Odes at Rio Salado and Papago Park, Maricopa County, Arizona

On Friday, July 28th, 2017, I went oding for three hours at Rio Salado late in the morning and early in the afternoon.  On Saturday, July 29th, 2017, I went oding at Papago Park for just over four hours.  Both of these locations are located in Phoenix.

Rio Salado Restoration Area

On July 28th, I went to Rio Salado, where I covered the demonstration wetlands on the north side of the Salt River via Central Avenue.  I then went just west of the Central Avenue bridge to ode a stream as well as a small portion of the Salt River.  I was targeting Turquoise-tipped Darner and Striped Saddlebags, species that Justin Jones inspired me to see.  I missed both, but still had a great time.  Here are some highlights:

Citrine Forktail

Black Setwing

Western Pondhawk

Black Saddlebags

White-belted Ringtail

Blue-eyed Darner

Common Green Darner

Black Saddlebags

Widow Skimmer guarding against Western Pondhawk and Blue Dasher

Roseate Skimmer

Red Saddlebags

Total species list for Rio Salado:  Citrine Forktail, Rambur's Forktail, Common Green Darner, Blue-eyed Darner, White-belted Ringtail, Red-tailed Pennant, Black Setwing, Western Pondhawk, Widow Skimmer, Flame Skimmer, Roseate Skimmer, Blue Dasher, Wandering Glider, Spot-winged Glider, Mexican Amberwing, Black Saddlebags, Red Saddlebags.  TOTAL:  17 Species

Papago Park

I went to Papago Park mainly targeting two lifers:  Striped Saddlebags and Double-striped Bluet.  And of course, I was hoping to find a surprise such as a Great Pondhawk.  Thanks to Justin Jones's timely tips, I found my lifer Double-striped Bluet.  It was a female, and was away from the water in some close by vegetation that consisted of small bushes.  Other awesome highlights I had were Marl Pennant and Plateau Dragonlet, and a probable Straw-colored Sylph.  I really like oding at Papago Park, and it is really starting to grow on me!  Here are picture highlights:

Citrine Forktail (female)

Common Green Darner (trying to channel Giant Darner)

Roseate Skimmer (female)

Roseate Skimmer (male)

Black Setwing

Comanche Skimmer

Red-tailed Pennant

Marl Pennant

Familiar Bluet

Blue-eyed Darner

Mexican Amberwing

Double-striped Bluet (female):  Lifer!  Thanks Justin Jones for the tips on finding this tiny Bluet.  I found this female Double-striped Bluet by searching through small bushes off on the sides of the ponds within Papago Park.

Red Saddlebags

Plateau Dragonlet

Total species list for Papago Park July 29th, 2017:  Blue-ringed Dancer, Dusky Dancer, Familiar Bluet, Double-striped Bluet, Citrine Forktail, Rambur's Forktail, Common Green Darner, Blue-eyed Darner, Red-tailed Pennant, Black Setwing, Western Pondhawk, Plateau Dragonlet, Comanche Skimmer, Widow Skimmer, Marl Pennant, Roseate Skimmer, Blue Dasher, Wandering Glider, Spot-winged Glider, Mexican Amberwing, Black Saddlebags, and Red Saddlebags.  TOTAL=22 SPECIES for Papago Park.