Seventeen Species of Dragonflies and Damselflies at Bles Park

The dragonfly walk on June 16 was held at Bles Park and delighted several young and adult enthusiasts by with 17 species of dragonflies and damselflies.  Led by Bryan Henson, the group found many of our common dragonfly species near the parking lot including Common Whitetail, Blue Dasher, Eastern Pondhawk and the tiny Eastern Amberwing.  We enjoyed aerial shows and battles from some of our larger local dragonflies including Common Green Darner, Black Saddlebags, Prince Baskettail and Swift River Cruiser.  We found a lot of dancers: Powdered Dancer, Blue-tipped Dancer and Blue-fronted Dancers were inhabiting the ground of the trail in larger numbers as we walked.  On the Potomac, we found American Rubyspots and a Cobra Clubtail and a Stream Bluet.  On the way out of the park, we found a Great Blue Skimmer perched in a spot we know they like.  Fragile Forktail and Widow Skimmer rounded out our sightings.