Right. I think I said something about posting more regularly, didn’t I? This plan would have worked out better if I hadn’t caught a particularly nasty computer virus/malware a couple of days later. A week and a half, two drive reformats and a disgusting number of hours of head-bashing later, I think the system is clean enough to get back to normal functionality (knock on wood). I think this calls for a celebration – how about an odonate parade?
This weekend Dan and I made the first two of our MAPS visits; the first to Blue Lakes, the second to Rock Ridge. The habitat above is from Rock Ridge, near the site where we sit to do the banding. This morning the air above the rocky ledges was thick with dragonflies. Likewise, yesterday at Blue Lakes there were dozens of dragonflies cruising along the water’s edge and over the rocky domes. In between net rounds I spent a fair bit of time stalking dragonflies. I got photos of most of the species I spotted. I’m not 100% certain on a few of these IDs; if anyone knows better, I’m open to correction.
The video here is of the swarms above the rocks at Rock Ridge. It’s hard to capture the numbers the same way one experiences it in person, but I think this gives you an idea…
Four-spotted Skimmer
Chalk-fronted Corporal, male
Chalk-fronted Corporal, immature female
Chalk-fronted Corporal, female with deerfly
Frosted Whiteface, male
Common Baskettail
Common Whitetail, male
Common Whitetail, immature male
Common Whitetail, female
Stream Cruiser
Dot-tailed Whiteface, male (prob. imm.)
Dot-tailed Whiteface, female
Belted Whiteface female?
American Emerald
American Emerald, saying hello
Beaverpond Clubtail female?
Beaverpond Clubtail male?
Beaverpond Clubtail? mating pair
Many of the clubtails look similar, and Dragonflies Through Binoculars has tiny photos. This was my best guess.
seabrookeleckie.com 
Not sure, Seabrooke, if my comment lodged, but was just wondering if you knew why we call ‘Four-spotted Skimmers’ ‘Four-spotted Chasers’ here in UK?
http://carolinegillwildlife.blogspot.com/2011/05/odonata-6wwt-llanelli-again.html
That opening shot, with the curved line of rock, looks like you are walking in an informal garden. I thought I’d seen quite a few dragonflies around here recently, but nothing like your hoards! Cool.
The American Emerald is actually a Racket-tailed Emerald. The Racket-tailed Emerald is known for its thick club and thick line on the side. The club on an American Emerald is slighter and the ring is thin.
The Beaverpond Clubtail is not. It is likely an Ashy Clubtail or a Dusty Clubtail.
If you are looking for a new dragonfly field guide, I recommend “Field Guide to The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Algonquin Provincial Park and the Surrounding Area”. My copy is well worn. This guide is quite complete.
If you want to get serious about dragonflies, I suggest a collapsible net from bioeqip, so you can do catch and release. The net is expensive because of the shipping and customs (total about $60-65, with four one-foot segments plus net) but very convenient and will fit in (but awkwardly) a sidepouch.
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