Net Work

Because Green-striped Darners look remarkable like Canada Darners, some close up photos were needed to confirm the identification of the dragonflies I'd been seeing. And the best way to get those images was to net one and photograph it in hand. So I set out a little before noon to do just that.

It's good to know I'm still capable of netting a dragonfly when I need to. Though certainly I don't get near as much practice as I once did. My netting abilities peaked some years back---back when I had better eyesight and my fast-twitch muscles were twitchier. The summers of 2010, 2011, and 2012, most days I was in the field, net in hand. I was at the top of my game. Now, when I do take out the net, I practice more of a zen-in-the-art-of-archery approach to netting---deep breaths, a calm patience, and a practical acceptance of failure.

And the net itself has seen better days. Its segmented handle and collapsible rim allows the net to be taken apart and stored compactly. The rim, when it was new, was sturdy and circular. Today, when I unfold it, the shape resembles the wobbly edge of a wide-brimmed hat. And it jiggles like jello as I walk. Still, the net bag is in good shape and I'm confident I can capture many more dragonflies with it.

The darners were not on the trails where I'd seen them yesterday. Eventually I found one flying over a small clearing. It disappeared before I could get very close. Then, not far down hill, several more could be seen flying over the grassy margin at the edge of a small pond. Recent rain had flooded much of the area making it difficult to get near the dragonflies, but stepping hummock to hummock I made it to the edge of the tall grass. Then I waited and watched. There were four darners nearby, though there were no doubt more scattered around the pond. Each hovered three to six feet above the flooded grass, guarding their own territories. These territories seemed somewhat arbitrary and fluid. The darners chased away every invader, most often smaller dragonflies or a passing wasp or bee. Each skirmish with another darner usually ended with some adjustments to the amount and location of the air space being controlled and guarded. So it was only a matter of time and chance until one of the dragonflies stationed itself near where I stood. About twenty minutes passed before one hovered off my left shoulder. As it moved forward, one quick upward sweep of the net was all it took to capture the dragonfly, a Green-striped Darner.

Posted on 31 de agosto de 2017, 03:02 AM by scottking scottking

Observações

Fotos / Sons

Observador

scottking

Data

Agosto 30, 2017 11:30 AM CDT

Descrição

Green-striped Darner, male
St Olaf Natural Lands
Northfield, Minnesota

Fotos / Sons

Observador

scottking

Data

Agosto 30, 2017 10:51 AM CDT

Descrição

Black-legged Meadow Katydid
St Olaf Natural Lands
Northfield, Minnesota

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