#common pondhawk

“Pondhawk” is an objectively perfect name for such a creature

These skimmers are commonly found near ponds and other slow-moving bodies of water in central and eastern North America and parts of Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. They are aggressive predators, hunting insects, such as lacewings and large dragonflies on the wing. While young, they hunt away from the water, but after reaching breeding age they return to ponds, where males defend mating territories. Females lay their eggs on floating mats of algae while males fly nearby to defend them.

Female eastern pondhawk eating a species of skipper butterfly.

Female eastern pondhawk snacking on a butterfly.

Female eastern pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis).  Reading up on the kind of prey that like, it’s not hard to understand why she was hanging in this area:  there were many mosquitoes and damselflies flying nearby.  It was shocking for me to see one in a wooded area.  I’m used to pondhawks hanging around in open fields.

Common Pondhawk

Common Pondhawk

Eastern Pondhawk aka Common Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)