The fifth annual "Dragonfly Festival" 

was held by the Valley Nature Center May 14 - 16, 2004

and we are proud to report that it was our biggest and most successful festival yet. 

Schedule of Events for 2004

Bob Behrstock - Dragonflies 101.

This was a session for the beginner odonata fan to learn how to id dragonflies and damselflies and their habitat, what makes them so unique and why they are so fascinating.

Field Trips (Sat and Sun)

Bob Behrstock & Dr. John C. Abbott.

Destinations: Weslaco Water Plant, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Anzalduas State Park, Edinburg Scenic Wetlands, Llano Grande State Park

Dr. Terry Fuller - Damselflies of the Rio Grande Valley

This session highlighted the different damselfly species in the Valley through an excellent PowerPoint presentation focusing on how to id them and where to find these smaller odonates.

Beginners Dragonfly Walks at the VNC

Dr. John C.  Abbott - Dragonflies 201

Why are there are more dragonflies and damselflies in Texas than in any other state?   Also: hotspots of odonata diversity in Texas including a look at how the Rio Grande Valley fauna compares to other parts of the state.

Banquet & Keynote Speech at Golden Raintree Gardens Dr. Forrest L. Mitchell - “Dragonflies from Mythical to Digital”

Dr. Mitchell tookus from pre-history to modern day dragonflies.

Bob Behrstock - Dragonflies 202  "An Introduction to Odonate Behavior"

The basics of odonate behavior, allowing beginners to interpret many of the activities they observe while in the field. Slides of Texas species  used to illustrate the various topics.

Kathy Biggs - “An Introduction to the
Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Pacific Coast”

This session will be on how Texan dragonflies like it hot, but along the Pacific Coast some dragonflies even seem to prefer the more moderate temperatures. Kathy will introduce us to these 'cool' bugs and undoubtedly try to lure us there so that we may try out our dragonfly identification skills in her 'home base.'
 We are proud of and thankful for the wonderful sponsors who supported this event:

 

"Great Pondhawk" Sponsors

 

 

"Roseate Skimmer" Sponsors "Slough Amberwing" Sponsors

Alamo Inn & Suites
Boggus Ford
Boultinghouse Simpson Architects
Fairfield Inn & Suites-Weslaco
Max Fine Furniture

Alamo Bank
Brunton Optics
Charles F. Mild, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I.
Eagle Optics
Elsa State Bank
Garcia & Pena, CPA’s
IBC Bank
Sandra Esquivel, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Robert C. Manning, D.D.S.

Robert McAllen Insurance