Walker's Darner, Aeshna walkerii

A new species for me, my #37th confirmed South Bay odo (22 dragons, 15 damsels photo'd).

I've seen these guys off and on for years, but couldn't make a call -- they never rest!
Males work the dark banks of shady mountain streams, single-mindedly seeking females. They
check every crevice and behind every exposed tree root. About 50-100 meters of stream seems
to be a male's range; beyond that, he runs into a competitor at which point they both act
aggressive and then turn around -- very territorial behavior. A male will search the same
places maybe 100 times a day. I presume their eyes are adapted for working in dark places.

They rest occasionally, disappearing in tall trees to do it; I've not found them hanging low.
Early in the season you might find one patrolling a short sunny stretch of the creek -- that's
where I got this young one.

I have not seen them mating, resting or feeding, but I have seen a female come down from
the heights to do some ovipositing -- that occurs when males, for some reason, are absent.
These observations apply to this species in the upper Stevens Creek area.