hibbitts" ] 20 Nov A Little Help with some IDs ["Cletus L" ] 1 Nov Blue-eyed Darner in SE Oklahoma ["David Arbour" ] 25 Oct Mitchell Lake Audubon Center 10/23/11 ["kef_jmiller" ] 24 Oct LRGV 10/22-23/11 - Estero, NABA, Santa Ana, Sabal, Resaca de la Palma ["Troy" ] 17 Oct Hidalgo County [] 17 Oct Ovipositing ["Ken Cave" ] 16 Oct Cook's Slough - 10/15/11 ["kef_jmiller" ] 13 Oct Kickapoo Cavern SP ["kef_jmiller" ] 12 Oct Blue-eyed Darner ["Terry Hibbitts" ] 5 Oct Uvalde County ["Terry Hibbitts" ] 3 Oct Twelve-spotted Skimmer, North McAllen [] 28 Sep Re: Evening Skimmer at Frontera Audubon Thicket, 9/28/11 [Dennis Paulson ] 28 Sep Evening Skimmer at Frontera Audubon Thicket, 9/28/11 [] 26 Sep Giant Darner Kerr County [tony gallucci ] 25 Sep Blue-eyed Darner at Utopia [] 25 Sep Blue-eyed Darner, NCR, Archer Co [Scotty Lofland ] 24 Sep Re: Lake Lewisville area? [Greg Lasley ] 24 Sep Lake Lewisville area? ["GregLasley" ] 23 Sep Re: Ibis catches darner [Dennis Paulson ] 23 Sep Lampasas Co. trip report, 22 Sept. 2011 ["GregLasley" ] 23 Sep Ibis catches darner ["David Arbour" ] 23 Sep Re: Blue-eyed Darner, NCR, Kinney Co ["Troy" ] 22 Sep Battling damsels at Santa Ana NWR [] 22 Sep Blue-eyed Darner, NCR, Kinney Co ["Troy Hibbitts" ] 21 Sep Re: Blue-eyed Darner, Fort Clark Springs today [Greg Lasley ] 21 Sep Blue-eyed Darner, Fort Clark Springs today ["Troy Hibbitts" ] 21 Sep Fort Clark Springs & Las Moras Creek, Brackettville 9/20 ["Troy" ] 18 Sep Pinewoods Odes [] 15 Sep Mexican Wedgetails at Frontera Audubon Thicket,9/15/11 [] 15 Sep Re: Dragonflies as shorebird food? [Dennis Paulson ] 14 Sep Dragonflies as shorebird food? [Steve Collins ] 13 Sep OC problems ["Terry Hibbitts" ] 13 Sep Mitchell Lake Audubon Center ["kef_jmiller" ] 11 Sep Re: OdonataCentral record upload issues [Jim Sinclair ] 11 Sep Re: OdonataCentral record upload issues [Dennis Paulson ] Subject: Re: Hidalgo County Odes, January 2012 From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 10:18:14 -0800 Mike, That's a great list for January! I wonder if you could have done that 10 years ago. Have you noticed any change in numbers of Common Green Darners and/or Variegated Meadowhawks over the winter? I guess I should add that such estimates should only come from warm, sunny days. Dennis On Feb 2, 2012, at 9:49 AM, Mike Rickard wrote: > Spring-like temperatures have brought an increase in odonata activity the past few days, especially in dragonfly species, so I thought I'd post my January list, for anyone who might be interested. Nice to see something besides Variegated Meadowhawks. I spent a limited amount of time specifically looking for odes, so this list is certainly not intended to be more than an indicator of what's been flying. Locations were mostly Santa Ana NWR, but also Bentsen and Estero Llano Grande state parks and Frontera Audubon, as noted. > Mike Rickard > Mission, TX > > Southern Spreadwing – Lestes australis ELG, SA > Rainpool Spreadwing – Lestes forficula ELG, F, SA > Chalky Spreadwing – Lestes sigma ELG > Mexican Wedgetail – Acanthagrion quadratum F > Blue-ringed Dancer – Argia sedula B, ELG, F, SA > Dusky Dancer – Argia translata B > Familiar Bluet – Enallagma civile B, ELG, F, SA > Neotropical Bluet – Enallagma novaehispaniae B, SA > Fragile Forktail – Ischnura posita ELG > Rambur’s Forktail – Ischnura ramburii B, ELG, F, SA > Desert Firetail – Telebasis salva B, ELG, F > Common Green Darner – Anax junius B, ELG, F, SA > Four-spotted Pennant > – Brachymesia gravida SA > Pin-tailed Pondhawk – Erythemis plebeja SA > Great Pondhawk – Erythemis vesiculosa SA > Thornbush Dasher – Micrathyria hagenii SA > Roseate Skimmer – Orthemis ferruginea ELG, F, SA > Wandering Glider – Pantala flavescens B > Variegated Meadowhawk > – Sympetrum corruptum B, ELG, F, SA > Striped Saddlebags – Tramea calverti SA > Red Saddlebags – Tramea onusta ELG, F, SA > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Hidalgo County Odes, January 2012 From: Mike Rickard <folksinger4 AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 09:49:55 -0800 (PST) Spring-like temperatures have brought an increase in odonata activity the past few days, especially in dragonfly species, so I thought I'd post my January list, for anyone who might be interested.  Nice to see something besides Variegated Meadowhawks.  I spent a limited amount of time specifically looking for odes, so this list is certainly not intended to be more than an indicator of what's been flying.  Locations were mostly Santa Ana NWR, but also Bentsen and Estero Llano Grande state parks and Frontera Audubon, as noted. Mike Rickard Mission, TX Southern Spreadwing – Lestes australis ELG, SA Rainpool Spreadwing – Lestes forficula ELG, F, SA Chalky Spreadwing – Lestes sigma ELG Mexican Wedgetail – Acanthagrion quadratum F Blue-ringed Dancer – Argia sedula B, ELG, F, SA Dusky Dancer – Argia translata B Familiar Bluet – Enallagma civile B, ELG, F, SA Neotropical Bluet – Enallagma novaehispaniae B, SA  Fragile Forktail – Ischnura posita ELG Rambur’s Forktail – Ischnura ramburii B, ELG, F, SA Desert Firetail – Telebasis salva B, ELG, F Common Green Darner – Anax junius B, ELG, F, SA   Four-spotted Pennant – Brachymesia gravida SA    Pin-tailed Pondhawk – Erythemis plebeja SA Great Pondhawk – Erythemis vesiculosa SA   Thornbush Dasher – Micrathyria hagenii  SA Roseate Skimmer – Orthemis ferruginea ELG, F, SA Wandering Glider – Pantala flavescens B Variegated Meadowhawk – Sympetrum corruptum B, ELG, F, SA Striped Saddlebags – Tramea calverti SA Red Saddlebags – Tramea onusta ELG, F, SA [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: new early date for Arroyo Bluet From: "Troy Hibbitts" <alterna2627 AT att.net> Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:58:21 -0600 With the unseasonably warm winter, I wouldn't say this comes as a surprise, but Saturday while warming up for a run, I spotted an immature female Arroyo Bluet out at Fort Clark Springs. Sans camera and net, I managed to catch it by hand and put it in a ziplock baggie in the truck and took pictures of it the next day. If confirmed, it should be a new early date for the species for Texas. See OC record here: http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/SubmissionAction.get/submission_id/3 67135 Other than that, I've been seeing a few Variegated Meadowhawks here and there, but really haven't been looking much. I guess its about that time again and I should start looking for stuff to emerge though. Troy Hibbitts Brackettville, Texas ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://thehibbitts.net/troy/ http://blackbeltreptiles.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:08:24 -0800 Martin, One possibility is that this is a coincidence. Northwestern Mexico and Arizona are much drier than some other tropical areas where oenea occurs, so the rivers on which it occurs there may have less well developed or less dense riparian vegetation, no matter their width. A. oenea in Costa Rica is always blue, and it occurs on a fair variety of streams, from smaller, more heavily shaded ones to large, open, sunny rivers. Dennis On Jan 26, 2012, at 8:28 PM, Martin Reid wrote: > Dear Doug, > I'm intrigued that your data seems to match mine with regard to microhabitat - let's hope more data is published here to help narrow down the "contact/change" zone, see if the tentative microhabitat differences hold up, and maybe lead to some work in the zone to see the exact pattern and potential mechanisms at play. > Thanks Doug and all who are contributing to this thread. > Martin > --- > Martin Reid > San Antonio > www.martinreid.com > > > > > > On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 10:43 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > >> The blue El Salvador oenea were on a semi-shaded gravel-bottomed small stream. One was on a large bouldery flooded river but in dappled shade away from the river edge. The Nayarit and Sonora oenea are usually found in open sunny and rocky streams. >> >> Doug >> >> From: Martin Reid >> To: Texodes Texodes >> Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 9:04 AM >> Subject: Re: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! >> >> Dear Doug, >> So, the plot thickens! Could you describe the micro-habitats you've seen them in in Sonora and Nayarit? Specifically are they in open rocky spots or semi-shaded riparian spots (or both) - ? >> Martin >> >> --- >> Martin Reid >> San Antonio >> www.martinreid.com >> >> On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 9:29 AM, douglas danforth wrote: >> >>> Martin, >>> In all of Sonora they are purple just like the oenea from Arizona. In Nayarit, the ones we have observed were purple as well. It would be interesting to know what happens to them south of Nayarit. >>> Doug >>> From: Martin Reid >>> To: Texodes Texodes >>> Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 7:42 AM >>> Subject: Re: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! >>> >>> Dear Doug, >>> That's most interesting! >>> Do you or others in your neck of the woods have experience/images of oenea from NW Mexico? It would be useful to try to narrow down the point-of-change from the bright blue southern form to the dull purple northern form. >>> >>> Please check out this page of ode images from Rancho Cielito in southern Tamaulipas: >>> >>> http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonateMX06.html >>> >>> - and scroll down to the oenea pics; vibrant extensive blue this far north in Mexico. >>> >>> >>> Here is the form found in Texas, some 560 miles northwest: >>> >>> http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate78.html >>> >>> - and similar to all (thanks for the update!) other pics I can find from AZ and NM. >>> >>> I have a tentative theory that it may in part be related to habitat (but my personal sample size is miniscule!): The places it's found in Texas are small trickles with lots of bare rock substrate in the open sun. The Cielito habitat was a wide stream with a large riparian zone, and was mostly under mid-size canopy (dappled light) with lots of bankside vegetation - a few exposed boulders in the stream. >>> >>> >>> All the best, >>> Martin >>> >>> >>> --- >>> Martin Reid >>> San Antonio >>> www.martinreid.com >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 7:11 AM, douglas danforth wrote: >>> >>>> Martin, >>>> I just checked the slide of oenea you referred to from SE Arizona. The light color of it's abdomen is purple so it is not the one exception. My slide scanner back then did not pick up purple very well. I guess I should replace that slide with one that more accurately shows the true color for Arizona. Recently on a trip to El Salvador we got to see those bright blue oenea and experience how that color shift altered the perception of the bug. >>>> Doug Danforth >>>> Bisbee,AZ >>>> >>>> From: Martin Reid >>>> To: Texodes Texodes >>>> Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:24 PM >>>> Subject: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! >>>> >>>> Dear All, >>>> Some time back I obtained photos of a pair of oenea in southern Tamaulipas and was struck by how different they looked to the few I've seen in west Texas. I've done some more research on photos with location data on the internet, and with just one exception (a Doug Danforth pic from SE Arizona) there seems to be a fairly sudden change from bugs in AZ, NM, TX that have less-extensive dull blueish-violet abdominal marks to bugs from north Mexico southwards that have more-extensive vibrant sky-blue abdominal marks. Thoughts? >>>> Regards, >>>> Martin >>>> >>>> --- >>>> Martin Reid >>>> San Antonio >>>> www.martinreid.com >>>> >>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------ >>> >>> Subject: Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: "Robert A. Behrstock" <rbehrstock AT cox.net> Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:53:46 -0700 Hi Martin and all, I have been to Tamaulipas and neighboring San Luis Potosi and Nuevo Leon 15 or more times at various seasons. The Argia oenea at sites such as Bocatoma II and La Florida near Cd. Mante were always close to sky blue (like Texas Hill Country plana) and not purple (like SE Arizona plana). So there’s another species with a similar west-east color shift (at least in the northern parts of their ranges). Best, RAB Robert A. Behrstock 10359 S. Thicket Pl. Hereford, AZ 85615 Phone/FAX: (520) 378-3262 N31° 22' 49.75" W110° 13' 41.08", 5,012' elev. Naturewide Images http://www.naturewideimages.com/ Birdlife of Houston, Galveston, and the Upper Texas Coast http://www.tamupress.com/product/Birdlife-of-Houston-Galveston-and-the-Upper -Texa,356.aspx Finding Birds on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail http://www.tamupress.com/product/Finding-Birds-on-the-Great-Texas-Coastal-Bi rding-T,709.aspx Dragonflies & Damselflies of the Southwest http://www.rionuevo.com/book.php?book_isbn=9781933855141 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:28:41 -0600 Dear Doug, I'm intrigued that your data seems to match mine with regard to microhabitat - let's hope more data is published here to help narrow down the "contact/change" zone, see if the tentative microhabitat differences hold up, and maybe lead to some work in the zone to see the exact pattern and potential mechanisms at play. Thanks Doug and all who are contributing to this thread. Martin --- Martin Reid San Antonio www.martinreid.com On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 10:43 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > The blue El Salvador oenea were on a semi-shaded gravel-bottomed small stream. One was on a large bouldery flooded river but in dappled shade away from the river edge. The Nayarit and Sonora oenea are usually found in open sunny and rocky streams. > > Doug > > From: Martin Reid > To: Texodes Texodes > Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 9:04 AM > Subject: Re: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! > > Dear Doug, > So, the plot thickens! Could you describe the micro-habitats you've seen them in in Sonora and Nayarit? Specifically are they in open rocky spots or semi-shaded riparian spots (or both) - ? > Martin > > --- > Martin Reid > San Antonio > www.martinreid.com > > On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 9:29 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > > > Martin, > > In all of Sonora they are purple just like the oenea from Arizona. In Nayarit, the ones we have observed were purple as well. It would be interesting to know what happens to them south of Nayarit. > > Doug > > From: Martin Reid > > To: Texodes Texodes > > Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 7:42 AM > > Subject: Re: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! > > > > Dear Doug, > > That's