Eastern Pondhawks

Walking through the South Woods at Ottawa NWR is always an interesting experience- but lately, the trails are bursting with Eastern Pondhawk Dragonflies!  

These mid-sized dragonflies are quite appropriately named- eating anything they can catch from butterflies and other dragonflies to those pesky deer and horse flies!

Young males and females will be green (below) and males will turn blue with age (left). These dragonflies are usually found in ponds and slow-moving rivers.  

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Dragonflies spend part of their life cycle underwater in a state called a dragonfly nymph.  They look really different from the dragonflies we see flying around! 

​Ottawa NWR is offering a series of summer camps this year for kids ages 8-12. Wetland creatures like these will be a topic to explore.  If you can't make it, we also offer equipment to borrow including sweep nets to catch butterflies & dragonflies.  Stop by or call the Visitor Center for more information (419-898-0014).

Youth Programs
Marsh Mondays: June 20 - August 15
Aqua Adventure Day Camp: June 21 - 24
Refuge Ranger Day Camp: July 5 - 8 and August 9 - 12
​Expedition Photography Day Camp: August 2 - 5 

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