Western Pondhawk dragonflies

[Gord]

Recently I was pleased to have found Western Pondhawks at different locations than Cheam Lake Wetlands where they're best known to be found in the Fraser Valley. More information on the species in B.C. at the link. ibis.geog.ubc.ca/biodiversity/factsheets/pdf/Erythemis_collocata.pdf


I recently saw a female at Harrison Lake breakwater. The one in the photograph, also a female, was at the East Sector park; also in Harrison.




This was was in Popkum a few kilometers from Cheam Lake




A beautiful dragonfly. The males are a very nice blue very similar to a blueberry.

[Deleted]

One of my favourite dragonfly species! The females are so hard to see when they are perched in the reed canary grass as they so often do in wetlands around here, and are then only seen when they fly as you get close and disturb them.

Another reliable location for them in the Fraser Valley is the main pond on the TWU campus in Langley. Their (male) look-alike, the Blue Dasher, seems to be always more numerous wherever I've found them. But they can be distinguished fairly easily, once you get used to them.

[Gord]

Here are some of a male Western Pondhawk from Cheam Lake in August.






The Blue Dasher, that Stan mentioned is quite similar. Here's one from Hope back in early August. Notice the rusty colouring at the base of the wings (can be more extensive on some individuals) and the streaking on the thorax when viewed from the side.