Plains Clubtail (Gomphus externus)

Plains Clubtail
Gomphus externus

The Plains Clubtail (Gomphus externus) is a widespread dragonfly of the mid west. It occurs from Utah east to Ohio and Kentucky and from parts of southern Canada to Texas. The first five shots on this page were digital captures with a Canon 10D and EF 70-200 F/2.8 L IS lens and 2X extender and 550 EX flash in Austin, Travis Co., Texas in late March, 2004. The first two shots show different individuals. The tan-eyed individual in the 2nd shot is apparently younger than the more gray-blue eyed individual in the first image.

The next two shots show a very teneral individual.


This shot of a pair in copula, was taken at the same location as the preceding images and with the same equipment in early April, 2004.
The next three shots shown here were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in April, 2007. These images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.


The pair of Plains Clubtails in copula shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in April, 2008. This image was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.
This pair of Plains Clubtails was also in Austin in April, 2008 and was shot with the same gear.

The female Plains Clubtail shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in late March, 2009. This image was taken with the same gear described previously.
The image of the female Plains Clubtail shown here as well as the pair in copula next, were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in early April, 2009. A Canon 50D and EF 70-200mm F/2.8 L IS lens and 2X extender was used for these shots.

The male Plains Clubtail shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in March, 2010 and was photographed with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.
The next 2 images show a male Plains Clubtail feeding on a Common Streaky-Skipper in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in April, 2010. The same photo gear as described previously was used for these 2 shots.

The male Plains Clubtail shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in April, 2010. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.
The next two shots of a pair of Plains Clubtails in copula were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in May, 2010. The female had apparently caught a butterfly, a Tawny Emperor, and then was grabbed by the male. I think the female was more interested in her butterfly meal than the male, but an interesting example of multi-tasking none-the-less!

The next four shots of Plains Clubtails were taken in Bastrop State Park, Bastrop Co., Texas, in March, 2011, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash. The first two shots are both males.

A female Plains Clubtail is on the right.
A dorsal view of a male Plains Clubtail.
The female Plains Clubtail on the right was in Austin, Travos Co., Texas, in March, 2012.
The male Plains Clubtail on the right was in Austin, Travos Co., Texas, in April, 2012.
Plains Clubtail Gomphus externus female Southeast Metro Park, Travis Co., Texas 17 February 2013
Plains Clubtail Gomphus externus male Southeast Metro Park, Travis Co., Texas 1 March 2013