“We Sweated and Survived”

We finished up our Dragonfly Blitz on Thursday, 29 July, visiting parts of Wildcat Hollow. Within 15 minutes of our arrival at the marsh, we spotted the elusive Comet Darner – a red beacon. And just like that, it was off, taunting us, daring us to catch it. Peering through binoculars from shore, ecstatic cries, “it’s coming right at you!” “to your left!” “on your right!” only seemed to confuse those standing with their nets at the ready. Skillfully, the Comet Darner snatched a saddlebag dragonfly and zipped off to the prairie.

Our skipper and moth expert, Jim Wiker, refused to give up, and after stalking it through the tall grass, returned with the Comet Darner in hand for all to admire.

Grand Total: 21 Species of Dragonflies

A few photos from the class:

IWIN Dragonfly Blitz Day 2

After our second day of the blitz, with heat index of 109, we are up to 29 species of butterfly and 20 species of dragonfly.

Today we visited Fulfer Creek and the Daybreak Sanctuary adding:

Mocha Emerald
Swift River Cruiser
Flag-tailed Spinyleg
Great Blue Skimmer
Blue-faced Meadowhawk

Tomorrow is our last day; fingers crossed for good weather and a few more species to add to our list.

We'll have plenty of pictures to post when we get back to the office!

Illinois Wilds Institute for Nature Dragonfly Blitz

"They're the greatest mathematicians. They can estimate the length of your net and add 18 inches." Richard Day

Thirty-two participants will spend three days in east-central Illinois trying to see as many species of dragonflies as possible.

Our first day, it was 90F and 75% humidity. At Ballard Nature Center in Altamont IL, we found 15 species of dragonfly:

Green Darner
Eastern Pondhawk
Slaty Skimmer
Twelve-spot Skimmer
Black Saddlebag
Carolina Saddlebag
Red Saddlebag
Halloween Pennant
Calico Pennant
Whitetail
Widow Skimmer
Eastern Amberwing
Spot-wing Glider
Blue Dasher
Spangled Skimmer

Tonight we blacklight for insects!