Last August, during a workday at the Heald Tract, we hiked through a beaver-flooded road that was just humming with the frenetic activity of dozens of dragonflies. I knew then that I would have to return to lead a dragonfly walk at the Heald Tract. Last week, I got my wish. The Heald Tract did not disappoint, either. Twenty two people joined me for a brief talk about dragonfly biology and conservation in NH, and then we headed into the swamp with nets swinging. Skimmers, a large and varied family of dragonflies, ruled the day- we caught and examined many Spangled Skimmers, Slaty Skimmers, Widow skimmers, and Twelve-Spotted Skimmers. Also netted were many bluets (damselflies), meadowhawks, and a single Canada Darner. It was fun to see many of the adults just as enthusiastic as the kids, swinging nets with abandon and overtopping their rubber boots to reach dragons further out over the pond. Because they rarely pause near enough for us to get a really close look, people are always fascinated to examine dragonflies up close in the hand. The patterns and colors on their bodies and wings are often stunning, and it's also fun to let them go by setting them down gently on a finger. Sometimes, they pause awhile on an outstretched finger, which is pretty magical if you're 5 years old....or 75!
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| A male meadowhawk takes a rest on someone's hand |
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| This is the shed "skin" of a dragonfly nymph as it emerges from the water and morphs into an adult winged dragon! |
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