most interesting! > > Do you or others in your neck of the woods have experience/images of oenea from NW Mexico? It would be useful to try to narrow down the point-of-change from the bright blue southern form to the dull purple northern form. > > > > Please check out this page of ode images from Rancho Cielito in southern Tamaulipas: > > > > http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonateMX06.html > > > > - and scroll down to the oenea pics; vibrant extensive blue this far north in Mexico. > > > > > > Here is the form found in Texas, some 560 miles northwest: > > > > http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate78.html > > > > - and similar to all (thanks for the update!) other pics I can find from AZ and NM. > > > > I have a tentative theory that it may in part be related to habitat (but my personal sample size is miniscule!): The places it's found in Texas are small trickles with lots of bare rock substrate in the open sun. The Cielito habitat was a wide stream with a large riparian zone, and was mostly under mid-size canopy (dappled light) with lots of bankside vegetation - a few exposed boulders in the stream. > > > > > > All the best, > > Martin > > > > > > --- > > Martin Reid > > San Antonio > > www.martinreid.com > > > > > > > > > > > > On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 7:11 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > > > > > Martin, > > > I just checked the slide of oenea you referred to from SE Arizona. The light color of it's abdomen is purple so it is not the one exception. My slide scanner back then did not pick up purple very well. I guess I should replace that slide with one that more accurately shows the true color for Arizona. Recently on a trip to El Salvador we got to see those bright blue oenea and experience how that color shift altered the perception of the bug. > > > Doug Danforth > > > Bisbee,AZ > > > > > > From: Martin Reid > > > To: Texodes Texodes > > > Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:24 PM > > > Subject: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! > > > > > > Dear All, > > > Some time back I obtained photos of a pair of oenea in southern Tamaulipas and was struck by how different they looked to the few I've seen in west Texas. I've done some more research on photos with location data on the internet, and with just one exception (a Doug Danforth pic from SE Arizona) there seems to be a fairly sudden change from bugs in AZ, NM, TX that have less-extensive dull blueish-violet abdominal marks to bugs from north Mexico southwards that have more-extensive vibrant sky-blue abdominal marks. Thoughts? > > > Regards, > > > Martin > > > > > > --- > > > Martin Reid > > > San Antonio > > > www.martinreid.com > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Subject: A. oenea From: tony gallucci <hurricanetg AT hotmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:39:51 -0600 Forwarding this note from Chris Anderson: Hi All, I have routinely seen the bright blue oenea at my field sites in the Los Tuxtlas region of Veracruz. I am pretty sure I have seen bright blue oenea in Colima (which would be on the Pacific coast south of Nayarit). I'll have to check my field photos. Chris AndersonInstitute of EcologyUNAM, Mexico City ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Subject: Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: douglas danforth <dougofbis AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:43:37 -0800 (PST) The blue El Salvador oenea were on a semi-shaded gravel-bottomed small stream. One was on a large bouldery  flooded river but in dappled shade away from the river edge. The Nayarit and Sonora oenea are usually found in open sunny and rocky streams. Doug ________________________________ From: Martin Reid To: Texodes Texodes Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 9:04 AM Subject: Re: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?!   Dear Doug, So, the plot thickens! Could you describe the micro-habitats you've seen them in in Sonora and Nayarit? Specifically are they in open rocky spots or semi-shaded riparian spots (or both) - ? Martin --- Martin Reid San Antonio www.martinreid.com On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 9:29 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > Martin, > In all of Sonora they are purple just like the oenea from Arizona. In Nayarit, the ones we have observed were purple as well. It would be interesting to know what happens to them south of Nayarit. > Doug > From: Martin Reid > To: Texodes Texodes > Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 7:42 AM > Subject: Re: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! > > Dear Doug, > That's most interesting! > Do you or others in your neck of the woods have experience/images of oenea from NW Mexico? It would be useful to try to narrow down the point-of-change from the bright blue southern form to the dull purple northern form. > > Please check out this page of ode images from Rancho Cielito in southern Tamaulipas: > > http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonateMX06.html > > - and scroll down to the oenea pics; vibrant extensive blue this far north in Mexico. > > > Here is the form found in Texas, some 560 miles northwest: > > http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate78.html > > - and similar to all (thanks for the update!) other pics I can find from AZ and NM. > > I have a tentative theory that it may in part be related to habitat (but my personal sample size is miniscule!): The places it's found in Texas are small trickles with lots of bare rock substrate in the open sun. The Cielito habitat was a wide stream with a large riparian zone, and was mostly under mid-size canopy (dappled light) with lots of bankside vegetation - a few exposed boulders in the stream. > > > All the best, > Martin > > > --- > Martin Reid > San Antonio > www.martinreid.com > > > > > > On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 7:11 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > > > Martin, > > I just checked the slide of oenea you referred to from SE Arizona. The light color of it's abdomen is purple so it is not the one exception. My slide scanner back then did not pick up purple very well. I guess I should replace that slide with one that more accurately shows the true color for Arizona. Recently on a trip to El Salvador we got to see those bright blue oenea and experience how that color shift altered the perception of the bug. > > Doug Danforth > > Bisbee,AZ > > > > From: Martin Reid > > To: Texodes Texodes > > Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:24 PM > > Subject: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! > > > > Dear All, > > Some time back I obtained photos of a pair of oenea in southern Tamaulipas and was struck by how different they looked to the few I've seen in west Texas. I've done some more research on photos with location data on the internet, and with just one exception (a Doug Danforth pic from SE Arizona) there seems to be a fairly sudden change from bugs in AZ, NM, TX that have less-extensive dull blueish-violet abdominal marks to bugs from north Mexico southwards that have more-extensive vibrant sky-blue abdominal marks. Thoughts? > > Regards, > > Martin > > > > --- > > Martin Reid > > San Antonio > > www.martinreid.com > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:04:42 -0600 Dear Doug, So, the plot thickens! Could you describe the micro-habitats you've seen them in in Sonora and Nayarit? Specifically are they in open rocky spots or semi-shaded riparian spots (or both) - ? Martin --- Martin Reid San Antonio www.martinreid.com On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 9:29 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > Martin, > In all of Sonora they are purple just like the oenea from Arizona. In Nayarit, the ones we have observed were purple as well. It would be interesting to know what happens to them south of Nayarit. > Doug > From: Martin Reid > To: Texodes Texodes > Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 7:42 AM > Subject: Re: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! > > Dear Doug, > That's most interesting! > Do you or others in your neck of the woods have experience/images of oenea from NW Mexico? It would be useful to try to narrow down the point-of-change from the bright blue southern form to the dull purple northern form. > > Please check out this page of ode images from Rancho Cielito in southern Tamaulipas: > > http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonateMX06.html > > - and scroll down to the oenea pics; vibrant extensive blue this far north in Mexico. > > > Here is the form found in Texas, some 560 miles northwest: > > http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate78.html > > - and similar to all (thanks for the update!) other pics I can find from AZ and NM. > > I have a tentative theory that it may in part be related to habitat (but my personal sample size is miniscule!): The places it's found in Texas are small trickles with lots of bare rock substrate in the open sun. The Cielito habitat was a wide stream with a large riparian zone, and was mostly under mid-size canopy (dappled light) with lots of bankside vegetation - a few exposed boulders in the stream. > > > All the best, > Martin > > > --- > Martin Reid > San Antonio > www.martinreid.com > > > > > > On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 7:11 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > > > Martin, > > I just checked the slide of oenea you referred to from SE Arizona. The light color of it's abdomen is purple so it is not the one exception. My slide scanner back then did not pick up purple very well. I guess I should replace that slide with one that more accurately shows the true color for Arizona. Recently on a trip to El Salvador we got to see those bright blue oenea and experience how that color shift altered the perception of the bug. > > Doug Danforth > > Bisbee,AZ > > > > From: Martin Reid > > To: Texodes Texodes > > Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:24 PM > > Subject: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! > > > > Dear All, > > Some time back I obtained photos of a pair of oenea in southern Tamaulipas and was struck by how different they looked to the few I've seen in west Texas. I've done some more research on photos with location data on the internet, and with just one exception (a Doug Danforth pic from SE Arizona) there seems to be a fairly sudden change from bugs in AZ, NM, TX that have less-extensive dull blueish-violet abdominal marks to bugs from north Mexico southwards that have more-extensive vibrant sky-blue abdominal marks. Thoughts? > > Regards, > > Martin > > > > --- > > Martin Reid > > San Antonio > > www.martinreid.com > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Subject: Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: douglas danforth <dougofbis AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:29:04 -0800 (PST) Martin, In all of Sonora they are purple just like the oenea from Arizona. In Nayarit, the ones we have observed were  purple as well. It would be interesting to know what happens to them south of Nayarit. Doug ________________________________ From: Martin Reid To: Texodes Texodes Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2012 7:42 AM Subject: Re: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! Dear Doug, That's most interesting! Do you or others in your neck of the woods have experience/images of oenea from NW Mexico?  It would be useful to try to narrow down the point-of-change from the bright blue southern form to the dull purple northern form. Please check out this page of ode images from Rancho Cielito in southern Tamaulipas: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonateMX06.html - and scroll down to the oenea pics; vibrant extensive blue this far north in Mexico. Here is the form found in Texas, some 560 miles northwest: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate78.html - and similar to all (thanks for the update!) other pics I can find from AZ and NM. I have a tentative theory that it may in part be related to habitat (but my personal sample size is miniscule!): The places it's found in Texas are small trickles with lots of bare rock substrate in the open sun.  The Cielito habitat was a wide stream with a large riparian zone, and was mostly under mid-size canopy (dappled light) with lots of bankside vegetation - a few exposed boulders in the stream. All the best, Martin --- Martin Reid San Antonio www.martinreid.com On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 7:11 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > Martin, > I just checked the slide of oenea you referred to from SE Arizona. The light color of it's abdomen is purple so it is not the one exception. My slide scanner back then did not pick up purple very well. I guess I should replace that slide with one that more accurately shows the true color for Arizona. Recently on a trip to El Salvador we got to see those bright blue oenea and experience how that color shift altered the perception of the bug. > Doug Danforth > Bisbee,AZ > > From: Martin Reid > To: Texodes Texodes > Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:24 PM > Subject: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! > > Dear All, > Some time back I obtained photos of a pair of oenea in southern Tamaulipas and was struck by how different they looked to the few I've seen in west Texas. I've done some more research on photos with location data on the internet, and with just one exception (a Doug Danforth pic from SE Arizona) there seems to be a fairly sudden change from bugs in AZ, NM, TX that have less-extensive dull blueish-violet abdominal marks to bugs from north Mexico southwards that have more-extensive vibrant sky-blue abdominal marks. Thoughts? > Regards, > Martin > > --- > Martin Reid > San Antonio > www.martinreid.