liamhuber's Favorites

Desert Shadowdamsel
Palaemnema domina
pair in tandem
Eagle Creek,
near Clifton,
Greenlee Co., Arizona
25 August 2013

This is the only member of the family Platystictidae in the United States. This is probably one of the rarest resident odonates in the U.S., occurring only in isolated areas of SE Arizona. It lives in shaded areas in places like exposed tree roots along stream banks. It can be difficult to find the species even if you are where they live.

Shots of a pair as well as single male and female posted.

Spotted on bank of cattle pond and then scurried into the water. No fencing or containment.

Note: To clarify, all signs indicate this is either a

1. Uncontained pet on private property
2. Deliberately abandoned pet
3. Escaped pet that has managed to travel to this location (if this option, not likely to have traveled far due to rural setting with few homes spaced 1/4mile to 1 mile+ apart and scarce water sources)

White Rock lake, in front of the sunset bay pier
Lifer!!!!
I got some lifers this morning, my 1st Wilson's Phalaropes. There was a pair of them at White Rock lake. This is the male of the pair. Females are larger and more boldly marked so I thought I'd feature him first so he is not overshadowed by her. I think he is quite handsome. Thought he might be a juvenile but I consulted with a shorebird expert (Chris Runk). He said this is an adult male part way thru molting into his less impressive breeding colors. I am thrilled to not only get lifers but have them very close & cooperative. They are migrating thru our area.

Photo taken during our 2009 Lava Beds butterfly outing. This is a Great Purple Hairstreak, of which we saw a suprising 10 individuals! Participants were Sue and Jim Anderson, Ray Bruun, and Cathy and I.

This female Pine White was photographed in the Warner Mountains in Modoc County, Northern California on 8/15/2008. This photograph will be included in Dr. Jeffrey Glassberg's new book "A Swift Guide to the Butterflies of North America".

This Indra Swallowtail was mixed in with four other species of swallowtail, mud-puddling at Lake Shasta, Northern California. Ray Bruun and I counted 20 Indra Swallowtails on this outing! Photo taken on 5/7/2010.