Phuket Bound...

Location: Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary, Phuket

Date: 17 October, 2018

Habitat: Lowland forested streams/waterfalls

Well, I finally got round to visiting another place in the south, though this was a flying visit on a short trip. I had researched Phuket and, in all honesty, it didn't look up to scratch in terms of nature and wildlife... and it duly delivered. The only national park looked as though it had been raped by man and just didn't seem worthwhile. Therefore, the only real place that was "green" enough was Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary. However, being called a wildlife sanctuary was a very loose term. There were two waterfalls within the "sanctuary". The first one I visited was Ton Sai Waterfall (I got there early... before the attendants and sneaked in without paying). I arrived at 7.00am and, as soon as I arrived, it looked like someone's garden. It was totally manicured and most of the edges of the waterfall/stream were concreted to perfection in order to look nice and provide access -- and a deep pool for the locals to swim in. This may look good but was horrible for a dragon hunter like me or anyone who likes nature for that matter. Still, I was there and thought I may as well have a look. For the first 30 minutes or so, I didn't see any life whatsoever, though I put that down to being early. I was contemplating giving up but the desire to see something new was bubbling at the surface and being in a new location a new species was definitely possible. It seemed like my perseverance paid off. Deep under the trees and in some serious gloom, I saw Copera marginipes. At least it was the first damsel I saw. But, wait! Was it? I crept forward and, like everything else in the world, it just kept moving further and further up the slippery embankment and out of reach of my camera. Eventually, it gave up or got used to me and I closed in... one crappy shot later I knew it was something new! However, getting anything like a decent shot was almost impossible! After a lot of work, I managed to get a few decent shots (considering the conditions) and it turns out to be Drepanosicta species, which, according to Noppadon Makbun could possibly Drepanosicta khaochongensis, a species that seems quite common in the west and the south--though there is more work to be done on the genus! I even managed to get a glimpse of the female, though not for long! Following this, my confidence grew, and I climbed up the waterfall, though I saw hardly anything at all, just a few relatively common species, including Prodasineura laidlawii and Tetrathemis irregularis hyalina. Worse still, back at the bottom kids were now swimming in the pool and throwing stones at me. Great place. It was time to move on. So, good start but then nothing of note. Therefore, I decided to make the short trip to the other waterfall, Bang Pae Waterfall. As soon as I arrived, I felt more at home. There was a large lake at the entrance where I saw numerous common species as well as Pseudagrion williamsonii, which was very common there, though too deep down to get a decent photo. At the based of the stream, there was a lot of scrub and I managed to add a solitary male Echo modesta, which I have only seen for the second time. I also saw 2-3 male Coeliccia albicauda only for the second time but that was about it... though I feel there is more there. Sadly, this is when the heavens opened and put an end to an already disappointing day.

So, not the best, but at least I have one more addition to my list and I managed to pick up a few nice shots along the way. However, would I recommend visiting there? Probably not, unless you have nowhere ese to go! I would be tempted to spend the extra hour and nip over to the mainland... there is a lot more potential around there.

Best photos of the day:

Echo modesta, male... still one of my favourites (though the female annoys me now as I still haven't seen her).

 Prodasineura laidlawii, male... easily the most common species in the sanctuary

Coeliccia albicauda, male... really tough to photograph in the gloom. Pretty much nailed it with this shot, though. 

Tetrathemis irregularis hyalina, female... why do I only see the female!?!

Heliocypha biforata, female... very common everywhere but she just sat up nicely! 

And the beacon in the gloom... Drepanosicta species... Drepanosicta khaochongensis?

Next Up: My trip to Khao Yai (and another interesting species or two!)

A Return to Nam Nao...

