Bear Creek, Colusa County - 5/12/07

Bear Creek was pretty quiet today, as to be expected this early in the season. There were a fair number of species but not many individuals. Species seen included American Rubyspot, Black Spreadwing, California/Aztec Dancer, Sooty Dancer, Northern/Boreal Bluet, Tule Bluet, Pacific Forktail, Black-fronted Forktail, Western Forktail, Pacific Clubtail, and Flame Skimmer. The spreadwing and the Black-fronted Forktail appear to be new for Bear Creek (based on the checklist in the files area of the CalOdes web site). Conditions were very tough for photography. There was a steady breeze and the few odes that were there tended to be skittish. I had to chase the Black-fronted Forktails well into the cattails and was unable to get decent photographs of male California/Aztec Dancer.

Female Black Spreadwing -- the only spreadwing seen.

A female California/Aztec Dancer.

Male Sooty Dancer.

Female Bluet, probable Northern/Boreal or Tule.

Young female Pacific Forktail.

Male Black-fronted Forktail.

Female Black-fronted Forktail.

Close-up of above female.

Young male Western Forktail.