 Swamp Darner. photo: xpda When we think of dragonflies, we often picture dazzling aerobatics over still water or a flash of iridescent wings in the sun. But one of the most fascinating—and diverse—aspects of their life cycle happens before the nymphs ever take to the skies: egg-laying, or oviposition. And nowhere is the range of reproductive strategies more vividly on display than at the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. From ancient methods to remarkable modern adaptations, female dragonflies here demonstrate a stunning variety of ways to give the next generation a chance at life. Let's take a closer look at three incredible examples: 1. The Swamp Darner: A Living Plant as a Nursery One of the refuge’s most charismatic species, the Swamp Darner (Epiaeschna heros) looks like something out of prehistory—and in many ways, it is. When it comes time to lay eggs, the female uses her sturdy ovipositor like a tiny scalpel, slicing directly into the living stems of plants such as buttonbush and depositing her eggs deep inside. This strategy, considered one of the most primitive forms of oviposition among dragonflies, protects the eggs from desiccation, predators, and fluctuations in water level. It also allows the larvae to hatch directly into a secure, moist environment. Occasionally, a female darner mistakenly attempts to “oviposit” on a hiker’s arm or leg–this is harmless, but can be alarming. 2. The Wandering Glider: Master of the Ephemeral At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Wandering Glider (Pantala flavescens), sometimes called the “rainpool glider.” These delicate, golden-bodied dragonflies are true global travelers—capable of migrating across oceans—and they’ve adapted to take full advantage of temporary water bodies.  Wandering Glider. photo: Basile Morin Females drift effortlessly across the landscape, dipping their abdomens into shallow, ephemeral ponds created by rain. Rather than laying a whole clutch in one spot, they deposit a few eggs at a time—a strategy that spreads risk and increases the odds of survival in unpredictable environments. This approach is seen as one of the most advanced forms of egg-laying, reflecting millions of years of adaptation to dynamic coastlines. The Lower Suwannee’s seasonal wetlands are critical to this species, and lucky observers might witness a glider sowing the seeds of the next generation across a shimmering rainpool after a summer storm. 3. The Seaside Dragonlet: Life Begins in Saltwater Perhaps the most extreme and surprising oviposition strategy on the Refuge belongs to the Seaside Dragonlet (Erythrodiplax berenice), the only North American dragonfly known to lay its eggs in saltwater.  Seaside Dragonlet. photo: Andrew Cannizzaro This beautiful, often-overlooked species thrives in coastal marshes, salt flats, and brackish ponds—places where few other dragonflies dare to venture. Here, females deposit eggs directly into saline waters, and the larvae somehow manage to survive and thrive in conditions that would kill most others.
The males, striking in their velvety ebony hues, are often seen perching low in the salt marsh, guarding territories and potential mates. The ability of this species to complete its life cycle in saltwater is not only unique—it’s a powerful reminder of the resilience and adaptability of wildlife in the face of environmental extremes. Nature’s Ingenuity On Display The range of oviposition strategies among dragonflies at the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge—from slicing into stems to sprinkling eggs across miles of ponds, to braving saltwater—offers a window into the evolutionary creativity of life. Each strategy reflects a delicate balance between risk and reward, predator and prey, permanence and change. And each dragonfly, in her own way, is helping to ensure the survival of a lineage that has danced through the air for more than 300 million years. So next time you're walking through the Refuge and see a glint of wings or a flicker near the water’s edge, take a moment to appreciate not just the beauty of the dragonfly—but the remarkable story she carries in every egg she lays. August marks a crucial time for the sea turtles that share Florida's beautiful coastline. Female turtles, driven by an ancient instinct, emerge from the surf to lay their eggs, a tireless act that ensures the continuation of their species. While a single female can lay hundreds of eggs, the journey from nest to maturity is fraught with peril, making human intervention and awareness more critical than ever. A Perilous Beginning The survival rate of sea turtle hatchlings is astonishingly low. From the moment they are laid, the eggs face threats from natural predators such as raccoons, birds, and other opportunistic scavengers. Even after a successful hatching, the vulnerable hatchlings face a gauntlet of dangers on their short crawl to the sea, where they will then encounter aquatic predators. The unfortunate reality is that only a tiny fraction of a nest's occupants will survive to adulthood.  Our Role in Conservation As visitors to these vital nesting grounds, we have a profound responsibility to protect these fragile creatures. Here's how you can help:
Nesting and Hatching Facts Sea turtle eggs typically incubate for a period of 45 to 70 days before hatching. The length of this period can vary depending on the species of turtle and the temperature of the sand. Cooler temperatures generally result in a longer incubation period, while warmer temperatures can shorten it. Additionally, the temperature of the sand determines the sex of the hatchlings; warmer nests produce more females, while cooler nests produce more males.  Photo credit University of Florida News. By following these simple guidelines, we can all play a significant role in boosting the chances of these incredible animals. Protecting the nests today ensures that future generations will continue to witness the awe-inspiring sight of sea turtles returning to our shores. We will miss getting news from and about our Swallow-tailed Kite, Suwannee 22. She was tagged in the spring three years ago on the Lower Suwannee NWR by the Avian Research and Conservation Institute team with help from the Refuge staff. She was our second Kite, the successor to Suwannee, tagged in 2019, and predecessor to Suwannee Scout who has just been tagged.
We have to hope that Suwannee 22 has outlived her tracker's battery, but we won't get more news of her. The tracker is no longer working. She has been a hearty adventurer.
Farewell to our adventurer. Thanks for calling home and sharing your travels with us all these years.
