Odonates, or simply “odes” for short, are members of the insect order Odonata, comprising dragonflies and damselflies.  This fascinating group of animals holds much the same appeal with nature lovers as birds and butterflies (i.e. diverse and conspicuous, aesthetically pleasing, ecologically interesting), and with the 2003 release of Tim Manolis' fantastic identification guide, Dragonflies and Damselflies of California, the group became that much more accessible to anyone with a pair of binoculars or a camera (although a net is still required for some identifications). The greater Tahoe region hosts about 55 species, including a few that are strictly migratory or occur as vagrants.

Each year, a group of California odonate enthusiasts (CalOdes) converges for a long weekend somewhere in the state for an Odes-Blitz, wherein they attempt to document new species for state or county lists. In the Tahoe region, TINS sponsors instead an Odes Mini-blitz, and our goals are threefold:  to (1) document the odonate fauna of the Tahoe region, (2) identify locations with high odonate diversity or hosting unique or rare species, and (3) have fun!

Some of the discoveries from these events have been quite significant. For example, in 2011 we documented the intergeneric copulation between two dragonflies at Grass Lake. In 2021, we rediscovered Spiny Baskettails in the Donner Lake area, a population that had not been seen since 1914! Click the embedded links to read more about these discoveries.

Timing of the event varies from year to year depending on interest and availability of staff and participants, as well as needing to work around our other events. Some years the Odes Mini-blitz is a single day, others it is a full weekend.

Anyone interested in participating in future mini-blitzes is encouraged to contact Will Richardson for more information.