Photos / Sounds

What

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

Observer

eraskin

Date

July 2019

Description

not every day that I see a bird's tongue

Photos / Sounds

What

Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger)

Observer

cristianriquelme

Date

December 13, 2019 12:29 PM -03

Photos / Sounds

What

Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)

Observer

briangooding

Date

June 3, 2017 12:37 PM CDT

Description

Male Pachydiplax longipennis attempting to wipe rain from eyes

I went out the other day as it was about to rain to see if I could follow some dragonflies and find the best types of places they hole-up when it rains.

I got there a little too late and the rain was coming down pretty heavily so I just hung out under some tree cover and looked around.

As I moved from one covered spot to another I saw this lone Blue Dasher clinging to a branch, sitting there as it rained. He kept trying to wipe the large water droplet that had accumulated near the vertex but he was unable to dislodge it.

I don't know what it is like to see like a dragonfly but I imagine the water must distort the vision quite a bit. As well it could possibly have been a grooming response (just as if other detritus where resting on eyes) and not been related to the fact that the water may distort vision.

Either way, kind of funny to watch.