Location: Nam Nao National Park, Petchabun

Date: Wednesday 10th October, 2018

Habitat: Forested ponds

Well, it has been a while, but my brother and I decided to return to one of our old haunts in the shape of Nam Nao National Park. Paul was searching for birds and me dragons, though neither of us expected much in terms of finding something new. Still, armed with my new 100mm L macro lens (thanks, our Paul!), I was champing at the bit to get out there and give it a whirl. We set off at 4 am and decided to tackle the HQ first, followed by the 4 kms trail and finally the 14 kms trail. At the HQ, it was seriously quiet on my part, though not surprising as it was so early. However, there were a number of moths, cicadas and other bits trying thaw out in the early morning light. Following the HQ that doesn't seem the same nowadays since the rangers have "cleaned it up" for tourists. Still, we moved on to the 4 kms trail and were even given the key to open the gate so we could drive down which was cool and reduced the worry of massive elephants getting us. We stopped off all the way down stopping at little ponds and marshy areas. However, it was seriously quiet with only a few common species dotted around. We hit the pond at the bottom and it was soooo quiet. I managed to spot a few teneral Indolestes anomalus flitting from leaf to leaf. However, the most impressive sighting was spotting a solitary male Vestalaria smaragdina smaragdina part way back up the trail. It seemed to be lost as I am unaware of any stream close by and the altitude is around 900 a.s.l. so I was very surprised to see it there. More searching is needed there, me thinks! After a quick search we headed to the main trail that goes deep into the forest and actually into Chaiyphum to Phu Khieo on the other side (though it gets a little tricky beyond the standard 14 kms trail. I stopped at the hidden pond/trickle that is mostly hidden away by tree cover and decided to take a look. I had spotted a few good species there before but thought it was too late in the year to see anything. I saw a male Coeliccia didyma straight away. Then, after a little more searching, I saw two male Prodasineura auricolor, which I hadn't seen for a while, but that was it so we moved on. I tried to stop at as many different ponds as I could, many of which I hadn't spotted before (I sat on top of the ice box in the back and kept my eyes peeled. Sadly, most of the ponds only threw up species I see regularly. Lestes elatus, Agriocnemis approximans, and Ceriagrion azureum, to name a few. Then, I saw a small pond a bit deeper and banged on the side of the truck for my brother to stop.I worked my way over and could see that it was just a standard pond. There was a solitary Pantala flavescens patrolling the pond and a few common species hanging around. The opposite side of the pond was in the shade and looked devoid of life. However, just as I was about to leave a large dragonfly flew out of the shade and was instantly attacked by ALL the males. It quickly retreated to the same place and was able to approach it and get in a few decent photos though was hampered by the sun blasting through the bush where it was perched. It turned out to be the rather rare (for Thailand, at least) Polycanthagyna ornithocephala -- and number 24 for my personal records this season! So, a great day after all, which was improved right at the death while waiting for my brother, Paul. As I sat there, two tiny mouse deer tip-toed out from the gloom and made their way across the path... I have never seen them before and they were simply stunning! I only managed to get a terribly blurred shot so won't add one.. but hope to see them again in the future!

My best photos of the day (in no particular order):

Prodasineura auricolor, male close-up...

...and full shot.

Another close-up of another cool species in the shape of a male Ceriagrion azureum.

All that glistens isn't gold... Agriocnemis approximans, male still fast asleep early morning. 

 A young Lestes elatus, female

A solitary male Coeliccia didyma was spotted.

Introducing Vestalaria smaragdina smaragdina to Nam Nao and the entire range for that matter... including Phu Khieo on the other side!

But the highlight of my day coming the shape of Polycanthagyna ornithocephala.

I took lots of photos of other bugs early on before the dragons got going so will add just a few (and don't really know what species they are yet... any takers on ID?)

I visited Phuket recently and managed to get out for the day so will add that ASAP, but off to Khao Yai first! Watch this space!