A New Chapter in Swallow-tailed Kite Conservation In a beautiful culmination of years of conservation and community collaboration, a new Swallow-tailed Kite named Suwannee Scout now soars over the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge — her journey tracked by scientists, students, and bird lovers alike. A Legacy of Tracking and Conservation The story began in 2019 when the Avian Research and Conservation Institute (ARCI) partnered with the Friends of the Lower Suwannee and Cedar Keys Refuges to track Swallow-tailed Kites, once widespread across the Mississippi Valley but now limited to a fraction of their former range. Using satellite telemetry, researchers monitored the incredible 10,000-mile migration journey of these birds to Brazil and back. The first bird, affectionately named Suwannee, became a Refuge icon. Even after its transmitter was believed to be defunct, it miraculously “called home” again in 2022. By then, a second bird — Suwannee 22 — had joined the research effort, outfitted with a tracker sponsored by Friends in 2022. Her brush with Hurricane Debby in 2024, surviving a flight through the storm’s eye, captured national attention and inspired a Collier County school to get involved.  Enter Suwannee Scout In July 2025, the newest chapter began. Thanks to Parkside Elementary School’s dedicated science teacher, Mr. David Ware, and his curious students, the school raised over $1,300 toward a new GPS tracker. Partnering with Friends and the Florida Ornithological Society, they helped fund the remaining cost of tagging a third kite: Suwannee Scout. On a humid June morning, a skilled team — including ARCI’s Gina Kent, researchers from the University of Florida, and a glove-trained Great Horned Owl named Gracie — succeeded in capturing and tagging a Swallow-tailed Kite at an active nest site on the Refuge’s southern end. Within 30 minutes, Suwannee Scout was fitted with her lightweight tracking device and released back to her territory.  The students of Parkside Elementary School named her through a contest and now eagerly track her movements as part of their science curriculum. From breeding territories to wintering grounds, Suwannee Scout offers real-time insights into migration, ecology, and conservation — turning birdwatching into immersive education. A Model for the Future
This project exemplifies what’s possible when science, education, and community engagement come together. As the students monitor Suwannee Scout’s journey across continents, they also learn about ecosystems, geography, climate, and cooperation. The work continues. With each migration season, these tagged birds help conservationists understand the challenges Swallow-tailed Kites face, and how we can better protect their habitats. You can follow Suwannee Scout’s journey and support the program by visiting the Friends’ Wish List. Long may she soar. from Lukas Desjardins, member of Friends' Board of Directors and UF graduate student of public archaeology With post-hurricane recovery excavations completed at Shell Mound, and the next hurricane season already underway, the refuge has begun the process of restoring Shell Mound. On Monday, July 7th, our crew from UF’s Laboratory of Southeastern Archaeology joined refuge staff to assist with the process of infilling damaged portions of the south ridge.  Jason Coates dumping fill from the top of Shell Mound Refuge staff brought in crushed lime rock to infill the damaged portions of the south ridge. The hope is that after a few rains, once the material settles, it will begin to harden and create a more durable surface to survive future storms. By recreating a more natural slope on the south ridge, wave energy will be better attenuated during storm surges and waves will be less likely to undercut the site.  UF Archaeologists shoveling fill from the top of Shell Mound Fortunately for our crew, we had Jason Coates operating the skid steer to do most of the heavy lifting. For most of the fill material, Jason carried it to the apex of the site and dropped it along the edge of the escarpment. It was a tight fit and he had to be careful of the unstable surface, and around half of the material in each load had to be manually shoveled onto the base of the escarpment. One benefit of dropping the fill from the top of the mound is it allows gravity to do a lot of the work for us, forming a natural talus slope.  Jason pushing loose shell over the fill After a few loads of fill, Jason pushed some of the loose shell over the lime rock. This both helps improve the appearance of the site and will hopefully provide another line of defense against erosion. Unfortunately, Jason’s skid steer had mechanical issues around the middle of the day, and he and John Stark had to leave to get replacement parts. The fill brought to the site on Monday was about half of the required volume for the south ridge, and another load of fill will be ready in August to finish the process. We expect that around twice as much fill will be needed to finish the repairs. After the infilling is done, the surface will be capped with additional loose shell. While we can’t turn back the clock and restore the context that was destroyed by Hurricane Helene, we are hopeful that we can take proactive steps to improve the resiliency of Shell Mound and stem the losses that will occur in future hurricane seasons. Repairs at the Shell Mound pier are still underway, and the boat ramp remains inaccessible to the public at this time.
When you purchase a hunting permit for the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge, you’re doing more than gaining access to public lands — you're directly contributing to their care and upkeep. Hunting fees collected here stay on the Refuge and are reinvested in ways that benefit hunters and other outdoor users alike. Your dollars help fund critical maintenance and improvements through what's known as 8081 funds — the federal budget used for refuge infrastructure and upkeep. Here are just a few ways those funds can be used:
Thanks for supporting public lands — and for being part of what keeps them strong for future generations of hunters.
 We’re excited to announce that we’re giving our website a fresh new look!
Our site, while rich in content, has maintained a more traditional design with an emphasis on informational text. The updated version will retain all the valuable information you look for—but will be presented in a more modern, streamlined format. Our goals are:
Our end is to make your experience smoother, faster, and more engaging—while keeping the trusted Refuge news and information you count on. You will see some changes already but this remains a work in progress. See it in action! We’d love to hear your feedback as we continue to improve! |
Friends of the Lower Suwannee & Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuges
P. O. Box 532 Cedar Key, FL 32625 [email protected] We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. |
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