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LinkedInPosts Tagged: dragonfly
First Flameskimmer of the Year
It was a little late. The first flameskimmer of the year usually arrives in our yard in early April. Not this year. The species, Libellula saturata, was late. The easily recognized red dragonfly, also known as "the firecracker skimmer," touched down in our yard today,...
A flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, perches on a bamboo stick in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Another view of the flameskimmer, Libellula saturata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Day That Dragonflies Sprang to Life
Dragonflies sprang to life in dazzling colors during the family arts-and-crafts activities at the recent Bohart Museum of Entomology open house on "Dragonflies Rule!" While dragonfly experts fielded questions from guests, over at the arts-and-crafts table, children and their families eagerly...
The arts-and-crafts activity at the Bohart Museum's dragonfly open house was a popular site. In the back (at left) is noted dragonfly expert Rosser Garrison of Sacramento. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
High school student Kate Phillips of the Da Vinci Charter Academy leads the dragonfly candle project. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bohart volunteer Barbara Heinsch of Davis coloring a dragonfly page. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Sacramento residents Kay Lu of Sacramento and her daughter, Lena 7, loved creating the projects. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Ingredients for the dragonfly candles await the artists. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
'My Old Flame' Returns
"My old flame" returned Saturday, July 2. A strong north wind aided him. It wasn't the "old flame" from last year, but a new generation. Still, what a beauty of a dragonfly--a red flameskimmer or firecracker skimmer (Libellula saturata), native to Western North America. Big Red perched on...
A red flameskimmer or firecracker skimmer (Libellula saturata) perches on a tomato stake in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A strong north wind engulfs the red flameskimmer, turning his wings into head gear. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Big Red, the flameskimmer, agrees to another portrait. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
What's on the menu? Big Red, the flameskimmer, returns to his perch to eats his lunch. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Just a Sweat Bee Foraging on a Black-Eyed Susan
"Sweat bees have earned their common name from the tendency, especially of the smaller species,to alight on one's skin and lap up perspiration for both its moisture and salt content." So write University of California scientists in their award-winning book, California Bees and Blooms, a Guide for...
A sweat bee, Halictus ligatus, foraging on a Black-E
The sweat bee, Halictus ligatus, moves around the Black-Eyed Susan. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The sweat bee, Halictus ligatus, covered with pollen, takes flight. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A flameskimmer dragonfly, Libellula saturata, munches on a sweat bee, Halictus ligatus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Like a Lens to a Flame
It's a delight to see the flameskimmer dragonfly (Libellula saturata). This male made its appearance in our Vacaville pollinator garden on May 17, and hung around long enough for me to capture several images. Like a lens to a flame... When folks talk about seeing "a red dragonfly,"...
The male flameskimmer dragonfly (Libellula saturata) is firecracker red. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A different angle, but the same gorgeous flameskimmer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
