July 17, 2025 — Manitowoc County
Parked at Point Beach State Forest Ranger Station, walked west back out of Park Rd, crossed O, walked trail past the horse facility, found a powerline track that cut through a wet alder thicket, followed it for maybe 0.5 mile until reaching knee-deep water - waited there and two Williamson's Emeralds showed up, patrolled for 30 minutes and then disappeared.
Parked at Point Beach State Forest Ranger Station, walked west back out of Park Rd, crossed O, walked trail past the horse facility, found a powerline track that cut through a wet alder thicket, followed it for maybe 0.5 mile until reaching knee-deep water - waited there and two Williamson's Emeralds showed up, patrolled for 30 minutes and then disappeared.
Williamson's Emerald (Somatochlora williamsoni)
Photographed
one male hovered fairly low over the water, breaking off only to chase another male or a passing skimmer - thrilling!
Photographed
one male hovered fairly low over the water, breaking off only to chase another male or a passing skimmer - thrilling!
Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
Observed
also saw a red tram that I couldn't identify
Observed
also saw a red tram that I couldn't identify
Cherry-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum internum)
Netted and released
many fresh individuals with dirty faces along the trail, no red males, netted a female and photographed subgenital plate - feel it matches S. internum.
Netted and released
many fresh individuals with dirty faces along the trail, no red males, netted a female and photographed subgenital plate - feel it matches S. internum.
Four-spotted Skimmer (Libellula quadrimaculata)
Observed
Observed
Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
Observed
Observed
Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)
Observed
Observed