GRAY PETALTAIL
Gray Petaltails are localized and somewhat uncommon dragonflies. They live near forest seeps. They fly primarily in late May and June (with stragglers into July).
I found this Gray Petaltail along the boardwalk at Glen Helen in Yellow Springs. Notice how wide apart the eyes are. The only other dragonflies in Ohio with widely-spaced eyes are members of the clubtail family. All other dragonflies in Ohio have eyes that meet at a point or seam.
Gray Petaltails are gentle giants. They often land on people, but they are completely harmless. The individual at left was photographed at Germantown MetroPark. He was hanging out on a fence rail in a parking lot, untroubled by the presence of people and cars.
Another Gray Petaltail at Germantown MetroPark. They will hang out all day on a nice sunny fence.
Gray Petaltails have a habit of perching flat against tree trunks. They are fairly well camouflaged on the tree bark, despite their large size.
Cedar Bog in Urbana is a good place to see Gray Petaltails, and there is also a good population at Germantown MetroPark. I have found a few Petaltails at Glen Helen in Yellow Springs, one at Spring Lakes Park in Bellbrook, and also one on the bike path near Travertine Fen (no access without permit).
