29 June 2014
If you’re like me, you’re in the midst of a low spot in the birding year. There are lots of birds in Pennsylvania right now but they’re secretive because they’re nesting. They’re going to stop singing in July. Sigh. It’s a bummer. Check out this graph of the birders’ emotional year to see what I mean.
However, it’s Bug Season. Beautiful bugs are here to fill our need for color on the wing.
In June 2012 Charlie Hickey and his wife watched for dragonflies to emerge from the lake at their backyard in Berks County. He posted this Calico Pennant (), above, on the day it first appeared, June 5.
As June unfolds more dragonflies appear, clothed in many colors.
Eastern Pondhawks are blue and green. This pair is mating.
Eastern amberwings are golden orange.
Widow Skimmers are blackish-brown and white.
And my very favorite, the ebony jewelwing damselfly, is iridescent blue-green with velvet black wings.
See more dragonfly colors on the wing in Charlie’s Odonata album.
(photos by Charlie Hickey)
Just got back from camp and found some of these mostly in the forest along streams and Beaver ponds .Thanks for putting up Charlie Hickey’s page. I couldn’t get as good as photos because everything fogged up because it was so humid. Also found Uppies right where you said . But it took two tries , because those roads were closed on Friday due to repaving. Thanks.
Hi Kate.
Do you know of any local hotspots for dragonflies? I was thinking the butterfly meadow at Moraine might be good, but I don’t know.
Thanks.
Melissa
Melissa, I forget to look for dragonflies, I just notice then when they’re around, so I can’t think of where to look … except perhaps at Jennings Prairie.