[Odonata-l] Emerald ID

[David Trently]

OK, I thought for sure I had correctly identified a dragon as Racket-tailed 
Emerald. But the message below makes me question that now. Here is a link to a 
photograph of an emerald from Brownfield Bog, Maine, south of Fryeburg. Can 
anyone comment on it?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/avian_pursuits/581144216/in/set-72157600418469485/

If you can't get to it through that link, try 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/avian_pursuits/
and look in the New England Dragons set.

>It's a male Corduliid all right. But not a Racket-tailed Emerald. The male
>Racket-tailed is much wider near the tip of the abdomen. I believe it's a
>Brush-tipped Emerald, Somatochlora walshii. See the following two photos for
>comparison.

>Racket-tailed (Dorocordulia libera) http://tinyurl.com/2nmaaj

>Brush-tipped (Somatochlora walshii) http://tinyurl.com/2jsftp

>-- June Tveekrem


Thanks!
David Trently
Avian Pursuits Nature Tours
Knoxville, TN