The Damsels and Dragons Are Dancing

With the warmer summery weather, the butterflies are appearing and the dragonflies are emerging and arriving too. Some dragonflies over-winter in their nymph stage. Others actually fly into Ontario in the spring from further south. I am happy to meet any of them!

Ebony Jewelwings Fly Short Skirmishes

Photo of Ebony Jewelwing Male WW on NaturalCrooksDotCom
This is a male Eboney Jewelwing. I love their turquoise/emerald colouring and smoky wings.

Ebony Jewelwings are one of my favourite damselflies. They often perch and watch for prey to come close then fly out to catch it. This habit makes them easy to see, admire and photograph.

Photo of Ebony Jewelwing Female WW on NaturalCrooksDotCom
This is a female Ebony Jewelwing. Females have white bars near the tips of their dark wings.

Info on the internet says that these damselflies lay their eggs in submerged vegetation. So these ones will have to fly a fair distance if they want to breed: There is no standing or running water in Winston Woods park.

Ebony Jewelwings over-winter as underwater naiads.

Calico Pennants Arrive with Flags Flying

No one knows yet if Calico Pennants migrate or even fly in large numbers towards new territories but it’s possible. I was just happy to see this one along my local trail recently.

Photo of Calico Pennant real SM on NaturalCrooksDotCom

On Dasher !

Another dragonfly that might migrate or might not, is the Blue Dasher.

Photo of Blue Dasher SM on NaturalCrooksDotCom

Photo of Blue Dasher on NaturalCrooksDotCom

I agree this dragonfly does not look “blue.” Dragonflies are like some birds: they have different colouring for males, females, and immatures. It makes it challenging for beginners like me to tell them apart.

Common Whitetails Emerge Early

One of the first dragonflies I see each year is a local resident. Common Whitetails are not migratory. They overwinter as naiads and emerge in the spring.

Photo of Common Whitetail SM on NaturalCrooksDotCom

I tend to see more ‘adolescents” along my trail than mature males or females. I wonder if they move closer to water when they are older?

Not Done With Damsels

I have not yet figured out which kind this colourful Damselfly is. That’s ok because I enjoy just looking at them.

Photo of Damselfly on NaturalCrooksDotCom

I’m quite sure it will mature, find a partner, and make more beauty whether or not I can name it!

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