[Odonata-l] I just took a paddle

[May]

It's been so hot in the panhandle.  Tonight was bearable, and I got my 
kayak and took it across to the canal and put in at my neighbor's yard.

This is Econfina Creek, north of Panama City, FL.  If you are planning 
some photography or collecting, the odes were all over - laying eggs, 
mating.
Dragons and damsels.  I saw many I've never seen before, because I was 
in the kayak.  I left at about 5 p.m.  Please put this area on your 
maps.  There is one livery in the area, just above highway 20.  There's 
a fishcamp around the corner.

I didn't take a camera, and I didn't take notes.  But now I'm going to 
bury my nose in a reference book.

We are in year 3 of a drought.  The ponds are drying up, and even the 
waterlily leaves are curling and crispy.

The weather pattern for 2 or 3 weeks gave us some rain in the afternoons.
So now there are mosquitoes and it's looking better.  Tonight, tiny 
white moths were being taken as prey.

If you're in this area, or just passing through, consider dinking around 
the creeks in a canoe or kayak.  And never be afraid of not finding a 
motel or hotel.  There's no end of lodging.

We have the beach, too, and St. Andrews State Park has a campground.  
It's mixed wetlands - bring your camera.  A few steps to the beach and a 
few steps into a  fresh water environment.  Very nice.

If you're planning a trip, let let me know and I'll help as much as I can.

May