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:42:27 -0600 Dear Doug, That's most interesting! Do you or others in your neck of the woods have experience/images of oenea from NW Mexico? It would be useful to try to narrow down the point-of-change from the bright blue southern form to the dull purple northern form. Please check out this page of ode images from Rancho Cielito in southern Tamaulipas: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonateMX06.html - and scroll down to the oenea pics; vibrant extensive blue this far north in Mexico. Here is the form found in Texas, some 560 miles northwest: http://www.martinreid.com/Odonata%20website/odonate78.html - and similar to all (thanks for the update!) other pics I can find from AZ and NM. I have a tentative theory that it may in part be related to habitat (but my personal sample size is miniscule!): The places it's found in Texas are small trickles with lots of bare rock substrate in the open sun. The Cielito habitat was a wide stream with a large riparian zone, and was mostly under mid-size canopy (dappled light) with lots of bankside vegetation - a few exposed boulders in the stream. All the best, Martin --- Martin Reid San Antonio www.martinreid.com On Jan 26, 2012, at Jan 26, 7:11 AM, douglas danforth wrote: > Martin, > I just checked the slide of oenea you referred to from SE Arizona. The light color of it's abdomen is purple so it is not the one exception. My slide scanner back then did not pick up purple very well. I guess I should replace that slide with one that more accurately shows the true color for Arizona. Recently on a trip to El Salvador we got to see those bright blue oenea and experience how that color shift altered the perception of the bug. > Doug Danforth > Bisbee,AZ > > From: Martin Reid > To: Texodes Texodes > Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:24 PM > Subject: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! > > Dear All, > Some time back I obtained photos of a pair of oenea in southern Tamaulipas and was struck by how different they looked to the few I've seen in west Texas. I've done some more research on photos with location data on the internet, and with just one exception (a Doug Danforth pic from SE Arizona) there seems to be a fairly sudden change from bugs in AZ, NM, TX that have less-extensive dull blueish-violet abdominal marks to bugs from north Mexico southwards that have more-extensive vibrant sky-blue abdominal marks. Thoughts? > Regards, > Martin > > --- > Martin Reid > San Antonio > www.martinreid.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: douglas danforth <dougofbis AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:11:05 -0800 (PST) Martin, I just checked the slide of oenea you referred to from SE Arizona. The light color of it's abdomen is purple so it is not the one exception. My slide scanner back then did not pick up purple very well. I guess I should replace that slide with one that more accurately shows the true color for Arizona. Recently on a trip to El Salvador we got to see those bright blue oenea and experience how that color shift altered the perception of the bug. Doug Danforth Bisbee,AZ ________________________________ From: Martin Reid To: Texodes Texodes Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 12:24 PM Subject: [TexOdes] Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?!   Dear All, Some time back I obtained photos of a pair of oenea in southern Tamaulipas and was struck by how different they looked to the few I've seen in west Texas. I've done some more research on photos with location data on the internet, and with just one exception (a Doug Danforth pic from SE Arizona) there seems to be a fairly sudden change from bugs in AZ, NM, TX that have less-extensive dull blueish-violet abdominal marks to bugs from north Mexico southwards that have more-extensive vibrant sky-blue abdominal marks. Thoughts? Regards, Martin --- Martin Reid San Antonio www.martinreid.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:55:19 -0800 Martin, My thought would be that you're nicely describing two components of geographic variation that seem to be characteristic of quite a few Argia, not to mention other blue and black coenagrionids. I too have seen the variation from bright blue to violet-blue, one color being more typical of one area. I am not at all surprised in variation in relative amount of black on the middle segments. It might be too extreme to say that all Argia vary both individually and, in some cases, geographically in one or both of those ways and sometimes in other ways, but a lot of them surely do. I have seen dramatic variation in just about all the species with fairly wide ranges, and at least some of it seemed clearly correlated with geography and/or climate. Often those of hotter, drier areas have less black, but I haven't come up with an idea of what might be responsible for the variation from more purplish to more pure blue. That might vary with climatic conditions also, the more purplish ones being in wetter and/or cooler regions. I think the markings are quite plastic and subject to selective pressures such as temperature and humidity, but I have no idea if the variation is genetically based or might be a direct response to the environment. I favor the former, as I don't understand how, say, a moist environment during emergence might produce more extensive dark markings in the resulting adult. This would be the interesting question to answer. Rear under the same exact conditions individuals from two distant regions that show these kinds of differences and see what you get. I never fail to admire your discerning eye! Dennis On Jan 25, 2012, at 11:24 AM, Martin Reid wrote: > Dear All, > Some time back I obtained photos of a pair of oenea in southern Tamaulipas and was struck by how different they looked to the few I've seen in west Texas. I've done some more research on photos with location data on the internet, and with just one exception (a Doug Danforth pic from SE Arizona) there seems to be a fairly sudden change from bugs in AZ, NM, TX that have less-extensive dull blueish-violet abdominal marks to bugs from north Mexico southwards that have more-extensive vibrant sky-blue abdominal marks. Thoughts? > Regards, > Martin > > --- > Martin Reid > San Antonio > www.martinreid.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Argia oenea - why the color shift at the Border?! From: Martin Reid <upupa AT airmail.net> Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:24:19 -0600 Dear All, Some time back I obtained photos of a pair of oenea in southern Tamaulipas and was struck by how different they looked to the few I've seen in west Texas. I've done some more research on photos with location data on the internet, and with just one exception (a Doug Danforth pic from SE Arizona) there seems to be a fairly sudden change from bugs in AZ, NM, TX that have less-extensive dull blueish-violet abdominal marks to bugs from north Mexico southwards that have more-extensive vibrant sky-blue abdominal marks. Thoughts? Regards, Martin --- Martin Reid San Antonio www.martinreid.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: a note about some spam from TexOdes From: tony gallucci <hurricanetg AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 9 Jan 2012 15:02:41 -0600 Hi TexOdistas, Today i received a message from a TexOdes sibscriber who had received a volume of nasty emails that appeared to be sent from TexOdes. In my research i show that TexOdes sent out no messages at all today prior to this one. Nor did i receive any such spam myself. Others may have received this stuff. This is an area i work in and so i know this process. What has likely happened is that someone who is a member of TexOdes has inadvertently clicked on a virus link in an email or on a website and had a trojan loader dropped onto their computer. After it activated it then began sending spam using a spoofed address from that person's address book. At least one of the spoofs it's using is that of TexOdes. TexOdes is not sending you this stuff if you received any. Usually this stuff dwindles as it begins using other addresses. It would be nice to find out whose account has been compromised though, so if you likewise received a bundle of that stuff, could you please let me know so i can try to track down the source. There is no need to do anything else at your end except use caution. If you receive the bad stuff, do not click on any links in it, and delete it. If you block the 'sent from' address, you will also lose all your TexOdes messages for the future, and we can't do anything about that at this end . . . it's simply a small storm to be weathered . . . and add a hint to those who are not strongly net savvy to not click on any links that you don't know in advance exactly what they are. tony gallucci TexOdes Moderator ingram/kerrville/hunt, texas hurricanetg AT hotmail.com http://tonygallucci.dAportfolio.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Correction From: "Terry Hibbitts" <thibb AT swtexas.net> Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 12:52:15 -0600 Version not verison. I think I am going out of my mind. Terry Hibbitts Camp Wood, TX www.thehibbitts.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Dennis Paulson's new book. From: "Terry Hibbitts" <thibb AT swtexas.net> Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 12:50:20 -0600 I got it first in the Kindle ebook verison so that I would have it on my iphone and laptop for trips to the east. It's great. Almost as good as some of the bird apps. Terry Hibbitts Camp Wood, TX www.thehibbitts.net From: TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com [mailto:TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com] Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 5:35 AM To: TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com Subject: [TexOdes] Digest Number 1401 TexOdes Messages In This Digest (2 Messages) 1. Dennis's new Eastern Guide From: david_t_dauphin 2. Telebasis digiticollis Cameron Co Texas USA update From: Terry Fuller View All Topics | Create New Topic Messages 1. Dennis's new Eastern Guide Posted by: "david_t_dauphin" dauphins AT sbcglobal.net david_t_dauphin Sat Jan 7, 2012 6:26 am (PST) Just received a copy of Dennis Paulson's "Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East", and like his western guide, this new book is fantastic. I hope you all will order a copy; mine came via Amazon. Thanks, Dennis, for another great reference. David Dauphin Mission, TX http://www.thedauphins.net Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) 2. Telebasis digiticollis Cameron Co Texas USA update Posted by: "Terry Fuller" terrywfuller AT gmail.com terrywfuller Sat Jan 7, 2012 8:48 pm (PST) Telebasis digiticollis first January US records. Torres Road Cameron County 01 07 2012, Near Isidoro Ln Cameron County 01 05 2012, Torres Road Cameron County 01 02 2012. Seeing them this time of year was very difficult and took much time but was much easier than getting a picture. Walked or slogged many marsh miles and spent many hours. Interesting that the 12 30 2011 record and the 01 17 2012 are both tandem pairs. The cold winter weather (70's actually) has made the numbers decline dramatically but those around are not just trying to survive. The water temperature is cold which I think limits emergence. The sun is doing its job in the day and the temperature pushed up towards 80 but the breeze was cool so it never had the summer swelter feeling. Other species including Red Saddlebags, Ishnura posita Fragile Forktail (the most abundant species), Ischnura ramburii (Rambur's Forktail) infrequent. Total T dig seen include 2 + 1 + 3 so they are definitely marginal despite about as good of winter temps as could be expected. -- Terry W Fuller San Benito Terrywfuller AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Back to top Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity Visit Your Group Sitebuilder Build a web site quickly & easily with Sitebuilder. Subject: Telebasis digiticollis Cameron Co Texas USA update From: Terry Fuller <terrywfuller AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 22:48:50 -0600 Telebasis digiticollis first January US records. Torres Road Cameron County 01 07 2012, Near Isidoro Ln Cameron County 01 05 2012, Torres Road Cameron County 01 02 2012. Seeing them this time of year was very difficult and took much time but was much easier than getting a picture. Walked or slogged many marsh miles and spent many hours. Interesting that the 12 30 2011 record and the 01 17 2012 are both tandem pairs. The cold winter weather (70's actually) has made the numbers decline dramatically but those around are not just trying to survive. The water temperature is cold which I think limits emergence. The sun is doing its job in the day and the temperature pushed up towards 80 but the breeze was cool so it never had the summer swelter feeling. Other species including Red Saddlebags, Ishnura posita Fragile Forktail (the most abundant species), Ischnura ramburii (Rambur's Forktail) infrequent. Total T dig seen include 2 + 1 + 3 so they are definitely marginal despite about as good of winter temps as could be expected. -- Terry W Fuller San Benito Terrywfuller AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Dennis's new Eastern Guide From: "david_t_dauphin" <dauphins AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:26:37 -0000 Just received a copy of Dennis Paulson's "Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East", and like his western guide, this new book is fantastic. I hope you all will order a copy; mine came via Amazon. Thanks, Dennis, for another great reference. David Dauphin Mission, TX http://www.thedauphins.net ------------------------------------ Subject: RE: Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP From: "Jim Bangma" <jbangma AT ptd.net> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 16:50:06 -0600 Troy & Dennis, Thanks for the input. Mike Rickard had made the spreadwing suggestion as well. I don't think this critter was big enough for Lestes but let me bounce that off Mike and Rick Nirschl. Unfortunately, nobody got a picture; I didn't have my real camera along! Jim ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Re: Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 12:13:51 -0800 Very young spreadwings can have a completely brown thorax, and those are the most likely to close their wings. The abdomen can start becoming metallic even before the thorax brightens. Sorry I can't send attachments. Dennis On Jan 6, 2012, at 11:48 AM, Troy wrote: > > > The only thing that I can think of that occurs in the area which has a green abdomen would be Rainpool Spreadwing (Lestes forficula). As Dennis points out, in cold and/or windy situations, they often sit with their wings closed . . . and in tranistion between immature and adult coloration I could see one with a brownish thorax and greenish abdomen. > > attached is a link to a photo of one with a green abdomen . . . > > http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/odonata/rainpool.spreadwing.l.forficula.tx.hidalgo.10.3a.jpg > > Troy Hibbitts > Brackettville, TX > > --- In TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com, "Jim Bangma" wrote: > > > > Last Thursday's Ode Walk at Bentsen listed 9 species, but we are stumped by > > one bug seen in the grass along the edge of the canal at the park entrance. > > > > > > > > It was a medium sized damsel, with its wings held along the body. The > > abdomen was iridescent green, reminding me of the color of an Emerald > > Spreadwing. Other than this color the abdomen appeared unmarked except for > > the tip, S10, possibly S9 and the terminal appendages - this area appeared > > light tan. The thorax appeared bronzy brown, with possibly an obscure > > darker central and shoulder stripe. The legs were strikingly pale, very > > light tan to almost white. Unfortunately, I didn't look very closely at the > > head, I was too busy looking at the abdomen and thorax, but there was > > nothing striking about the head to draw my attention. > > > > > > > > I'm totally stumped, as were Rick Nirschl and the other group members, > > including several experienced northern ode watchers. I can't even put the > > thing in a genus! Any ideas? > > > > Jim Bangma > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP From: "Troy" <alterna2627 AT att.net> Date: Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:48:42 -0000 The only thing that I can think of that occurs in the area which has a green abdomen would be Rainpool Spreadwing (Lestes forficula). As Dennis points out, in cold and/or windy situations, they often sit with their wings closed . . . and in tranistion between immature and adult coloration I could see one with a brownish thorax and greenish abdomen. attached is a link to a photo of one with a green abdomen . . . http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/odonata/rainpool.spreadwing.l.forficula.tx.hidalgo.10.3a.jpg Troy Hibbitts Brackettville, TX --- In TexOdes AT yahoogroups.com, "Jim Bangma" wrote: > > Last Thursday's Ode Walk at Bentsen listed 9 species, but we are stumped by > one bug seen in the grass along the edge of the canal at the park entrance. > > > > It was a medium sized damsel, with its wings held along the body. The > abdomen was iridescent green, reminding me of the color of an Emerald > Spreadwing. Other than this color the abdomen appeared unmarked except for > the tip, S10, possibly S9 and the terminal appendages - this area appeared > light tan. The thorax appeared bronzy brown, with possibly an obscure > darker central and shoulder stripe. The legs were strikingly pale, very > light tan to almost white. Unfortunately, I didn't look very closely at the > head, I was too busy looking at the abdomen and thorax, but there was > nothing striking about the head to draw my attention. > > > > I'm totally stumped, as were Rick Nirschl and the other group members, > including several experienced northern ode watchers. I can't even put the > thing in a genus! Any ideas? > > Jim Bangma > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 6 Jan 2012 08:37:50 -0800 Jim, I can't guess what you saw, but I wanted to point out that very young spreadwings and spreadwings in stressful situations (cold, windy, predator in sight) hold their wings closed. Dennis On Jan 5, 2012, at 8:33 AM, Jim Bangma wrote: > Last Thursday's Ode Walk at Bentsen listed 9 species, but we are stumped by > one bug seen in the grass along the edge of the canal at the park entrance. > > It was a medium sized damsel, with its wings held along the body. The > abdomen was iridescent green, reminding me of the color of an Emerald > Spreadwing. Other than this color the abdomen appeared unmarked except for > the tip, S10, possibly S9 and the terminal appendages - this area appeared > light tan. The thorax appeared bronzy brown, with possibly an obscure > darker central and shoulder stripe. The legs were strikingly pale, very > light tan to almost white. Unfortunately, I didn't look very closely at the > head, I was too busy looking at the abdomen and thorax, but there was > nothing striking about the head to draw my attention. > > I'm totally stumped, as were Rick Nirschl and the other group members, > including several experienced northern ode watchers. I can't even put the > thing in a genus! Any ideas? > > Jim Bangma > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Strange damsel at Bentsen RGV SP From: "Jim Bangma" <jbangma AT ptd.net> Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 10:33:23 -0600 Last Thursday's Ode Walk at Bentsen listed 9 species, but we are stumped by one bug seen in the grass along the edge of the canal at the park entrance. It was a medium sized damsel, with its wings held along the body. The abdomen was iridescent green, reminding me of the color of an Emerald Spreadwing. Other than this color the abdomen appeared unmarked except for the tip, S10, possibly S9 and the terminal appendages - this area appeared light tan. The thorax appeared bronzy brown, with possibly an obscure darker central and shoulder stripe. The legs were strikingly pale, very light tan to almost white. Unfortunately, I didn't look very closely at the head, I was too busy looking at the abdomen and thorax, but there was nothing striking about the head to draw my attention. I'm totally stumped, as were Rick Nirschl and the other group members, including several experienced northern ode watchers. I can't even put the thing in a genus! Any ideas? Jim Bangma [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: 3 Ode species still flying in Oklahoma From: "David Arbour" <arbour AT windstream.net> Date: Wed, 4 Jan 2012 20:41:20 -0600 Today at the Red Slough WMA in southeastern McCurtain Co., Oklahoma I found and photographed 3 species of Odes still flying: Variegated Meadowhawk, Familiar Bluet (1st January record for OK), and Common Green Darner (1st January record for OK). With recent temepratures dropping frequently into the upper 20's and occasionally into the lower 20's this seems amazing. There was also a Variegated Meadowhawk photographed yesterday at Tulsa by Terry Mitchell and submitted to OC. All three of my species were found at the same location which was the south facing edge of some flooded bottomland hardwoods along a low levee road with an open southern exposure. David Arbour De Queen, AR Visit the Red Slough Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Telebasis digiticollis Cameron Co TX Torres Road near Brownsville TX 12 29 2011 From: Terry Fuller <terrywfuller AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:07:24 -0600 Found about five Telebasis digiticollis including a tandem pair in the hyacinth ditch at Torres Road Cameron Co TX today 12 29 2011. Was difficult going as the bank is very steep, mowing efforts have pushed down Phragmites, and the water is deep near the edge The hyacinth is very green in this protected deep ditch. Not the usual dark edges of more exposed beds. Temperatures got into the 30 degrees at night but warmed during the day over the cold snap present since before Christmas. Today and yesterday were warmer with temps to at least 76. In the absence of wind it was a one tee shirt day. -- Terry W Fuller Terrywfuller AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Odes still flying in OK From: "David Arbour" <arbour AT windstream.net> Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:00:56 -0600 I saw close to 50 Variegated Meadowhawks today at the Red Slough Wetlands in extreme SE Oklahoma despite numerous nights over the past couple weeks with temps dropping into the low 20's. Its been a little over two weeks since we last saw Common Green Darners and Familiar Bluets flying. David Arbour De Queen, AR Visit the Red Slough Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Mexican Wedgetails at Frontera Audubon Thicket, 12/19/11 From: Antshrike1 AT aol.com Date: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:15:38 -0500 (EST) This morning I stopped by Frontera Audubon Thicket in Weslaco to look for the Golden-crowned Warbler. No luck with that, but while I was there I checked out the Mexican Wedgetail pond and found at least four of them including a tandem pair. Also present were Rainpool Spreadwing, Kiowa Dancer, either Roseate or Carmine Skimmer ovipositing, Great Pondhawk and several Common Green Darners. Dan Jones, Weslaco [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: ID Question From: Jerald Zimmerman <jdzimman AT att.net> Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:18:46 -0800 (PST) I want to thank the people who have responded to my post yesterday.  All have pointed out that it appears to be a female Common Green Darner.   Jerald Zimmerman Waxahachie, TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: ID question From: Greg Lasley <glasley AT earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:15:26 -0600 Hi Jerald, It looks like it is a female Common Green Darner based on what I can see of the markings on the frons. Comet Darners have a plain green frons. Female Common Greens can have a brownish-red abdomen and are often mistaken for Comet Darners. Complete date ranges of all Texas odonate species can be found at: http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/PageAction.get/name/TX_Seasonality if you are interested. It looks like this individual had some problems emerging and may not make it. Kind Regards, Greg W. Lasley 305 Loganberry Ct. Austin, TX 78745 512-441-9686 visit my dragonfly web page at: http://www.greglasley.net/dragonix.html Greg Lasley's Texas Wildlife Portraits, Published by Texas A&M Press Ociober, 2008 http://www.texaswildlifeportraits.com/Welcome.html On Dec 13, 2011, at 6:03 PM, Jerald Zimmerman wrote: > I was shorting thru some photos and since I am just starting to learn > dragonflies and had a few questions. These photos were taken at Corpus Christi > Botanical Gardens in late February 2010. I think that it is a Comet Darner and > it might be emerging based on the wings. This is about a month earlier than I > saw mentioned in what few reference I have. Here is a link to the photos. > http://www.flickr.com/photos/64289021 AT N02 > > Thanks, > Jerald Zimmerman > Waxahachie, TX > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: ID question From: Jerald Zimmerman <jdzimman AT att.net> Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:03:32 -0800 (PST) I was shorting thru some photos and since I am just starting to learn dragonflies and had a few questions.  These photos were taken at Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens in late February 2010.  I think that it is a Comet Darner and it might be emerging based on the wings.  This is about a month earlier than I saw mentioned in what few reference I have.  Here is a link to the photos.   http://www.flickr.com/photos/64289021 AT N02   Thanks, Jerald Zimmerman Waxahachie, TX  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Does this group take attachments? Ode Ghost From: Jim Miller <icephotog AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 23:04:53 -0600 The alternative that many of use is that we post links to our Flickr, tinypic, or Picasa/GPlus accounts. Warm regards - jim miller San Antonio http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmillerphoto/ http://www.jmillerphoto.com http://jphotoramble.wordpress.com On 12/11/2011 7:02 PM, Joshua Rose wrote: > > Cannot see anything, Victor. If you click the link at the bottom of > each post "To visit your group on the web", there is an area there > where you can share photos, and any of us who remember our Yahoo! > password can log in and see them there..... > > JSR > > Joshua Rose, Ph.D. > Amherst, MA > opihi AT mindspring.com > http://bugguide.net/user/view/2399 > http://www.facebook.com/opihi > > On Dec 11, 2011, at 5:11 PM, Victor Engel wrote: > > > Can anyone see the dragonfly? The glint off the wings gives her position > > away. > > > > Victor > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > Subject: Re: Does this group take attachments? Ode Ghost From: Joshua Rose <opihi AT mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:02:01 -0500 Cannot see anything, Victor. If you click the link at the bottom of each post "To visit your group on the web", there is an area there where you can share photos, and any of us who remember our Yahoo! password can log in and see them there..... JSR Joshua Rose, Ph.D. Amherst, MA opihi AT mindspring.com http://bugguide.net/user/view/2399 http://www.facebook.com/opihi On Dec 11, 2011, at 5:11 PM, Victor Engel wrote: > Can anyone see the dragonfly? The glint off the wings gives her position > away. > > Victor > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Subject: Does this group take attachments? Ode Ghost From: Victor Engel <brillig AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:11:17 -0600 Can anyone see the dragonfly? The glint off the wings gives her position away. Victor [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Telebasis digiticollis Cameron Co TX 12 04 2011 From: Terry Fuller <terrywfuller AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 4 Dec 2011 18:11:09 -0600 The Telebasis numbers were still fair at Torres Road off the Military Hwy near Brownsville in Cameron Co. I will be tracking the T dig to see if I can get them into late December or January. Site in Hidalgo is dry. I found one individual in late November. The sites north of my place in Cameron Co are dried up also with only one individual in November at each of these sites. Will be interesting to see if the damsels spring from the cracked puzzle mud when it is wet again. Hyacinth died back with last years cold but sprang back fine in March. The lake near Isidoro Lane is likely still good but they mowed the grass and edge hyacinth. In the wind yesterday none were found. May be a wind issue since it is an exposed site. This area is intermittently cleaned up of hyacinth but is so full that I suspect it can not be eradicated. There is still water in the Sam Houston Road site and the Resaca Road site near my place. The Sam Houston site could be a reservoir over time. The Resaca road area suffered some local spraying as there were strips of dead hyacinth between green areas. Very worrisome. The site near Pennsylvania road is dried up and has suffered a serious modification with bulldozer. Very sad indeed. This was an area I thought would be protected. -- Terry W Fuller Terrywfuller AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Pale-green Darner ovipositing at Mission, Hidalgo Co. From: "david_t_dauphin" <dauphins AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:38:32 -0000 On 11/28/2001, Jan and I observed Triacanthagyna septima - Pale-green Darner ovipositing in a slow-flowing, irrigation ditch at the National Butterfly Center in Mission, Hidalgo Co. She would keep her abdomen submerged for about 5-10 seconds, then go to another location. We watched her do this 4 times, before we lost sight of her. Just about the time it took to focus the camera, she would move off, so we failed on photographs. David Dauphin Mission http://www.thedauphins.net ------------------------------------ Subject: non-native fish introductions at Lost Maples Natural Area