A Few Dragonflies of Algonquin Park (trip post 3)

Looking for dragonflies along Cache Lake (Tim Snieder)

I saw lots of dragonflies, but mainly common ones while at Algonquin. The most comon seemed to be Yellow-legged Meadowhawk. Others, I was not sure of species.

Not sure of this species, but likely a meadowhawk

I did see a few Calico Pennants. This female was along a meadow on Big Pines Trail

I met up with Tim Snieder, who is working at Algonquin this summer. We looked for dragonflies at Cache Lake along the old railroad. We found a Black-shouldered Spinyleg which is quite common there.


Meadowhawks were the most common. There are several species. The White-faced was rather abundant as well.

White-faced Meadowhawk

There were damselflies too. This one in the photo is likely an Emerald Spreadwing. Some are difficult to ID due to similarites and you have to look at genitalia.

I saw lots of common dragonfly species, too numerous to mention here. However, at one point I think I saw a Slaty Skimmer which is rather uncommon in Algonquin.

I found the new Field Guide to The Dragonflies and Damselflies of Algonquin Park handy. It is a new book that came out last fall and is an excellent reference. It also covers most of the other species found in Ontario, so is useful anywhere.