September 17, 2024 — Calumet County
Wetland and pond area along Kesler Road just beyond the Village of Sherwood Yard Waste Collection area.
Wetland and pond area along Kesler Road just beyond the Village of Sherwood Yard Waste Collection area.
Lance-tipped Darner (Aeshna constricta)
Photographed
Caught, photographed, and released 12 Lance-tipped Darners. Observed many more. Every Lance-tipped Darner observed in my four recent visits to this location (9/12, 9/13, 9/16, 9/17) was either flying or hovering and flying. None were ever observed perched. Having positioned myself at the edge of a gravel road closely bordering the edge of the pond, the Lance-tipped Darners often flew in a similar and predictable pattern, moving in and out among the reeds and other vegetation at the pond edge, sometimes crossing the road, but always returning to the pond side. Greater numbers of the dragonflies seemed to prefer the perimeter of the largest open body of water in the wetland. They displayed territorial behavior when two or more flew in close proximity, chasing each other. Prior to being caught, one of the Lance-tipped Darners observed 9/17/2024 repeatedly and very lightly touched the surface of the pond. It was the only one on any of the days to display this behavior. There were far fewer Lance-tipped Darners flying on 9/17 after 5 pm as the Sun moved lower in the sky and there were more shadows.
Photographed
Caught, photographed, and released 12 Lance-tipped Darners. Observed many more. Every Lance-tipped Darner observed in my four recent visits to this location (9/12, 9/13, 9/16, 9/17) was either flying or hovering and flying. None were ever observed perched. Having positioned myself at the edge of a gravel road closely bordering the edge of the pond, the Lance-tipped Darners often flew in a similar and predictable pattern, moving in and out among the reeds and other vegetation at the pond edge, sometimes crossing the road, but always returning to the pond side. Greater numbers of the dragonflies seemed to prefer the perimeter of the largest open body of water in the wetland. They displayed territorial behavior when two or more flew in close proximity, chasing each other. Prior to being caught, one of the Lance-tipped Darners observed 9/17/2024 repeatedly and very lightly touched the surface of the pond. It was the only one on any of the days to display this behavior. There were far fewer Lance-tipped Darners flying on 9/17 after 5 pm as the Sun moved lower in the sky and there were more shadows.