From: mitch AT utopianature.com Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:03:43 -0600 Hi Odesters, Lost Maples State Natural Area was one of the best places for Odes I've seen. Was is the key word. Especially the area of the pond up Can Creek was nothing short of spectacular. I don't know how many of you had been up there for odes, sometimes it seemed one could see 20 species in less than a half hour around the edges, sometimes with hardly a few steps. It was amazing fantastic outstanding odeing. Was is the key word. Unlike many areas around during the drought, the pond has stayed at the same water level, and in fact looks more lush than ever as everything around dried up. But I've been watching it change. The ode populations have crashed. In the last three summers Ode numbers have been a fraction of what they were was prior. Water level is the same, there are some new cattails (Typha) but otherwise the ponds look about the same. Species diversity is half what it was, or less. Individual numbers are a small fraction of what they were just 5 years ago, perhaps 10% would be generous. They just aren't there, they are gone. Water is still there, looks about the same, except the odes are not present in numbers or diversity as they were. There has been a major change in management at the State Natural Area though since long-time supervisor and great friend of the park Roy Heideman retired a few years ago. Then it started. Three or four years ago first with the introduction of Rainbow Trout to the ponds(!). There are some factions of Calif. Fish & Game that will tell you Rainbow Trout introductions are the worst thing that ever happened to some aquatic ecosystems. They are high-end predators, and no aquatic invertebrate is safe. They can decimate a natural aquatic ecosystem. Now on the Lost Maples 'fall foilage report' webpage it states Channel Catfish have been introduced to the pond. I guess TPWD figures the trout may have missed something? This is natural here? Is this what the park was given to the state to do, or was it closer to preserving the natural history? It is beyond my comprehension to try to understand why non-native fish introductions are taking place repeatedly in a State NATURAL Area other than for money, which well illustrates mentality and priorities. These non-native fish are not natural at the ponds, and are eating what is. Whilst we are threatened by signage to not pick up a leaf, I presume due to the intrinsic value of the nutrients it puts back in the ecosystem. Likewise aquatic inverts are a very important part of the ecosystem, so it seems more than a little hypocritical of TPWD imploring we don't pick up a leaf while they introduce what is essentially cats and goats into the pond. Frankly I have little doubt as to why the ode populations at the ponds have crashed. Because TPWD doesn't know the meaning of the word natural, and has no business managing the site if they think non-native fish introductions are appropriate. This is pure and simple human folly, at taxpayer expense, destroying what was given to them to save, for some entrance fee money. Milk that cash cow. I would like to ask and encourage all to write or call TPWD and implore them to cease and desist all non-native animal introductions at the State Natural Area. There are a million wet holes in Texas with non-native predators or goats in them. I thought this one was given to the state to be something other than another game farm, as it is now currently being managed. I only look at odes, and am blown away by their absence compared to the Ode heaven it was just five years ago. I am sure other aquatic inverts are taking the beating just as well, we just can't see them, so I suppose it is OK. They don't make entrance fee money so let's kiss them off seems to be current TPWD and park management philosophy. With a complete and total disregard or understanding that the aquatic ecosystem is key to making the terrestrial one function. Sorry for the rant, and sorry to share some sadness, but perhaps some here may be interested enough to lift a phone or pen, hit the keyboard, and let TPWD know non-native animal introductions have no place in the State Natural Area. They are destroying one of the best ode sites I've ever seen with their introduced fish follies. Thanks, Mitch Mitch Heindel www.utopianature.com ------------------------------------ Subject: Telebasis digiticollis for Nov in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties TX From: Terry Fuller <terrywfuller AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:01:34 -0600 The Telebasis digiticollis colonies are taking the lack of water poorly. The site north of my house is completely dried up with not a green hyacinth left. There are several deeper water areas in the county that are doing fine such as Isidoro Lane area lake where several males were located. The single site in Hidalgo Co is very dry but hyacinth is siting on the moist earth. The Water Lettuce did not tolerate this at all and is completely dead. There is no standing water at this site near Estero Llano Grande. I managed to find only one male here. The emerged individuals will likely live out their days and that will be all till spring (presuming some rain). Hoping for warm weather into December with maybe a shower or two to drag the Cameron Populations into late December and hopefully into Jan. Will keep you posted. -- Terry W Fuller Terrywfuller AT gmail.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: A Little Help with some IDs From: "Troy Hibbitts" <alterna2627 AT att.net> Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:50:47 -0600 "The only one I question is A. Tibalis (IMGP4755). It is the only image that I have and does not seem to match anything in John Abbott's Damselfly Field guide." That would be why I put "probably" . . . this one is a late teneral/immature beginning to color up. I've gotten tibialis in west Houston (Cypress Creek, actually in Cypress, TX) and the thoracic pattern that is peeking through looks like female tibialis to me. Perhaps this one is best left to "ID uncertain?" Troy Hibbitts Brackettville, Texas ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://thehibbitts.net/troy/ http://blackbeltreptiles.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: A Little Help with some IDs From: "Cletus L" <customer.clee AT att.net> Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:50:41 -0000 Troy, Thanks for all the review work. Some correlate with near by males others were entirely new for me The only one I question is A. Tibalis (IMGP4755). It is the only image that I have and does not seem to match anything in John Abbott's Damselfly Field guide. ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: A Little Help with some IDs From: "Troy Hibbitts" <alterna2627 AT att.net> Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:35:11 -0600 I'm basing my tentative IDs of Argia apicalis females vs A. moesta females on pattern on S8-9 . . . with apicalis showing pattern and pattern largely absent on moesta. I'm not certain how precise this is FWIW 4755 - probably Argia tibialis (Blue-tipped Dancer) 2010053, 2010054, 2016314, 2016315, 2016318, 2016336 - Argia translata (Dusky Dancer) 2010113, 2010116, 2019624, 2019532, 2019715, 2019723, 2019732, 2019749, 2019752, 2019756, 2019758, 2019760, 2019765, 2019784, 2019788, 2019791, 2019795 - Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer) 2012474, 2012481, 2019855, 2019857, - Argia sedula (Blue-ringed Dancer) 2014586 - can't say that I've seen a female Argia quite this yellow, but I'll go with Argia apicalis (Blue-fronted Dancer) 2017293 - I hate tenerals . . . 2017939 - very cold female A. apicalis 2018500, 2018510, 2019742 - A. apicalis female Troy Hibbitts Brackettville, Texas ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://thehibbitts.net/troy/ http://blackbeltreptiles.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: A Little Help with some IDs From: "Cletus L" <customer.clee AT att.net> Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2011 13:22:27 -0000 I've been asked to present a gallery talk on Odes titled "Dragonflies & Damselflies through the Camera Lens: Images of dragonflies and damselfiles photographed in Pitman park and surrounding areas" I was hoping that someone here could give me some help with a few damselfly IDs so that I don't make a complete fool of myself. These Damsels (Mostly female) were found in the Houston(Harris County) Area and around Lake Texana in Jackson County. I've posted the images in one of my Photoshop albums. I could post them somewhere else if that would be more convenient. There are 39 images, many are different views of the same species. http://www.photoshop.com/users/cletuslee/albums/95551e33a53f4d33901ebc9c81f86124/view#b0406b2ea1734bca9fd5875505ece0e5 Thank you for your help. ------------------------------------ Subject: Blue-eyed Darner in SE Oklahoma From: "David Arbour" <arbour AT windstream.net> Date: Tue, 1 Nov 2011 19:49:42 -0500 Observed a male Blue-eyed Darner through binoculars at close range today at Red Slough WMA, McCurtain County, Oklahoma. David Arbour De Queen, AR Visit the Red Slough Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Mitchell Lake Audubon Center 10/23/11 From: "kef_jmiller" <icephotog AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:14:47 -0000 I made the rounds at MLAC yesterday. It had been three weeks or so since the last time I was out there and the rain and time has produced some changes. First, more water is present. Bird pond is a little more healthy and both East and West Polders are now wet with West draining into East. All of the basins except for Basin 2 are now wet with a significant increase in Basin 3 since the last time I was there. There is also a shallow, wide, slow moving stream to the east of East Polder which seemed to have decent numbers present to include the only 12-spotteds I saw on the walk. So what does that mean for the Odes? Species spread is a lot more narrow, though some species have picked up considerably. Only one Four-spotted Pennant to be found. Variegated Meadowhawks were down but still present in numbers. Red-tailed Pennants were up as were Common Green Darners. A few more Familiar Bluets than last time, too. But the Rambur's Forktails were up by an incredible number and were in a full mating frenzy. I walked about .2 mi between Basin 4&5 and all the way down the south end of Basin 4 and everywhere I looked there were Forktails paired up. I've never seen anything like it in the 3 years I've been watching Odes. Familiar Bluet - 5 Rambur's Forktail - lots Red-tailed Pennant - 8 Variegated Meadowhawk - 10+ Common Green Darner - 10+ Twelve-spotted Skimmers - 5 Four-spotted Pennant - 1 Black Saddlebags - 3 ------------------------------------ Subject: LRGV 10/22-23/11 - Estero, NABA, Santa Ana, Sabal, Resaca de la Palma From: "Troy" <alterna2627 AT att.net> Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:35:29 -0000 Took the family down to the LRGV this weekend to chase odes and leps . . . butterflies are beginning to pick up, but the ode activity remains slow. Had a few good ode sightings, but no good photo opportunities 10/22/11 (Saturday) Estero, from 8:30-11:50 10+ Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) 10+ Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburi) lots Common Green Darner (Anax junius) 10+ Red-tailed Pennant (Brachymesia furcata) lots Pin-tailed Pondhawk (Erythemis plebeja) - mostly at Kiskadee pond lots Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) 1 Great Pondhawk (Erythemis vesciculosa) lots Hyacinth Glider (Miathyria marcella) 1 Spot-tailed Dasher (Micrathyria aequalis) 10+ Thornbush Dasher (Micrathyria hagenii) 2-3 Carmine Skimmer (Orthemis discolor) lots Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) lots Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) lots Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) lots Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) 10+ Striped Saddlebags (Tramea calverti) lots Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) 10+ Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) highlighting the Butterflies here was a Gold-spotted Aguna (Aguna asander) next, we went to NABA Butterfly gardens, where there were very few odes but lots of leps. Odes included: 10+ Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis) 10+ Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula) 10+ Common Green Darner (Anax junius) 10+ Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) 4-5 Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) 10+ Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) 1 Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) 4-5 Variegated Meadowhwak (Sympetrum corruptum) Butterfly Highlights start off with an Osca Skipper (Rhinthon osca) - 3rd US record - along with several Gray Crackers (Hamadryas februa). I just missed by a few minutes seeing a Tailed Cecropian (Historis acheronta). Dropped Marla & Cheyenne off at the Hotel, and went to check out Santa Ana. Looks as if they had let the entrance pond dry before refilling it (all of the cattails were dead). I went ahead and hiked around the woods near Willow Lakes, and - although all Willow Lakes were dry - I'm glad I went ahead and did so, as I saw 2 Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon melanurus), 2 Mesquite Lizards (Sceloporus grammicus), and a probable Bar-sided Darner (Gynacantha mexicana) that was foraging around beneath the canopy on the north side of Willow Pond #1 (around 5 pm). It never hung up, but it was definitely either a Gynacantha or Triacanthagyna - by size and what color I could discern the times it dropped below eye level to investigate tree stumps and brush tangles, I'm fairly confident that it was mexicana (of course, this species being the most common forest darner, its also most likely). List for Santa Ana: lots Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula) 10+ Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) lots Common Green Darner (Anax junius) 1 cf Bar-sided Darner (Gynacantha mexicana) lots Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) 5-6 Band-winged Dragonlet (Erthrodiplax umbrata) 5-6 Thornscrub Dashers (Micrathyria hagenii) lots Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) lots Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) 10+ Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) 4-5 Slough Amberwing (Perithemis domitia) 4-5 Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) lots Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) 4-5 Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) I went back to Estero at dusk, but didn't add anything to my morning list. 10/23/11 (Sunday) Started at Sabal Palm