215: Indaeschna ornithocephala

Number: 215 / Family: Aeschnidae / Genus: Indaeschna

Species: Indaeschna ornithocephala / Beak-tailed Hawker

Habitat: Forested Ponds

Province(s) seen (by me): Petchabun, Nakhon Nayok

In flight: October / Sightings: Rare 

Species easily confused with: All Indaeschna Species

I recently visited Nam Nao NP in Petchabun for the first time in over two years. However, I have kind of done the main bits to death, as too has my brother Paul (for birds). Therefore, we decided to search a little deeper and try to find a few more areas. Though limited on where to visit at the park, there were numerous ponds and ditches along the 14 kms trail to the ranger station I hadn't visited before (I used to just drive quickly along the trail as it seemed to by dry and devoid of life all the way). Anyway, at one small pond that was part exposed to baking heat and the other part in shade, it looked like a typical pond and didn't seem to offer much. However, I suddenly noticed a large dragonfly fly out from the shaded area and into the bright sunshine where it was instantly attacked by several smaller dragonflies. Amazingly, it returned to the same shaded area and I was able to creep across the pond and get in some shots pretty easily, though I was hampered by the sun blasting through the trees making photograhpy difficult. Once I had got enough shots, I wasn't sure if it was a new species or not. It was likely to be Indaeschna erythromelas as I had once seen it at Phu Khieo, which is not too far away. Anyway, upon processing the photos I noticed that it had a blue head instead of green and some of the markings were slightly different, though I just put it all down to variation. Anyway, upon posting it on the Facebook dragonfly group, Noppadon Makbun thought it was actually a different species, Indaeschna ornithocephala, a species that had only been recorded from one location in Kanchanaburi back in 2000. Commonly known as the Beak-tailed Hawker, Noppadon's suspicion was confirmed by Wen-Chi Yeh. So, amazingly, it turns out to be a rather rare and special species indeed! I hope to return soon and search for the female as it looks so cool!

The Male

They don't come much more stunning than this. This species can be separated from the other two known in Thailand due to its blue head.

Now in hand (I literally picked it up)...

The Appendages

Rather interesting appendages, I think.

Many thanks to Noppadon Makbun for correcting my initial ID and Wen-Chi Yeh for the confirmation.

...and Then My Brilliant Season Comes Crashing Back Down to Earth

Location: Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Chaiyaphum

Date: Friday 27th July, 2018

Habitat: Forested ponds/swamp and marshy areas

Well, it had to come to an end. My amazing season of seeing new species for my records (22 so far) had to come to an end... and it did... with a bump! Like the previous week, it had been pouring down all week but I was determined to see L. elegantissima again, get a few improved shots and even finally catch the 2-3 species I see almost every time I visit the small streams but they are always whizzing past me and so a net is required (one of which I am sure is Macromidia genialis shanensis, but need to catch one with a net to confirm -- and get shots, of course). But the weather, and the dragonflies, had other ideas. It was pouring with rain and all the streams/river were heavily swollen and not really worth investigating (seriously dark and potentially dangerous). So, I visited the ponds in the hope to see something... but hardly anything was showing. Even the common species had other ideas. There were a few brighter moments in terms of the weather, but was mostly rain. However, there was a little light at the end of the tunnel in the shape of Dysphaea gloriosa, female... my first sighting of a female! Though it was great to see, it was high up on a wire and put my 400mm lens to the test! Other than that, it was just common species and I didn't even take that many. 

So, all good things come to an end... now I have to get back out there and start again. Hopefully, I can see a few more new species before the season is out!

My best photos of the day:

Orolestes octomaculata, hyaline male with a crooked abdomen... I have seen a few hyaline males this season.

Neurothemis fulvia, male

Cratillia lineata calverti, old female

Orthetrum glaucum, male

Trithemis aurora, male (can't remember the last time I photographed this species)

A very hungry female Acisoma panorpoides

Mr Lestes elatus

... Mrs Lestes elatus

Aciagrion hisopa, female... my fist sighting for some time.

Not the best photo in the world, but my first sighting of Orthetrum luzonicum copula

And my (sort of) highlight of the day... Mrs Dysphaea gloriosa toughing it out high up in the rain.

