Other Flying Critters

Carolina Saddlebags

As the last of the spring migrants leave Central Park or make their nests there, the park settles into its summer mode. No longer does one run into hordes of birdwatchers from all over the world at every turn of every path in the Ramble. Once again the park belongs to its regular nature community [as it seems to be called], the stalwarts who come not only during the peak birding seasons but all year long.

Now attention begins to turn to other classes besides the Avian one. Perhaps because birders are somehow programmed to focus on flying things, the class of Insects becomes a major focus of attention. Among the insects, two orders have large followings in Central Park, the Lepidoptera [butterflies and moths] and the Odonata [the dragonflies and damselflies].

Turtle Pond is a major spot for Dragon- and Damselfly study, with Nick Wagerik often available as local guru. Turtle Pond is where Lloyd Spitalnik, one of those stalwarts I described above, took the stunning photograph of a common dragonfly called a Carolina Saddlebags. Lloyd's in charge of the bird-feeding station during the cold months. In recent years his interest has turned to photography, and as the photo above attests, he has become an extremely good nature photographer. Below is a link to his website, where you can see many more great pictures of birds, insects, and other creatures.

Http://www.Lloyd22.com