this morning. Arrived at 9, but had to call the phone number to get the guy to come open it up (I think we woke him up LOL). The ode list was relatively short, but I again had some tantalizing odes, including another brown forest Darner (probably G. mexicana) that I lost in the thicket without seeing where it hung up, and at least one Blue-faced Darner (Coryphaeschna adnexa) which I flushed but got good looks at. 1 Chalky Spreadwing (Lestes sigma) 4-5 Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) lots Common Green Darner (Anax junius) 1 (possibly 2) Blue-faced Darner (Coryphaeschna adnexa) 1 cf Bar-sided Darner (Gynacantha mexicana) lots Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) 2 Great Pondhawk (Erythemis vesiculosa) 3-4 Band-winged Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax umbrata) 2-3 Thornbush Dasher (Micrathyria hagenii) 5-6 Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) 1 Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens) 4-5 Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) lots Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) Ended the trip at Resaca de la Palma State Park - again short on odes, long on leps. lots Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) lots Common Green Darner (Anax junius) 2-3 Thornbush Dasher (Micrathryia hagenii) 1 Carmine Skimmer (Orthemis discolor) 10+ Roseate Skimmer (Orthemis ferruginea) had both Orthemis perched on same stick 1 Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) lots Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) 4-5 Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) Butterfly highlights here were Blue Metalmark (Lasaia sula) and Walker's Metalmark (Apodemia walkeri). Troy Hibbitts Brackettville, TX http://thehibbitts.net/troy/ ------------------------------------ Subject: Hidalgo County From: MiriamEagl AT aol.com Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:28:33 -0400 (EDT) Hi, all! Went on my annual Ode Hunt yesterday, but it was pretty dismal compared to last year (with a hard freeze last winter and a record-breaking drought this summer, I'm really not surprised), but still had some nice things and might have found more if I were an experienced ode-hunter! :-) I visited Edinburg Scenic wetlands, Bentsen SP, NABA Garden, Old Hidalgo Pumphouse, Santa Ana NWR, Frontera Audubon, and Estero Llano Grande. I thought for sure I had a Three-striped Dasher at Santa Ana, but I think after studying the pics it was actually a small Thornbush Dasher. Nothing out of the ordinary, but my favorite was the Carmine Skimmer at Frontera--I don't see those every day! Smoky Rubyspot (Bentsen) Blue-fronted Dancer (NABA) Blue-ringed Dancer (several still hanging around Dan's spot at the canal at santa Ana) Familiar Bluet (Estero) Rambur's Forktail (out the yin yang at Bentsen) Desert Firetail (Frontera) Common Green Darner (all over) Red-tailed Pennant (Bentsen) Pin-tailed Pondhawk (Estero) Eastern Pondhawk (Santa Ana) Spot-tailed Dasher (Frontera) Thornbush Dasher (Santa Ana) Carmine Skimmer (Frontera) Roseate Skimmer (all over) Wandering Glider (a fly-by, I forget where exactly :-P) Slough Amberwing (Santa Ana 7 Old Hidalgo Pumphouse) Eastern Amberwing (all over) Black Saddlebags (all over) Red Saddlebags (Bentsen) Pictures are posted here: _http://miriameaglemon.com/photo_gallery/Latest%20Photos.html_ (http://miriameaglemon.com/photo_gallery/Latest%20Photos.html) Enjoy! Mary Beth Stowe McAllen, TX _www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Ovipositing From: "Ken Cave" <kencave AT sbcglobal.net> Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:36:53 -0500 You know the drought is bad when every time you stop one species or another tries to oviposit on your hood. Others have probably seen this but it is getting more common around here. My new Dodge PU is Hunter Green metalflake and appears blue under low/cloudy light and green in bright sunlight. Ken Cave, Senior Scientist Kenneth M. Cave & Associates P.O. Box 267 Sabinal, Texas 78881 Cell: 210-414-3906 E-Mail: kencave AT sbcglobal.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Cook's Slough - 10/15/11 From: "kef_jmiller" <icephotog AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 16 Oct 2011 11:26:58 -0000 Good extended morning at Cook's Slough Saturday morning. When I arrived there were a couple of birders who I wandered with for a while. Then another set of three folks showed up and the six of us went all over the place. So much for the notes and hints that a number of folks have provided to me. But most of the walk hit places where y'all have given me as good places to look so the notes were not a complete loss. After they left to go get lunch I stuck around for a little bit longer to knock out a personal goal and then headed home to San Antonio. FWIW, one of the group (a birder from TN) didn't understand why dragonflies were so interesting until she caught sight of a Twelve-spotted and then the tone changed dramatically. I think I brought one into our camp ;) The only way I can compare the ode levels was that it was similar to what I experience at Mitchell Lake. Very few damsels, large numbers of Variegated Meadowhawks, a good number of Black Saddlebags who didn't want to stop for a pose, and the 1's and 2's of a few other things. Numbers may be skewed by the fact the walk took me in a lot of areas where odes do not fare as well. Times: 9:40 - 1315 Clear Skies. Temperature: 71 (start) - 85 (finish) Familiar Bluet - 3 Blue-fronted Dancer - 1 Rambur's Forktail - 2 Variegated Meadowhawk - lots Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 3 Eastern Meadowhawk - 1 Common Green Darner - 10+ Roseate Skimmer - 2 Eastern Amberwing (Female) - 1 Black Setwing - 1 Black Saddlebags - 5 jim miller San Antonio http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmillerphoto/ http://www.jmillerphoto.com http://jphotoramble.wordpress.com ------------------------------------ Subject: Kickapoo Cavern SP From: "kef_jmiller" <icephotog AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:20:17 -0000 I was going through some notes planning for next year's shooting and I stumbled upon one that I had made noting that Kickapoo Cavern SP was now open unrestricted to the public. As such, has anybody been there since the restrictions were dropped and if so, what is the ode viewing environment like? jim miller San Antonio http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmillerphoto/ http://www.jmillerphoto.com http://jphotoramble.wordpress.com ------------------------------------ Subject: Blue-eyed Darner From: "Terry Hibbitts" <thibb AT swtexas.net> Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:18:53 -0500 TX: McCulloch County, Brady, Richards Park. 10/10/2011 at 2:00 - 2:30 pm. Stopped by park lake (what is left of it). There was some water below the dam that looks like it never had dried up. Two Blue-eyed Darners were observed and photographed. New county record. Also there were many Common Green Darners, one Twelve-spotted Skimmer, many Variegated Meadowhawks (these would have been new county record if I had taken any photos of them), two Wandering Gliders, and many Familiar Bluets. Terry Hibbitts Camp Wood, TX www.thehibbitts.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Uvalde County From: "Terry Hibbitts" <thibb AT swtexas.net> Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2011 16:50:33 -0500 October 5, 2011 TEXAS: Uvalde County, Cooks Slough Nature Preserve, 10:00 - 12:00 am. First time I have visited the park in weeks. Not a lot of numbers present. Partly cloudy. 85 degrees. Blue-fronted Dancer - 4 Blue-ringed Dancer - 5 Familiar Bluet - 5 Rambur's Forktail - 10+ Common Green Darner - 4 Red-tailed Pennant - 1 Four-spotted Pennant - 4 Tawny Pennant - 5 Black Setwing - 3 Eastern Pondhawk - lots Twelve-spotted Skimmer - 3 Roseate Skimmer - 12 Blue Dasher - 10 Wandering Glider - 4 Eastern Amberwing - 5 Variegated Meadowhawk - 6 Black Saddlebags - 2 On the way home I stopped at TEXAS: Uvalde County, Cooksey Park, Below the dam on TX 55. 1:30 - 2:30 pm. One of the few place were there is running water. Once again not much activity. Springwater Dancer - 1 Blue-ringed Dancer - 5 Kiowa Dancer - lots Aztec Dancer - 6 Double-striped Bluet - 1 Arroyo Bluet - 1 Common Green Darner - 2 Swift Setwing - 2 Blue Dasher - 1 Terry Hibbitts Camp Wood www.thehibbitts.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Twelve-spotted Skimmer, North McAllen From: MiriamEagl AT aol.com Date: Mon, 3 Oct 2011 20:33:25 -0400 (EDT) Hi, all! Came home from work, started a walk around the property, and noticed a Twelve-spotted Skimmer patrolling around an area the crew was watering! Ran and got the camera for some pics, then decided (since I had it) to poke around the pond in the RV area in back and had quite few other odes, including (best guess) a Straw-colored Sylph! Pics are posted here: _http://miriameaglemon.com/photo_gallery/Latest%20Photos.html_ (http://miriameaglemon.com/photo_gallery/Latest%20Photos.html) Enjoy! MB Mary Beth Stowe McAllen, TX _www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Evening Skimmer at Frontera Audubon Thicket, 9/28/11 From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:01:47 -0700 Good find, Dan. And that reminds me. It would really be great if the resident ode enthusiasts in south Texas could start trying to find out if all these exotic species are actually breeding there. One way would be to find a freshly emerged teneral. Another would be to conduct searches for exuviae around all the various water bodies to see what is actually present as larvae. The act of collecting them can be kind of fun (you'll have to wear boots or get wet feet), and it reaps great rewards of knowledge. In many situations, you can collect them without getting wet feet. The way I collect them is to dip each one in water if it's hanging onto a stem that can be bent to the water. That way it loosens the exuvia up, and it doesn't break when you pull it loose. Obviously if they're up on a tree trunk you can't do that, but if I can, I splash water on each one for the same effect. Then I put them in a bottle or some other container and let them dry off, obviously keeping those from each wetland separate, also recording the date. Yeah, I know it adds just one more thing to the activity of looking for everything that's out there and trying to photograph it too. I definitely empathize. If you pick them up, we can get them identified, or maybe you'll get into doing it yourself! Dennis On Sep 28, 2011, at 3:40 PM, Antshrike1 AT aol.com wrote: > This morning while I was looking for migrant birds at Frontera Audubon > Thicket in Weslaco, a cute little Evening Skimmer scooted by me and daintily > hung up right in front of me. This was on the shady portion of the north > part of the central loop trail. > > _http://i55.tinypic.com/2reoaon.jpg_ (http://i55.tinypic.com/2reoaon.jpg) > > _http://i53.tinypic.com/2nixkcm.jpg_ (http://i53.tinypic.com/2nixkcm.jpg) > > I also found five Mexican Wedgetails in their usual spot south of the > maintenance shed. Their shady pool is now being shared with Slough Amberwings, > Carmine and Roseate Skimmers, Spot-tailed and Blue Dashers, Black Setwing, > Red-tailed Pennant and Comon Green Darner. > > _http://i53.tinypic.com/35d3mty.jpg_ (http://i53.tinypic.com/35d3mty.jpg) > > Dan Jones, Weslaco > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Evening Skimmer at Frontera Audubon Thicket, 9/28/11 From: Antshrike1 AT aol.com Date: Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:40:24 -0400 (EDT) This morning while I was looking for migrant birds at Frontera Audubon Thicket in Weslaco, a cute little Evening Skimmer scooted by me and daintily hung up right in front of me. This was on the shady portion of the north part of the central loop trail. _http://i55.tinypic.com/2reoaon.jpg_ (http://i55.tinypic.com/2reoaon.jpg) _http://i53.tinypic.com/2nixkcm.jpg_ (http://i53.tinypic.com/2nixkcm.jpg) I also found five Mexican Wedgetails in their usual spot south of the maintenance shed. Their shady pool is now being shared with Slough Amberwings, Carmine and Roseate Skimmers, Spot-tailed and Blue Dashers, Black Setwing, Red-tailed Pennant and Comon Green Darner. _http://i53.tinypic.com/35d3mty.jpg_ (http://i53.tinypic.com/35d3mty.jpg) Dan Jones, Weslaco [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Giant Darner Kerr County From: tony gallucci <hurricanetg AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:30:51 -0500 i have had a Giant Darner, Anax walsinghami, flying up and down one of our dry draws this afternoon, have not yet been able to get a photograph. i will bring a net back after work. this would be a new county record for Kerr County. tony gallucci ingram/kerrville/hunt, texas hurricanetg AT hotmail.com http://tonygallucci.com http://tonygallucci.dAportfolio.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Blue-eyed Darner at Utopia From: mitch AT utopianature.com Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2011 16:49:29 -0500 Hi all, Nowhere near a NCR, but for me a new biome record, my first ever Blue-eyed Darner up here in the hills *on* the plateau in 8 years, and I've been looking. Some years we have them in the brush country spots around Uvalde, but this is the first of them I've seen up here in the upper Sabinal drainage. Poor photos obtained, perhaps at least 3 males were at Utopia Park today (25th). The Twelve-spotted Skimmer invasion is as strong as any in 8 years, yesterday (24th) there were 4 males and at least 1-2 females at Lost Maples SNA, photos obtained for what I think will be a long overdue documented Bandera NCR (seen a couple dozen in that co. going back 7 years). Jade-striped Sylph was also seen at LMSNA yesterday at (the best of) the regular spots, the pour-off below the newish eagle scout bridge, below the big pond on Can Creek. This micro-habitat is very similar to the Big Springs site in Real Co.. Variegated Meadowhawk has become common, ovipositing, everywhere locally in the last two weeks. There are hundreds of the big XXL Dytiscids at one water hole at the park, 30mm+, olive sheen, methinks genus Dytiscus, never seen them in 8 years here either, and I'm generally scanning for minnows so wouldn't have been missing them at one of my regular spots. Very cool bug. I think the drought makes the waterholes that are left magnets many factors beyond their normal selves. I see more odd unusual birds or odes in drought years, while local ode populations seem nearly decimated in many cases. Mitch Heindel Utopia www.utopianature.com ------------------------------------ Subject: Blue-eyed Darner, NCR, Archer Co From: Scotty Lofland <scotty76308 AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 25 Sep 2011 11:50:09 -0700 (PDT) I had 2 (most likely 3)  male BED today at a pond near Archer City Lake today.  