Ivor Davies Park: Dragons & Damsels

As a new Molalla city councilor, I have found myself putting my time and energy into improving our parks. Ivor Davies Park has particular interest to me as a wonderful example of a nature park within a city. As we have worked to enhance this park, I have found myself spending my free time there trying to capture the nuances of this great place. I have decided to attempt to put together a photo catalog of the various Dragonflies and Damselflies that call Ivor Davies Park home. This not a complete representation as of yet, but I will update this page as time to shoot allows and good fortune to capture these creatures presents itself. I have done my best to identify these dragons and damsels, if you have a correction, please let me know. (I am also stuck on a few, help is much appreciated) All pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Striped Meadowhawk (Symetrum pallipes)

Spreadwing (Lestes ?)

Bluet (Enallagma ?)

Nighthawk on the Molalla

While out checking on some trail projects that our summer work crew has been working on, I stumbled upon a Nighthawk. At first I didn't realize it was a bird or an animal at all, it blended in so well. However, upon careful and more thorough examination, it turned out to be a Nighthawk. If you have had the good fortune of watching these guys in action as they devour insects in the twilight you know just how amazing these birds are. I kind of figured that this was a one time opportunity to get some close up photos so I took my time and crawled slowly closer to grab some shots of this very cooperative bird. Here are the results. Enjoy.