Russet-tipped Clubtail, Stylurus plagiatus, male at Violette's Lock, C+O Canal, MD, 6 SEP 01. This male was filmed as it perched on vegetation overhanging the canal. I aimed the video camera (20x) through a Questar telescope (50X) for a total magnification of about 1000x. This offers rare views of a species that normally is seen only while perched high in trees, or rapidly skimming over the water. A smaller scope, with a lower magnification, would have been better.
This species is rather scarce on the MD piedmont. They emerge from the adjacent Potomac River. Mating and egg-laying adults are often found on small tributary streams that flow into the Potomac. This lone male was patrolling the rather stagnant canal. It is not clear that they could breed successfully in this habitat.
Head-turning sequence. Note the head almost upside down.
