On 22 January 2018, we visited the Everglades National Park’s Shark Valley Visitor’s Center. Despite being often crowded, the Shark Valley loop is always worth a stop. Concessionaires sell tram rides, but the loop is otherwise vehicle-free and wildlife abounds. A short walk gets you close to all sorts of birds and dragonflies.
This Florida Baskettail flew back and forth, low over the water near the visitors’ center. Photographing a small dragonfly as it zips along, briefly stops in midair, and then flashes off in the opposite direction is a challenge. This behavior is typical of male Florida Baskettails as they patrol for mates.
This Florida Baskettail flew back and forth, low over the water near the visitors’ center. Photographing a small dragonfly as it zips along, briefly stops in midair, and then flashes off in the opposite direction is a challenge. This behavior is typical of male Florida Baskettails as they patrol for mates.
This baskettail is normally found across Peninsular Florida, north into South Carolina. Unlike other baskettails, the Florida inhabits marsh-boardered ponds and streams. The Everglades provides just this type of habitat. Identification relies on seeing their relatively robust, non-contricted abdomen that sports a continuous yellow stripe. The species also lack dark basal wing patches (Paulson 2011).
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