I saw this species in Archer Co. a yr or two ago, but had no camera.  I also saw a female last wk laying eggs at the same pond, again with no camera (I was birding).  I did not see the female this morning.  I believe this will be the first documented record for Archer Co.   Scotty Lofland Archer City, TX [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Lake Lewisville area? From: Greg Lasley <glasley AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2011 11:18:53 -0500 I have been provided Lawrence's current email, so please disregard my earlier post. Thanks. Greg On Sep 24, 2011, at 10:34 AM, GregLasley wrote: > Hello TexOdes, > > Back in 2007 Lawrence Duhon took me to a nature trail area up near Lake Lewisville in Denton Co., where we photographed several dragonflies. I've been trying to find that spot on Google Earth without success and I am unable to locate a current email for Lawrence. If anyone could help me find the spot on a map or locate an email for Lawrence, I'd sure appreciate it. The email I have for him bounces. > > Greg Lasley > Austin > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Lake Lewisville area? From: "GregLasley" <glasley AT earthlink.net> Date: Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:34:20 -0000 Hello TexOdes, Back in 2007 Lawrence Duhon took me to a nature trail area up near Lake Lewisville in Denton Co., where we photographed several dragonflies. I've been trying to find that spot on Google Earth without success and I am unable to locate a current email for Lawrence. If anyone could help me find the spot on a map or locate an email for Lawrence, I'd sure appreciate it. The email I have for him bounces. Greg Lasley Austin ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Ibis catches darner From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:25:17 -0700 Interesting report, David. I'm always impressed at how effective herons and bitterns are at catching flying dragonflies, but as they feed by a quick snap of the neck and head, it's not surprising. I wouldn't have expected such ability from an ibis, a bird that takes a lot of its prey by tactile probing in mud and water. Dragonflies certainly aren't at the top of the food web when there are hungry wading birds around! Of course all birds surprise you if you watch them for a while. House Sparrows, typical seed-eaters, are very adept at capturing insects in flight. Dennis On Sep 23, 2011, at 7:26 AM, David Arbour wrote: > I was photographing a group of White Ibis at Red Slough WMA in extreme southeast Oklahoma yesterday when I observed a pair of Common Green Darners fly by in tandem close to an ibis that had its bill tucked in its back resting. The ibis quickly came to life and with 3 quick snaps of its bill managed to grab the trailing female darner. The male darner managed to break free just in time and flew off. The ibis then beat its prey around a bit and swallowed it whole. To see a photo of this ibis with its catch go to: http://www.pbase.com/image/138302195 . > > David Arbour > De Queen, AR > > Visit the Red Slough Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Lampasas Co. trip report, 22 Sept. 2011 From: "GregLasley" <glasley AT earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 15:21:16 -0000 Hello All, Just as a change of scenery, Chuck Sexton and I ventured 65 miles NW of Austin to Lampasas County yesterday, September 22, 2011. This "under oded" area had only 21 species on the county list so we thought we might add a few things. We hit three sites that still had water that Chuck knew about from previous birding trips up there. Below will be the sites we hit plus the species encountered. NCR = new county record. All NCRs were documented by photo and/or specimen. Photo records are on OC if you are interested. We added 14 species to the county list which now stands at 35. Lots more to be found up there…if it ever rains again. Greg Lasley Austin Lometa Reservoir, a ca. 40 acre lake just NW of Lometa, Texas along U.S. 183. The lake is drying out but still has decent vegetation and water. 31.23162 -098.42079 Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) - 75+ NCR Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum) - 200+ NCR Vesper Bluet (Enallagma vesperum) - 5 NCR Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii) - 20 Common Green Darner (Anax junius) - 20 (would be NCR but not able to photograph or catch all day) Four-spotted Pennant (Brachymesia gravida) - 15 NCR Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) - 1 NCR Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) - 10 NCR Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) - 35 NCR Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) - 10 NCR Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) - NCR Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) - 25 NCR Cooper Spring Nature Trail, a sulphur spring and creek in the city of Lampasas 31.06852 -098.17636 Variable Dancer (Argia fumipennis) - 5 Kiowa Dancer (Argia immunda) - 15 Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) - 5 NCR Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula) - 5 Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens) - 2 Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) - 20 Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva) - 20 NCR Common Green Darner (Anax junius) - 5 Eastern Ringtail (Erpetogomphus designatus) - 2 Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) - 2 Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) - 10 Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) - 2 Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) - 2 NCR Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) - 4 Sulphur Creek at its crossing of Naruna Road in Hancock Park, Lampasas. 31.05034 -098.18518 American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) - 10 NCR Variable Dancer (Argia fumipennis) - 2 Kiowa Dancer (Argia immunda) - 20 Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) - 10 Blue-ringed Dancer (Argia sedula) - 20 Double-striped Bluet (Enallagma basidens) - 3 Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile) - 15 Fragile Forktail (Ischnura posita) - 5 NCR Rambur's Forktail (Ischnura ramburii) - 10 Desert Firetail (Telebasis salva) - 20 Common Green Darner (Anax junius) - 5 Swift Setwing (Dythemis velox) - 2 Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) - 10 Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) - 2 Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) - 2 Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata) - 2 ------------------------------------ Subject: Ibis catches darner From: "David Arbour" <arbour AT windstream.net> Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:26:48 -0500 I was photographing a group of White Ibis at Red Slough WMA in extreme southeast Oklahoma yesterday when I observed a pair of Common Green Darners fly by in tandem close to an ibis that had its bill tucked in its back resting. The ibis quickly came to life and with 3 quick snaps of its bill managed to grab the trailing female darner. The male darner managed to break free just in time and flew off. The ibis then beat its prey around a bit and swallowed it whole. To see a photo of this ibis with its catch go to: http://www.pbase.com/image/138302195 . David Arbour De Queen, AR Visit the Red Slough Photo Gallery: www.pbase.com/red_slough_wma [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Blue-eyed Darner, NCR, Kinney Co From: "Troy" <alterna2627 AT att.net> Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:09:50 -0000 here is the OC Submission: http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/SubmissionAction.get/submission_id/333540 and a link to photos on my website: http://www.thehibbitts.net/troy/photo/odonata/blue-eyed_darner.htm Troy Hibbitts Brackettville, TX ------------------------------------ Subject: Battling damsels at Santa Ana NWR From: Antshrike1 AT aol.com Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:46:17 -0400 (EDT) The irrigation canal south of the visitor's center at Santa Ana NWR normally has floating mats of water stargrass that provide ample breeding areas for Neotropical Bluets and Blue-ringed Dancers. Today it seems that most of the plants had been flushed from the canal leaving just a single small mat. Now all of the damsels are concentrated in this three to four square foot area and are battling it out. _http://i54.tinypic.com/30a3n7m.jpg_ (http://i54.tinypic.com/30a3n7m.jpg) _http://i53.tinypic.com/2n1ayco.jpg_ (http://i53.tinypic.com/2n1ayco.jpg) Some are even resorting to fisticuffs! _http://i52.tinypic.com/155tkew.jpg_ (http://i52.tinypic.com/155tkew.jpg) Dan Jones, Weslaco [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Blue-eyed Darner, NCR, Kinney Co From: "Troy Hibbitts" <alterna2627 AT att.net> Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:42:03 -0500 Went out immediately after work to see if I could get shots/put net on the Blue-eyed Darner I saw yesterday at the Fort Clark Springs spring lake. Was successful in achieving both. I also saw what was presumably a yellow-phase female fly-by, but was unable to get shots. In addition to the Blue-eyed Darner(s), saw: Orange Bluets lots Arroyo Bluets lots Familiar Bluets lots Common Green Darners lots Red-tailed Pennants 4-5 Eastern Pondhawks 5-6 Blue Dashers lots Wandering Gliders 10+ Black Saddlebags lots Troy Hibbitts Brackettville, Texas ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://thehibbitts.net/troy/ http://blackbeltreptiles.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Blue-eyed Darner, Fort Clark Springs today From: Greg Lasley <glasley AT earthlink.net> Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:09:50 -0500 Hey Troy, This species tends to show up here in Austin (specifically at Hornsby Bend) in small numbers every late September and October, so it is certainly a pattern for this species in central Texas. Good luck getting some shots! I'll bet they are all over but not many folks find them. Greg Lasley Austin On Sep 21, 2011, at 6:52 PM, Troy Hibbitts wrote: > For the third year in a row, I've seen a Blue-eyed Darner here in > Brackettville . . . and for the third year in a row I did not have a net or > camera in order to voucher the darn thing. Will go out with net and camera > tomorrow and see if its still around. > > I think my chances are better this year than in years past to get a repeat > sighting - this year it was over the spring head as opposed to past years > sightings over an open field and the school parking lot. > > Troy Hibbitts > > Brackettville, Texas > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > http://thehibbitts.net/troy/ > > http://blackbeltreptiles.com > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Blue-eyed Darner, Fort Clark Springs today From: "Troy Hibbitts" <alterna2627 AT att.net> Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:52:16 -0500 For the third year in a row, I've seen a Blue-eyed Darner here in Brackettville . . . and for the third year in a row I did not have a net or camera in order to voucher the darn thing. Will go out with net and camera tomorrow and see if its still around. I think my chances are better this year than in years past to get a repeat sighting - this year it was over the spring head as opposed to past years sightings over an open field and the school parking lot. Troy Hibbitts Brackettville, Texas ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://thehibbitts.net/troy/ http://blackbeltreptiles.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Fort Clark Springs & Las Moras Creek, Brackettville 9/20 From: "Troy" <alterna2627 AT att.net> Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:07:22 -0000 Ran out to Fort Clark Springs to check out Las Moras Creek today. The swimming pool has now been closed and more water is being released into the stream. Further, the spillway of the (exceptionally shallow) lake at Red Bridge Park has been opened - the lake is mostly dry now, but the stream is flowing much better downstream of the lake than it was a few weeks ago. I searched from about 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, and had surprising little Ode activity. Diversity is also down. Found: Argia immunda (Kiowa Dancer) 10+ Argia sedula (Blue-ringed Dancer) lots Argia translata (Dusky Dancer) 10+ Enallagma basidens (Double-striped Bluet) lots Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet) lots Enallagma novaehispaniae (Neotropical Bluet) 10+ Enallagma praevarum (Arroyo Bluet) 1 Anax junius (Common Green Darner) 10+ Dromogomphus spoliatus (Flag-tailed Spinyleg) 2 tenerals Dythemis nigrescens (Black Setwing) lots Libellula pulchella (Twelve-spotted Skimmer) 2 Orthemis ferruginea (Roseate Skimmer) 1 Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher) 1 Pantala flavescens (Wandering Glider) 1 Pantala hymenaea (Spot-winged Glider) 1 Sympetrum corruptum (Variegated Meadowhawk) 1 Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags) 2 Troy Hibbitts Brackettville, TX ------------------------------------ Subject: Pinewoods Odes From: MiriamEagl AT aol.com Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2011 20:20:19 -0400 (EDT) Hi, all! Got back from a week-long trip to the Pineywoods last week, and while it mainly for birding, I had several new life odes, and some I had no clue about; the main page is posted here: _http://miriameaglemon.com/Trip%20Reports/Pineywoods/Pineywoods%20Main%20Pag e.html_ (http://miriameaglemon.com/Trip%20Reports/Pineywoods/Pineywoods%20Main%20Page.html) From there you can read the daily trip reports, or go directly to the "critter pages". The odes page is here: _http://miriameaglemon.com/Trip%20Reports/Pineywoods/Pineywoods%20Odes.html_ (http://miriameaglemon.com/Trip%20Reports/Pineywoods/Pineywoods%20Odes.html) Any corrections would be appreciated! Thanks, and enjoy! MB Mary Beth Stowe McAllen, TX _www.miriameaglemon.com_ (http://www.miriameaglemon.com/) [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Mexican Wedgetails at Frontera Audubon Thicket,9/15/11 From: Antshrike1 AT aol.com Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:17:54 -0400 (EDT) The Mexican Wedgetails continue at Frontera Audubon Thicket in Weslaco. I counted seven males on the south half of the long skinny pond south of the maintenance shed and one more on the main pond. All were perched on twigs a few inches above the water in full to partial shade. Nothing else note worthy. Dan Jones, Weslaco [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: Dragonflies as shorebird food? From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:54:45 -0700 Steve, Those are outstanding photos, and what a great thing to see! I have never seen a shorebird capture an odonate, and I have watched both groups a lot for a long time. Of course I would never have doubted they did eat them, especially larvae and emerging individuals, but it's nice to see the documentation. I've seen Greater Yellowlegs catch fish on a number of occasions, but I'm even more impressed by them now. Dennis On Sep 14, 2011, at 9:38 PM, Steve Collins wrote: > While at a local urban park this morning, I was alerted to the noise of > fluttering dragonfly wings. I looked to see a Greater Yellowlegs with a > struggling Common Green Darner in its mouth. I didn't see the shorebird > grab the ode in mid-air, but I didn't hear the dragonfly struggling in > the water either. I've seen herons and large flycatchers take flying > dragonflies before, but I've never seen a shorebird attempt it until today. > > I put together a slideshow showing the Yellowlegs shaking the darner, in > an apparent attempt to remove the wings. It only succeeded in removing > the head. Unfortunately a stray dog scared the bird before I could see > how it managed. > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/odephoto/6148751117/in/photostream/lightbox/ > > Maybe this is more common than I realize. > > Cheers, > Steve Collins > Lubbock, TX > > ----- Dennis Paulson 1724 NE 98 St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-528-1382 dennispaulson AT comcast.