Four New Arizona Odes

In the last month, I have had some awesome ode highlights!

Monday, April 27th:  Secret Ponds north of Wickenburg, Arizona:  GREAT PONDHAWK

-Pierre Deviche found a total of three Great Pondhawks at the Secret Ponds north of Wickenburg.  His discovery was impressive, and after I got off of work I chased this dragonfly.  When I arrived at the ponds, I found my target in the early stages of my two hour search, and it wasn't to be seen again.  Great Pondhawks are active flyers and spend a lot of time in the air as opposed to perching.  I consider myself lucky to have gotten to see one of these dragonflies.  It was a great ode to get to represent my 100th ode species in Arizona.

Wednesday, May 20th:  Pima County, Arizona:  BAJA BLUET, CLAW-TIPPED BLUET, and TURQUOISE-TIPPED DARNER

Caleb Strand and I oded Canoa Ranch in Pima County, in search of the Arizona and United States-rare Baja Bluet, which is considered endemic to Baja.  Over the last few years, several of them have been found, and this time, they were found by Laurens Halsey at a pond within Canoa Ranch in the Green Valley Area.  Caleb and I were able to find one of them and were rewarded with great views.  Another lifer came into play for both of us when we found a few Claw-tipped Bluets, also at Canoa Ranch.  The pond held 5 different Bluet species, and finding the Baja and Claw-tippeds were entertaining.  Later in the day, Caleb pointed out a few Turquoise-tipped Darners to me at Arivaca Cienega NWR while we chased a Clay-colored Thrush successfully.  While I got a few looks at the quick-moving, and small Turquoise-tipped Darner, I wasn't able to see at land or wasn't able to attempt a photograph of it as they move too fast.

Baja Bluet

Claw-tipped Bluet (note the long "claw-like" cerci)

My Arizona ode list now stands at 103 species.  I have photographed all of them except two now: Pacific Spiketail and Turquoise-tipped Darner.  

I also photographed this Roseate Skimmer on my truck antenna.  It serves as a fun reminder that besides birding, I have also driven a lot of miles and made quite a few trips to see odes in Arizona.