Hunting Dragonflies
This was my prey. Ebony Jewelwing - Calopteryx maculata. It has been almost a year since I saw them last. I've only seen this critter in two locations yet, Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA, and Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk MA. They're worth the search, though I still haven't managed a great picture yet. They like hiding in the darkest areas. Basically sunlit trails. Easiest place to find them is on the Curtis Trail in Framingham, but bring the mosquito spray. I found a dozen or so but paid for each one with a bite.
Other dragonflies were less shy, the meadowhawks in particular. I convinced several to sit on my fingers by slowly moving it up behind them and they just moved their feet to perch on me instead. They'll even stay still with a camera less than an inch from their faces. Makes for an easy subject.
This was my prey. Ebony Jewelwing - Calopteryx maculata. It has been almost a year since I saw them last. I've only seen this critter in two locations yet, Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA, and Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk MA. They're worth the search, though I still haven't managed a great picture yet. They like hiding in the darkest areas. Basically sunlit trails. Easiest place to find them is on the Curtis Trail in Framingham, but bring the mosquito spray. I found a dozen or so but paid for each one with a bite.
Other dragonflies were less shy, the meadowhawks in particular. I convinced several to sit on my fingers by slowly moving it up behind them and they just moved their feet to perch on me instead. They'll even stay still with a camera less than an inch from their faces. Makes for an easy subject.
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Dragonflies are fun. But can you imagine seeing one as it sees you? Come to BIG BUGS at New England Wild Flower Society's Garden in the Woods in Framingham, MA through October 31, 2008. Special BUG Weekends feature individual insects. Bugmobiles offer crafts and hands-on bug adventures. The Bug Adventure Bags, available to borrow, at the Museum Store, enhance a child's visit with binoculars, bug box, and journal with crayons for recording images on paper. Submit digital images of the show to bigbugsart@newenglandwild.org. Just 20 miles from Boston, it is a great daytrip.
Don't miss Bill Staines, legendary folksinger, at WILD NIGHTS in the Garden, Friday, August 8, at 6pm. Tickets are $17 for members and kids/$20 for nonmembers. Advance tickets are available through cosponsor WICN at WICN.org or by calling 508-752-0700. Pack a picnic or purchase an a la carte one that evening for a total sensory experience of sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and touch. But please don’t touch the sculptures.
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