A Trip to the Zoo

Took the wife and most of the kids to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia on Saturday. In addition to seeing some fun action with the Koalas, and enjoying the Bird House (as always) I caught three species of odes with my camera.

Blue Dashers (Pachydiplax longipennis) continue to be the most numerous odes I'm seeing here lately.



I also saw a Variable Dancer (Argia fumipennis) at the Flamingo Pond.


And then finally, we took the trail down to the Saluda Mill ruins and saw numerous Ebony Jewelwings (Calopteryx maculata).

Finally

It's been a while since I've been out enjoying the world around me. Finally got a chance yesterday afternoon for a few minutes with the kids and managed a few odes.

Blue Dashers (Pachydiplax longipennis) were numerous along the edge of Semmes Pond on Fort Jackson. I was able to get some decent photos.




I also noticed some Eastern Pondhawks (Erythemis simplicollis). The Female was pretty easy, but this apparent male has me puzzled because it's appendages appear dark, when they should be white.



Finally, I caught a picture of an Orange Bluet (Enallagma signatum) just as it started to rain and we hopped on our bikes and made our way home.