A morning at Bill Mason Centre (part 2)
July 30th, 2013
This post contains the reason why I went to Bill Mason Centre.
1680x1050 wallpaper
Just look at that. Have you ever seen a dragonfly more splendid? I hadn't. When I told Gillian that I was eager to see my first Calico Pennant, she suggested the "sandy pond" at Bill Mason Centre as a place to look for them. I'd never been to that part of BMC before--didn't even realize there was a sizable pond in the vicinity--but with a little exploration of side trails I managed to find it. Then I pored over the weedy vegetation on the shoreline looking for interesting odes. Found my Calico Pennants and quite a bit more besides!
1680x1050 wallpaper
The female Calico Pennant has her own beauty that rivals his. View at high res to appreciate how her wing patches are like luminous stained glass.
1680x1050 wallpaper
This spreadwing damselfly--Amber-Winged Spreadwing, I think--also modelled nicely for me. The bluish-white powder on his thorax and the tip of his abdomen is called "pruinosity." Some male odonates develop it as they mature. The pruinosity reflects ultraviolet light, which means that to insect eyes (and bird eyes), it must look even more striking than it does to us.
1680x1050 wallpaper
(Continued in next post...)
July 30th, 2013
This post contains the reason why I went to Bill Mason Centre.
1680x1050 wallpaper
Just look at that. Have you ever seen a dragonfly more splendid? I hadn't. When I told Gillian that I was eager to see my first Calico Pennant, she suggested the "sandy pond" at Bill Mason Centre as a place to look for them. I'd never been to that part of BMC before--didn't even realize there was a sizable pond in the vicinity--but with a little exploration of side trails I managed to find it. Then I pored over the weedy vegetation on the shoreline looking for interesting odes. Found my Calico Pennants and quite a bit more besides!
1680x1050 wallpaper
The female Calico Pennant has her own beauty that rivals his. View at high res to appreciate how her wing patches are like luminous stained glass.
1680x1050 wallpaper
This spreadwing damselfly--Amber-Winged Spreadwing, I think--also modelled nicely for me. The bluish-white powder on his thorax and the tip of his abdomen is called "pruinosity." Some male odonates develop it as they mature. The pruinosity reflects ultraviolet light, which means that to insect eyes (and bird eyes), it must look even more striking than it does to us.
1680x1050 wallpaper
(Continued in next post...)
| ← | → |
Gillian
July 30th, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Beautiful pictures, as always! I love the candy-apple red of the male Calico Pennants and the heart-shaped spots down the abdomen. Yes, that's an Amber-winged Spreadwing. The cool blues and greens make a nice contrast to the warm reds and yellows of the Pennants!
Suzanne
July 30th, 2013 at 7:20 pm
Thank you! I couldn't have gotten them without your tip, so I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Mike
July 31st, 2013 at 9:59 am
Nice shots... the last one in particular is really sharply focused all over, which is impressive!