Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Nature => Topic started by: paul_reeves on October 04, 2013, 04:22:43 PM

Title: Algonquin Dragonflies
Post by: paul_reeves on October 04, 2013, 04:22:43 PM

The "Algonquin Birding Report" from ONTBirds just arrived and obviously I was always in the wrong location this week because I didn't see most of the birds reported in that email. As a matter of fact, birding for me was so bad up there I started shooting Dragonflies yesterday and I need some help.

These two shots are of the same bug that I followed from one perch to another. I thought it was a Meadowhawk of some sort but looking at the amber patches at the base of the wings I can't find it in my book. I took these shots along the logging road that forks off from Opeongo.
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/dragonflies/cherry-faced_meadowhawk_dragonfly/cherry-faced_meadowhawk_dragonfly_8613.jpg)
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/dragonflies/cherry-faced_meadowhawk_dragonfly/cherry-faced_meadowhawk_dragonfly_8608.jpg)

The next two are different bugs but I assume they are the female version of the species above. They were photographed a few minutes after the Dragonfly above.
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/dragonflies/autunm_meadowhawk_dragonfly/autunm_meadowhawk_dragonfly_8617.jpg)
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/dragonflies/autunm_meadowhawk_dragonfly/autunm_meadowhawk_dragonfly_8625.jpg)

I know this is a Darner and guessing Canada Darner??? Of course it could be a Lake or Shadow Darner but I don't think it is a Green-striped Darner since the thoracic stripes appear to be blue, not green. I took this along the Spruce Bog trail.
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/dragonflies/shadow_darner_dragonfly/shadow_darner_dragonfly_8641.jpg)

I I took this shot on Wednesday near Wolf Howl Pond.
(http://www.paulreeves.ca/images/nature/insects/dragonflies/autunm_meadowhawk_dragonfly/autunm_meadowhawk_dragonfly_8415.jpg)

Title: Re: Algonquin Dragonflies
Post by: Paul O'Toole on October 04, 2013, 05:52:36 PM

I am wondering if the first two is a Cherry Faced Meadowhawk?

Title: Re: Algonquin Dragonflies
Post by: paul_reeves on October 04, 2013, 06:37:52 PM

I was thinking that myself but what about the amber colouring at the base of the wings?

Paul

Title: Re: Algonquin Dragonflies
Post by: Reuven_M on October 04, 2013, 10:47:49 PM

Male Cherry-faced Meadowhawk, Female Autumn Meadwhawk, Male Shadow Darner and Female Autumn Meadowhawk again.

Title: Re: Algonquin Dragonflies
Post by: paul_reeves on October 05, 2013, 08:09:55 AM

Thanks for the help.

Paul