...and a little closer

A few oddities...

Macracantha arcuata... is there a better spider than this? It is so cool!

Any ideas on ID of this cicada?... it was about 2 inches in size at a swampy area

... and a beautiful leafhopper Thagria sp. (ID by Marcus Ng.)

...finally and interesting sign has popped up. This is now located where two motorbikes have been parked every time I have visited the place. I can't read it, but pretty much seems to be about big bears! Any translators out there?

214: Tetrathemis hyalina Kirby, 1889

Number: 214 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Tetrathemis

Species: Tetrathemis hyalina / Elf

Habitat: Forested Swampy Ponds

Provinces sighted: Chantaburi, Phuket, Narathiwat

Sightings: Uncommon

In flight (that I have seen): July-August

Species easily confused with: Tetrathemis platyptera

Well, I think I can finally put this species into the 'seen' bank. Going all the way back to 2011, I saw what I thought was Tetrathemis hyalina. However, I think I actually got the two species (T. platyptera) as they were living side by side. In fact, I was so confused that I actually decided to not count it as a record, especially as I didn't think it could be found as high up as Khao Yai. That is until I saw it again seven years later in Chantaburi. Now, I am convinced it is in fact the same species and I should have had more faith in Noppadon's ID (he is never wrong haha).

It is very similar in appearance to its common cousin but there are subtle differences. The easy way to separate them is through the almost clear (or hyaline) wings as well as the reduced size of the markings on the abdomen of the Elf. Since then, I have managed to spot a female in Phuket and also a small number of males at a swampy pond in Narathiwat... though they were a bugger to get anywhere near.

The Male

Super skittish and took me an age to get these (very happy with them). The abdomen of the male is much slimmer than that of the common species, which is the easiest way to split them. Of course, the lack of enfumed wings is also a feature, though not all T. platyptera do have yellowish wing bases, so it isn't a guarantee.

The Female

Here is the female from Chantaburi.

I am pretty sure that this is also a female of this species from Phuket (though it has puffed out its abdomen), but has significantly reduced markings along the abdomen. Let me know if I am wrong.

213: Lyriothemis elegantissima Selys, 1883

Number: 213 / Family: Libellulidae / Genus: Lyriothemis

Species: Lyriothemis elegantissima / Elegant Wide-bellied Dragonfly*

Provinces sighted: Chaiyaphum

Sightings (by me): Rare

In flight: July-August

Species easily confused with: Lyriothemis sp.; Lyriothemis sp. 2

*The only common name I could find was 'Forest Chaser' but with so many common names for this genus and none really reflecting it well, I decided to name all species in the genus to "Wide-bellied Dragonflies'. Also, I kept the the descriptive part as 'Elegant' taken from the species name, so the Elegant Wide-bellied Dragonfly. 

Well, I had seen this species on numerous occasions... or so I thought. I have come across a number of similar-looking red Lyriothemis species. However, I recently saw the true form of Lyriothemis elegantissima, commonly known as the Forest Chaser. In fact, I think I only saw it because the more common Lyriothemis species (yet to be described) was absent. Maybe I have noticed it before but overlooked it! Similar to the others in many ways but it has heavy black markings on the thorax and on the end segments of the abdomen. The key, however, seems to be the genitalia. It is possible that the other two Lyriothemis species are, in fact, the same species but they are most certainly not L. elegantissima! It seems to prefer heaily tree-lined swampy areas. Though I only managed to get records shots of it. I returned the following week and managed to get much better shots of the male in the gloom and I have since captured excellent photos of the female.

The Male

The male is stunning with its incredibly broad abdomen that is black with prominent yellow spots and bright red dorsally, as well as dirty yellow stripes with a dusting of brown on a black thorax.  Note the size of the genitalia.

The Female

Upon return, looking for the male once more, I managed to spot a female at the exact location and was happy to let me fire away!