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Mocha Emerald
Somatochlora linearis
The Mocha Emerald (Somatochlora linearis) is fairly widespread over the eastern U.S. westward to parts of east and central Texas. Like other members of its genus, this species can sometimes be found patrolling along dirt roads within forests, especially in the morning or evening rather than in the heat of the day. The first three shots at right show male (first) and female (next 2 shots) Mocha Emeralds, which had been netted. These three hand-held shots were taken near the historic village of Palo Alto, Clay County, Mississippi, in July 2005, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 580 flash.
This shot, probably a teneral individual, shows a Mocha Emerald in the Sam Houston National Forest, San Jacinto Co., Texas, in May, 2004.
The next 2 shots of a female Mocha Emerald were taken near Palo Alto, Clay Co., Mississippi, in July, 2010. These were both posed.
The Mocha Emeralds in the next four images were found along a dry creek bed near the Mountain Fork River, in McCurtain Co., Oklahoma, in July, 2011. It was an extremely hot day and the emeralds were found roosting in shaded areas and tree roots in this dry creek bed. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.