We did some data collection at the Niobrara Valley Preserve this week. After we finished that work, we had an evening and early morning to do some wandering and photography before heading back south. Here are some photos from the trip.
Hi Chris, I always fail the plant quizzes, but I can ID the dragonfly! Its a Twelve-spot (once known as the ten-spot) Skimmer. The males have an extra pair of spots at the thorax.
Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Libellula pulchella. The lower second image is a female.
David Smith has lured me into the wonderful world of Odonates. There is no turning back.
Love the Sandhills photos. Thanks for making me ‘homesick’ for my beloved Sandhills.
We visited the sand hills last summer which included a canoe trip down the Niobrara River. My 12 year old grandson thought that he would be bored so he brought a book along. He was so amazed that he never opened it.
I wonder if your dragonfly might be a twelve-spotted skimmer. I’m especially taken with that last photo; it’s beautiful.
I think you’re absolutely right. Thanks! This is such a great way to identify photographed insects… : )
Oh my god I’ve been spelling horde wrong! Did you pick up that phrase from one of my posts lol? :-)
Suzanne
In case you hadn’t seen it, the Nebraska State Museum has a site, Odonata of Nebraska
http://unsm-ento.unl.edu/Odonata/index.html
Must get up to Niobrara one day. I think I’ve made this comment before. ;-)
I love the photo with the weevils – they look like little tiny pole-dancers! LOL!
Hi Chris, I always fail the plant quizzes, but I can ID the dragonfly! Its a Twelve-spot (once known as the ten-spot) Skimmer. The males have an extra pair of spots at the thorax.
Karen
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My Hidden Prairie Book arrived! Yippeeeeee!
Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Libellula pulchella. The lower second image is a female.
David Smith has lured me into the wonderful world of Odonates. There is no turning back.
Love the Sandhills photos. Thanks for making me ‘homesick’ for my beloved Sandhills.
We visited the sand hills last summer which included a canoe trip down the Niobrara River. My 12 year old grandson thought that he would be bored so he brought a book along. He was so amazed that he never opened it.