Springtime Darner

Since I had to go to the dump anyway, and since plans to take my grandsons for a hike had to be postponed, I figured that I'd just tackle, by myself, a favorite trail that is near the transfer station. The area's known as Lantern Hill, and last year at just about this time, I discovered a newly metamorphosed dragonfly called a Blue Corporal resting its wings on the rocks. I wasn't sure of the identity, but my two mentors, biologists Dennis Paulson and Dave Wagner, helped me out, and Dave, who teaches at UConn, asked me to keep an eye out for more Blue Corporals, a Species of Special Concern in Connecticut. I succeeded in that mission, and as I hiked summit-ward, I paid close attention to any large flying insects. I didn't find any dragonflies until I was on my way down, when a glint of sunshine on a pair of clear wings gave the insect away. As I observed and photographed it, I was sure of one thing: it wasn't a Blue Corporal. Once home, I consulted my field guides rather than "bugging"—sorry, it's entomological humor, and pretty lame—my teachers. I think it's a Springtime Darner, a common, early, and very pretty odonate. This year, it gets the honor of being first.