Spreadwing on horsetail by PD

August Wings

Odonates | Dragonflies & Damselflies

Every season is a great time to watch birds, but many birdwatchers notice that the pace changes after spring migration and the summer heat arrives. Once the breeding season ends, birds are no longer defending territories, so they sing less frequently and are often less conspicuous. Rather than putting away your binoculars, consider turning your attention to another group of fascinating flyers, dragonflies and damselflies.

Together, these insects belong to the order Odonata, and watching them is often called odonating. Like birdwatching, odonating entails observing behavior, identifying species, and appreciating the outdoors. Their brilliant colors, intricate wing patterns, and fascinating behaviors make them rewarding subjects for observation and photography. The presence of odonates is a sign of a healthy environment as they spend most of their lives underwater as young nymphs requiring clean water to survive. They also help keep insect populations in check and provide food for birds, fish, frogs, and other wildlife. When you see lots of dragonflies and damselflies, it's usually a sign that the ecosystem is thriving.

Getting started is easy. Visit the Rio Grande Nature Center on a warm, sunny day when dragonflies are most active. Bring your binoculars, a camera or smartphone for photos, and a field guide or the iNaturalist app to help identify what you find. Before long, you'll begin recognizing the differences between skimmers, darners, clubtails, spreadwings, and other fascinating species found throughout New Mexico.

On July 25, we hosted a dragonfly outing at the Rio Grande Nature Center led by Jim Stuart. It was a fantastic opportunity to explore the fascinating world of dragonflies and damselflies, and participants learned so much from Jim's knowledge and experience. We'd like to share some of the highlights and interesting facts we learned during the outing so you can discover these amazing insects, too. We created a section on our website dedicated to Odonates. gathering useful links if you care to learn more about these winged wonders. There's also a link for Jim's iNaturalist's page, where you can explore some of species he discussed.

One of the best tools for observing dragonflies is a quality pair of binoculars. Our line of ZEISS binoculars, with their exceptional close-focus capabilities, are ideal for insect watching. Models like the ZEISS SFL and Conquest HDX allow you to focus on subjects just a few feet away. Close-focus capability is a powerful way to experience intricate wing venation, brilliant eye color, and tiny field marks that are impossible to appreciate with the naked eye. Close-focus performance makes it easy to switch from watching a soaring hawk to examining a damselfly perched on a stalk of horse tail seamlessly. Stop by and try a pair. We love to talk optics.

Birdwatching and odonating complement each other beautifully! While you're searching for dragonflies, you'll likely encounter swallows, phoebes and other awesome birds. The habitats they share are full of life, offering a chance to observe many different species interacting in the same ecosystem. This summer when the birds are quieter, don't put your binoculars away. Instead, head to the river or nearest pond and discover the colorful, fast-flying world of dragonflies and damselflies. You may find that exploring odonates adds a whole new dimension to your outdoor adventures and deepens your appreciation for the habitats that support all kinds of wildlife.

We hope you enjoy our offerings. 

Thank you,

PD St. Clair

Marketing Team Member
WBU Albuquerque Eastside & WBU Santa Fe