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Prince Baskettail
Epitheca [Epicordulia] princeps
The Prince Baskettail (Epitheca [Epicordulia] princeps) is a member of the Emerald (Corduliidae) family of dragonflies and occurs in the the eastern half of the United States. Most authorities place it in the genus Epitheca and subgenus Epicordulia. Its distinctive wing pattern and habit of perching with its abdomen partially curled upward are easy field identification characters to see. The individual shown in the first image was a digital shot in Austin, Travis Co., Texas in June, 2003, and was shot with a Canon EOS 10D and EF 70-200 mm F2.8L IS lens with a 2X extender and 550 EX flash.
The shot shown here was taken at the same time and with the same gear as the first shot.
The next two shots of Prince Baskettail were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in April, 2005, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.
The image shown here was taken in Austin, Texas, in April, 2008, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and a 2X extender.
The Prince Baskettail shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in March, 2009. This was not a very attractive perch for photos, but typical of the perches often selected by this species. This image was taken with the same gear described previously.
The next 4 images of Prince Baskettail were also taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in March, 2009, with the same photo gear.
The next 3 images show a Prince Baskettail which has just emerged from its exuviae. These 3 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 at Buescher State Park, Bastrop Co., Texas, in May, 2009. Note that the wings are mostly clear at this stage, but the characteristic spots will form soon.
The Prince Baskettail 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 two Prince Baskettails on the right were in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in June, 2010. These two individuals illustrate the variation that may be present in the size, shape and number of black markings in the wings.
This Prince Baskettail was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in June, 2010.
The next three shots of two Prince Baskettails hanging close to one another were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in March, 2012.
The next two shots were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in April, 2012.
Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princeps
female
Hornsby Bend,
Austin, Travis Co., Texas
27 September 2012
Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princeps
female
Southeast Metro Park,
Travis Co., Texas
13 April 2013
Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princeps
female
Hornsby Bend,
Austin, Travis Co., Texas
20 April 2013
Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princeps
male
Hornsby Bend,
Austin,
Travis Co., Texas
1 May 2014
Prince Baskettail
Epitheca princeps
male
Hornsby Bend,
Austin,
Travis Co., Texas
1 May 2014