Hudsonian Whiteface

After a week of no rain and temperatures over 70°, odonates are flying. On 23 April 2021, I found an Hudsonian Whiteface in our Olympia yard. These dragonflies have an odd range, breeding from central Canada into the northeastern United States and also from British Colombia south into California. In Washington, they are locally common in wooded lowlands and up to 6600 feet in mountains (Paulson, pers. comm.). Although they can be locally common, this young female is only the second one I have ever seen. 23 April is two days later than the species has ever been seen in the state. My other record is from near Olympia two years ago on 26 April. Keys to identification include the yellow top of the abdomen and the pale wing veins running through the dark basal wing spots.