The Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua) is a large dragonfly of the eastern half of the United States and parts of southeast Canada. In Texas, the species is quite uncommon and seldom encountered. The first 6 images on this page were taken in the Sam Houston National Forest, San Jacinto Co., Texas, in May, 2008, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash. Note the distinctive arrowhead shaped yellow markings on the dorsal surface of the abdomen. |
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In May of 2009, I was back in the same location where the previous images were taken and found another male Arrowhead Spiketail. The below images were taken with a Canon EOS 50D and an EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash. |
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This same male spiketail was briefly chased by another spiketail and upon returning to the area near me, the spiketail hovered for a prolonged period of time allowing me to get some flight shots. |
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The young male Arrowhead Spiketail shown here was found in the Angelina National Forest in Jasper Co., Texas, in May, 2009. |
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The next 6 images of a female Arrowhead Spiketail followed by 6 images of a male were all taken in the Ouachita National Forest, Montgomery Co., Arkansas, in June, 2009, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash. |
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The female Arrowhead Spiketail shown here was at Boykin Springs, Angelina National Forest, Jasper Co., Texas, in April, 2010. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash. |
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The male Arrowhead Spiketail shown here was at Buzzard Swamp, Allegheny National Forest, Forest Co., Pennsylvania, in June, 2010. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash. |
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The next two shots of a young male Arrowhead Spiketail were taken in the Ouachita National Forest, McCurtain Co., Oklahoma, in May, 2011, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash. |
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