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I am normally around moving water when hunting dragonflies, but that limits the potential species I may encounter. So the other day I headed over to the Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory, southeast of Austin, to see what hung around all the old waste water treatment ponds. I went in the mid afternoon, so I wasn't going to see a lot of birds, and would miss several Odonates as well, but I had a couple of hours, I was somewhat nearby, and as it turns out, I was not disappointed. One of the highlights was this Flag-tailed Spinyleg chowing down on probably an Empress Antonia (also called the Hackberry Emperor). I initially mixed this fellow up with an Eastern Ringtail, which was feeding nearby on a lady beetle (see below). Seeing a dragonfly moving between the grasses carrying such a big (and still living and struggling) load was rather impressive. I had in the past seen one of the Pondhawks flying around with a half-eaten dragonfly (the head was already consumed), which also highlighted the strength, hunting prowess and maneuverability of the dragonflies.
All told, in a little over an hour, I saw a dozen different Odonates, several butterflies, and a pair of mating robber flies, not to mention the turtles, deer and lizards. Oh, and as for birds, the heat of the day is still a good time for the starlings, grackles and vultures...
All told, in a little over an hour, I saw a dozen different Odonates, several butterflies, and a pair of mating robber flies, not to mention the turtles, deer and lizards. Oh, and as for birds, the heat of the day is still a good time for the starlings, grackles and vultures...