A Hunt for Dragons and Damsels
Dragonflies and Damselflies are dainty, but deadly, as they dart over ponds, rivers and meadows on the hunt for prey. Join Leslie Larson and Ann Cooper for this field class to hunt for Dragons and Damsels in our area. We will search for flashy insects like Calico Pennants, Wandering Gliders, and Vivid Dancers, to name a few of the 76 known species in Boulder County. We will learn about their nymph life as fierce aquatic predators, tips on identification, and photographing these beautiful creatures. Both Leslie and Ann take beautiful photos of dragonflies and damselflies and will offer photography tips for digitally capturing these jumpy fliers.
Bring to the Class: A camera, binoculars (optional), sun protection and bug protection, good walking shoes, and guides or keys to dragonflies and damselflies you might want to use, and your own snacks and water. Class registrants will receive information on the location for the field class.
Ann has been a volunteer naturalist and teacher on the trail with Boulder County Parks and Open Space for more than forty years. She has monitored dragonfly populations at various county wetlands since 2010. Her book, Dragonflies Q&A Guide: Fascinating Facts About Their Life in the Wild, published by Stackpole Books, stemmed from her curiosity about all things dragonfly as she did these surveys. Ann’s field guide book, Dragonflies of the Colorado Front Range, published by Boulder County Nature Association, is an easy guide to use in learning about these flashy insects.
Leslie has been a volunteer naturalist with Boulder County Parks and Open Space for thirteen years and has lived on her own personal nature preserve in the wilds of the foothills for much longer than that. Living in this location has given her the good fortune and many opportunities to observe all sorts of wildlife, including dragonflies and damselflies. “With dragonflies (known as Odes), once you learn the littlest bit about them, they are so fascinating that it’s hard to ignore them.” With Ode fanatics like Leslie and Ann as mentors, you will learn about the Odes in the area, and perhaps become a lifelong addict too. Both Ann and Leslie have taught other BCNA classes.
JOIN US!
Field Class: Saturday, July 16, 10:00 am – 12 noon. Longmont area
Tuition: $20 plus an optional add on of $15 for a copy of the field guide Dragonflies of the Colorado Front Range by Ann Cooper, published by BCNA. Limited to 12 participants.
Register on Eventbrite.
Boulder County Nature Association
P.O. Box 493, Boulder, CO 80306 | Contact Us