July 17 - 20, Carter and Unicoi Counties TN Sightings and photos of Ski-tipped Emerald (Somatochlora elongata) and Tiger Spiketail (Cordulegaster erronea) were highlights of a recent visit to upper east TN. In Unicoi Co. Tiger Spiketail was found at the same location previously sighted a couple of years ago, on the upper section of a branch of Rocky Fork Creek. This time a patrolling male was captured for detail photos and county record... although not on the first swing, I was distracted by Harvster butterflies landing on my arm! (also a county record at BAMONA). Amer. Rubyspots were abundant at the confluence of South Indian Creek and Nolichucky River, mostly fresh females perched out like males and feeding successfully on smaller prey. Also there an unidentified River Cruiser fly-by, well marked with yellow on the abdomen; Swift R.C. is already on county list, possibly that Macromia sp.. Most Ode sightings below were at Marlene's property in Carter county, around several ponds at aprox. 2200 ft. elevation. Ski-tipped Emerald was there at its "usual habitat", shaded small pools...it's amazing that odes can be so regular and habitat-specific, even though obviously it would be a different generation from year to year. Male emerald (2 max.) grudgingly sharing the area with Slaty Skimmer and Blue Dasher males. But Shadow Darner seemed to be able to displace the emerald; if on the same territory the emerald would occupy it early and the darner take over later. See emerald perched photo at: _http://www.pbase.com/rconnorsnaturephoto/image/145025424_ (http://www.pbase.com/rconnorsnaturephoto/image/145025424) List: Ebony Jewelwing American Rubyspot Slender Spreadwing - 1m, 1f Variable Dancer Powdered Dancer Familiar Bluet Skimming Bluet Orange Bluet Slender Bluet Fragile Forktail Eastern Forktail Gray Petaltail Shadow Darner Com. Green Darner Tiger Spiketail - 2 m. River Cruiser sp. - 1 Ski-tipped Emerald - 2 m. Banded Pennant Eastern Pondhawk Slaty Skimmer Widow Skimmer Blue Dasher Com Whitetail Autumn Meadowhawk - 2, fresh Richard Connors Nashville