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Turquoise-tipped Darner
Rhionaeschna psilus
The Turquoise-tipped Darner (Rhionaeschna psilus) was thought to be a fairly rare visitor to Texas until 2004. Prior to 2005, it was not known to breed in the U.S. On 16 November 2003, Steve Bentsen and I found a single (apparently young) Turquoise-tipped Darner foraging over an area of south Texas brushland in central Starr County, Texas. There was no water in the area, but the ground was muddy from recent rains. The darner did not land even though we watched it foraging for about 10 minutes. Finally it was netted for in-hand photos. The first two shots here were digital captures taken in with a Canon EOS 10D and EF 70-200 mm F2.8 L IS lens with and 550 EX flash. These photos represent the first record for Starr County and one of relatively few records for the state.
In late May, 2004, Dan Hardy found two Turquoise-tipped Darners in Austin, Travis Co., Texas. Dan took me to the location where I was able to get several shots of a beautiful adult.
In May 2005, Dan Hardy again found more Turquoise-tipped Darners at the same site in Austin. Next will be several shots taken in early June, 2005. All these images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 580 flash.
This shot shows a male Turquoise-tipped Darner perched just below a Great Spreadwing.
 
The Turquoise-tipped Darner in the next three shots was at Bentsen State Park, Hidalgo Co., Texas, in June, 2008. These images were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender with flash.
Turquoise-tipped Darner
Rhionaeschna psilus
male
Santa Ana N.W.R.,
Hidalgo Co., Texas
6 November 2015
Turquoise-tipped Darner
Rhionaeschna psilus
male
National Butterfly Center,
Mission,
Hidalgo Co., Texas
5 July 2017
Turquoise-tipped Darner
Rhionaeschna psilus
male
National Butterfly Center,
Mission,
Hidalgo Co., Texas
5 July 2017