Teneral Dragonflies. Day Brook Pond, Kennebunk Plains Wildlife Management Area.

Day Brook Pond is rapidly becoming my favorite local place to visit. It is not far…less than 5 miles…and it is beautiful both in itself, as landscape, and in the wide variety of wildlife possible there. Right now, the dragon and damsel flies are emerging in great numbers…the most I have ever seen in Southern Maine…and every trip is a study in tenerals. “Teneral” is the technical term among Odonatist for the newly emerged dragons and damsels in their adult (flying) form. Odonata have one of the more complex lifecycles…going through many sub-adult aquatic forms, before emerging for flight, mating, and egg-laying. This panel shows, clockwise from the upper left, and as near as I can tell: Calico Pennant (likely a female), Mantled Baskettail (the only one I have ever seen perched), Slaty Skimmer, and a likely Lancet Clubtail, all on their maiden flights. There were full adults of all of these species present over the pond and along the edges, but they were not posing for pics yesterday 🙂

Nikon P900. Processed in Lightroom and assembled in Coolage.

Day Brook Pond. Kennebunk Plains Wildlife Management Area

The abundance and variety of tenerals at Day Brook Pond continues to amaze me. I will go back this afternoon to see what else I can find, and perhaps to catch some of the adults perching. The Pond is embedded in a large parcel (almost 2000 acres) of State, Nature Conservancy, and Kennebunk Land Trust holdings that make up the Kennebunk Plains Wildlife Management Area (home to the endangered Black Racer Snake and, come August, the largest stand of the endangered Northern Blazing Star flower in the world). It appears to be an exceptionally healthy pond. It is also undeniably beautiful in its quiet way. It is a place that makes me feel privileged to be alive, privileged to be able to enjoy such a place, such a season with emerging odonata, wildflowers, birds, and the tall skies of early summer. Blessed. Simply blessed. It is good to be alive. It is better to know it is good. Thank you God. Happy Sunday!