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Dragonflies as shorebird food? From: Steve Collins <dcollins AT ufl.edu> Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:38:15 -0500 While at a local urban park this morning, I was alerted to the noise of fluttering dragonfly wings. I looked to see a Greater Yellowlegs with a struggling Common Green Darner in its mouth. I didn't see the shorebird grab the ode in mid-air, but I didn't hear the dragonfly struggling in the water either. I've seen herons and large flycatchers take flying dragonflies before, but I've never seen a shorebird attempt it until today. I put together a slideshow showing the Yellowlegs shaking the darner, in an apparent attempt to remove the wings. It only succeeded in removing the head. Unfortunately a stray dog scared the bird before I could see how it managed. http://www.flickr.com/photos/odephoto/6148751117/in/photostream/lightbox/ Maybe this is more common than I realize. Cheers, Steve Collins Lubbock, TX ------------------------------------ Subject: OC problems From: "Terry Hibbitts" <thibb AT swtexas.net> Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 10:02:28 -0500 In the last few months I have had no problems. Last fall and early spring I couldn't get into OC at all or it would take so long that my computer would time out. Somewhere in there I thought OC changed to another server!! After that point I had no more problems. I think part my problem was my provider, but they kept denying it. Terry Hibbitts Camp Wood, TX www.thehibbitts.net [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Subject: Mitchell Lake Audubon Center From: "kef_jmiller" <icephotog AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 01:51:45 -0000 I spent most of Sunday morning out at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. It was a much, much, much more productive trip this time around than last. I walked the center lane between the east and west polders from the gazebo parking area all the way down to the lake. The water levels in the west polder and basin 1 are up from my visit in August. East polder and basin 2 are dryish. Basins 4 and 5 have considerable water in them. Walking the center lane between west and east polders allowed me to get the light I was looking for. I spent a short amount of time at the south end of basins 4 and 5, but to be honest I was out of gas by the time I got there and I knew I still had to walk back. Water level on the bird pond is way down. There was still enough water to allow small waterfowl swimming and there was a Green Heron feeding on something feeding in the shallowest of the shallows. No report on Basin #3 or Skip's Pond--too far out of the way with limited energy. Numbers and species spread were both up considerably. The body count: Rambur's Forktail (10+) Black Saddlebags (3) Blue Dasher (2) Common Green Darner (10+, including ovipositing tandems) Common Whitetail (2) Eastern Pondhawk (4) Four-spotted Skimmer (10+) Halloween Pennant (1) Thornbush Dasher (10+) Variegated Meadowhawk (10+) Roseate Skimmer (10+) Forktail action was limited to the south end of basins 4 and 5. Blue Dashers were around basin 1. Common Green Darners were all over the place and I photographed 2 pairs restarting the cycle of life. Thornbush Dashers and Variegated Meadowhawks were most common at the north end of west polder. Four-spotted skimmers were out in large numbers at basin 4 & 5, and almost exclusively males. The single Halloween Pennant was in the murky water on basin 1--the photo of him is gorgeous. Roseate skimmers were scattered throughout the west polder area and also up at the Bird Pond. And the Common Whitetails were both at the north end of west polder (1 male, 1 female). My personal body count was 446 images, with the majority of those being Variegated Meadowhawks. They were intensely cooperative. Jim Miller San Antonio http://www.jmillerphoto.com ------------------------------------ Subject: Re: OdonataCentral record upload issues From: Jim Sinclair <jim.sinclair AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 11:48:16 -0500 That may be very useful information, Dennis. Hopefully, the IT personnel can locate some of those instances in their logs. If so, that should help them ascertain whether the problem is within their control, or if it is a provider issue. On Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 9:26 AM, Dennis Paulson wrote: > Greg, > > I have had this happen a few times, only a small percentage of the 74 > photos I have submitted (a lot of the records I submit involve specimens). > I'm using a hard-wired desktop MacPro also, through Comcast. I also assumed > it was something about OC, as I never have trouble sending photos anywhere > else. But I don't upload to any other sites, except occasionally to America > Dragonfly. Sometimes when I'm working with OC on and off during a day, I see > an impressive number of records coming in, and I wonder if that traffic > alone might be responsible for the bottleneck. > > Dennis > > On Sep 11, 2011, at 6:36 AM, Greg Lasley wrote: > > > Thanks Jim, > > > > One of the things that mystifies me is that there are never issues with > uploading images to Flickr or eBay, and I can upload large tiff files of 40+ > megs to "yousendit.com" in a short time so that a client in England or > elsewhere can get the image, but for some reason, OC just hangs up on me > regularly with an odonate record and a 150K image. Just can't get a grip on > what the deal might be. > > > > Greg Lasley > > Austin > > > > On Sep 11, 2011, at 7:22 AM, Jim Sinclair wrote: > > > >> Greg, et al, > >> > >> I suspect that it is an ISP problem. I experienced that regularly with a > >> previous provider, and still do with my current one on occasion. With > >> cable, the time of day can be a factor, as network loading changes > during > >> the day/night. Although network loading is not supposed to be a factor > with > >> DSL from a technical standpoint, some providers have been deliberately > >> throttling back their speed at certain times of the day during heavy > load > >> periods. The increased load combined with the throttling can result in > >> slowed file transfer speeds and intermittent timeouts. > >> > >> On Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 8:28 PM, GregLasley > wrote: > >> > >>> Hello All, > >>> > >>> I'm seeking some feedback from you folks who upload records to > >>> OdonataCentral (OC) on a regular basis. Recently I have been going back > >>> though 10 years of odonate photos looking for photo county records I > may > >>> have missed in the past as well as records in parts of a county that a > >>> species had not been recored before on OC. I have had quite a few > problems > >>> uploading photos from time to time and John Abbott and U.T. Programmers > have > >>> been working with me trying to figure it all out. So far we have no > solid > >>> ideas. The question is...have any of you had these experiences? > >>> > >>> I have a desktop MacPro, pretty high end and lots of RAM, etc. I also > have > >>> a MacBook Pro that I travel with and I have a small PC that runs a > weather > >>> station at my house. I normally use the big desktop MacPro when I am at > >>> home. At times records upload just fine. At other times I will start to > >>> upload a record and it just hangs, and after several minutes the upload > page > >>> just goes blank. I am on Time Warner Cable with a good connection > otherwise. > >>> This has happened in Safari, Firefox and Chrome. My images are only > about > >>> 150K and all the data is correct. I have uploaded records many times > with > >>> the MacBook Pro both wirelessly and connected to the same router as the > >>> desktop mac by ethernet cable. Many times these records upload fine, > other > >>> times they hang up as well. Today I copied some images to my PC, which > is > >>> also hard wired to the same router as the Macs, and all the records > uploaded > >>> fine with no glitches. > >>> > >>> That is the short version of a long story. The programmers are trying > to > >>> figure out if it is a Time Warner issue, a Mac issue with the U.T. > servers, > >>> or something else entirely. Every other function on OC works fine for > me on > >>> either mac, just that the uploads seem to hang up pretty regularly. > >>> > >>> Has anyone else had occurrences when you are trying to upload a photo > >>> record to OC and the record just hangs and will not upload? If so, are > you > >>> on a Mac or PC...wireless or hard wired to a router? Just trying to > find out > >>> if anyone else is having issues like this at all, or perhaps it is just > that > >>> I am not holding my mouth right. Any feedback would be appreciated by > John > >>> Abbott, the programmers who are trying to make OC better, and of course > by > >>> me! > >>> > >>> Thanks. > >>> > >>> Greg Lasley > >>> Austin > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> ------------------------------------ > >>> > >>> Subject: Re: OdonataCentral record upload issues From: Dennis Paulson <dennispaulson AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 07:26:14 -0700 Greg, I have had this happen a few times, only a small percentage of the 74 photos I have submitted (a lot of the records I submit involve specimens). I'm using a hard-wired desktop MacPro also, through Comcast. I also assumed it was something about OC, as I never have trouble sending photos anywhere else. But I don't upload to any other sites, except occasionally to America Dragonfly. Sometimes when I'm working with OC on and off during a day, I see an impressive number of records coming in, and I wonder if that traffic alone might be responsible for the bottleneck. Dennis On Sep 11, 2011, at 6:36 AM, Greg Lasley wrote: > Thanks Jim, > > One of the things that mystifies me is that there are never issues with uploading images to Flickr or eBay, and I can upload large tiff files of 40+ megs to "yousendit.com" in a short time so that a client in England or elsewhere can get the image, but for some reason, OC just hangs up on me regularly with an odonate record and a 150K image. Just can't get a grip on what the deal might be. > > Greg Lasley > Austin > > On Sep 11, 2011, at 7:22 AM, Jim Sinclair wrote: > >> Greg, et al, >> >> I suspect that it is an ISP problem. I experienced that regularly with a >> previous provider, and still do with my current one on occasion. With >> cable, the time of day can be a factor, as network loading changes during >> the day/night. Although network loading is not supposed to be a factor with >> DSL from a technical standpoint, some providers have been deliberately >> throttling back their speed at certain times of the day during heavy load >> periods. The increased load combined with the throttling can result in >> slowed file transfer speeds and intermittent timeouts. >> >> On Sat, Sep 10, 2011 at 8:28 PM, GregLasley wrote: >> >>> Hello All, >>> >>> I'm seeking some feedback from you folks who upload records to >>> OdonataCentral (OC) on a regular basis. Recently I have been going back >>> though 10 years of odonate photos looking for photo county records I may >>> have missed in the past as well as records in parts of a county that a >>> species had not been recored before on OC. I have had quite a few problems >>> uploading photos from time to time and John Abbott and U.T. Programmers have >>> been working with me trying to figure it all out. So far we have no solid >>> ideas. The question is...have any of you had these experiences? >>> >>> I have a desktop MacPro, pretty high end and lots of RAM, etc. I also have >>> a MacBook Pro that I travel with and I have a small PC that runs a weather >>> station at my house. I normally use the big desktop MacPro when I am at >>> home. At times records upload just fine. At other times I will start to >>> upload a record and it just hangs, and after several minutes the upload page >>> just goes blank. I am on Time Warner Cable with a good connection otherwise. >>> This has happened in Safari, Firefox and Chrome. My images are only about >>> 150K and all the data is correct. I have uploaded records many times with >>> the MacBook Pro both wirelessly and connected to the same router as the >>> desktop mac by ethernet cable. Many times these records upload fine, other >>> times they hang up as well. Today I copied some images to my PC, which is >>> also hard wired to the same router as the Macs, and all the records uploaded >>> fine with no glitches. >>> >>> That is the short version of a long story. The programmers are trying to >>> figure out if it is a Time Warner issue, a Mac issue with the U.T. servers, >>> or something else entirely. Every other function on OC works fine for me on >>> either mac, just that the uploads seem to hang up pretty regularly. >>> >>> Has anyone else had occurrences when you are trying to upload a photo >>> record to OC and the record just hangs and will not upload? If so, are you >>> on a Mac or PC...wireless or hard wired to a router? Just trying to find out >>> if anyone else is having issues like this at all, or perhaps it is just that >>> I am not holding my mouth right. Any feedback would be appreciated by John >>> Abbott, the programmers who are trying to make OC better, and of course by >>> me! >>> >>> Thanks. >>> >>> Greg Lasley >>> Austin >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------ >>> >>>