Best Wetlands

The Common picture wing, *Rhyothemis variegata*, is a dragonfly species native to Asia. It’s notable for its distinctive, vividly colored wings displaying intricate patterns. This dragonfly inhabits wetlands and is frequently observed in South Asia. Researchers studying Libellulidae dragonflies and...

The Yellow-striped Flutterer (Rhyothemis phyllis) is a dragonfly species native to Australia’s wetlands. It's recognized by prominent yellow stripes along its dark wings characteristic of the Libellulidae family. This dragonfly is particularly useful for ecological monitoring within wetland environm...

*Celithemis ornata*, commonly known as the ornate pennant, is a dragonfly belonging to the Libellulidae family. It’s notable for its strikingly detailed wing patterns, primarily found in southeastern wetlands and marshes across the United States. This species provides valuable insight into wetland e...

Lake Poyang in Jiangxi Province is China's largest freshwater lake at peak levels, a critical wintering habitat for migratory birds including the endangered Siberian crane, but shrinks dramatically each dry season.

Rhyothemis graphiptera, commonly known as the Graphic flutterer, is a dragonfly species native to Australia’s wetlands. Its distinctive patterned wings, featuring amber and brown markings, make it easily identifiable within the Libellulidae family. This dragonfly is particularly notable for its uniq...

Ictinogomphus australis, commonly known as the Australian tiger dragonfly, is a gomphid dragonfly found in Australian wetlands. This species stands out due to its prominent black and yellow striped thorax and substantial size, making it a subject of interest for entomologists and wetland ecologists...

The crimson-tailed marsh hawk (Orthetrum pruinosum) is a dragonfly belonging to the Libellulidae family. It’s notable for the vibrant crimson coloration that develops on the abdomen of mature males in this Asian species. Found primarily in wetlands, it's studied by entomologists and researchers inve...

The scarlet percher, Diplacodes haematodes, is a dragonfly in the family Libellulidae found in Australia and nearby parts of the region. Mature males develop a conspicuous scarlet-red coloration across much of the abdomen and thorax, while females and immature individuals are less uniformly red. It...

The Australian emperor (*Anax papuensis*) is a large dragonfly native to Australia and New Zealand, recognized as one of the largest dragonfly species found in New Zealand.

Lake Bangweulu is a shallow lake and extensive wetland system in northeastern Zambia's Luapula Province, covering roughly 15,000 sq km when its floodplains and swamps are included. The system supports large populations of the endemic black lechwe antelope and provides critical habitat for the shoebi...

The blue skimmer, Orthetrum caledonicum, is a dragonfly in the family Libellulidae found widely in Australia. Mature males are distinguished by dense, powdery blue pruinescence over much of the body, while females and immature individuals are generally less uniformly blue. Like other skimmers, it is...

The Pale-spotted emperor (Anax guttatus) is a large dragonfly species found across tropical Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands. Belonging to the family Aeshnidae, this species is characterized by the prominent pale blue spots on its abdominal segments. Anax guttatus can be observed patrolling over...

The Atrato River is a major waterway in northwestern Colombia that flows northward for approximately 750 kilometers through the dense Chocó rainforest. It empties into the Gulf of Urabá, serving as a primary navigation route for the riverine communities in the region. The Atrato River basin is geogr...

The Cairns Botanic Gardens encompass over 75 hectares of diverse tropical flora, featuring rainforest sections, themed gardens, and significant collections of native Australian plants alongside exotic species from around the world.

The Narew River is a 484-kilometer watercourse in northeastern Poland and western Belarus, functioning as a right-bank tributary of the Vistula River. It is distinguished by its unique anastomosing channel pattern, where the river splits into multiple interconnected braided streams. The Narew Nation...

Barataria Bay is a shallow inlet located in southeastern Louisiana, situated south of New Orleans within the Barataria Basin. It is separated from the Gulf of Mexico by a chain of barrier islands, including Grand Isle. The bay is characterized by extensive salt marshes, mangroves, and mudflats that...

Lake Bisina is a shallow freshwater lake located in eastern Uganda, part of the Lake Kyoga basin. It is designated as a Ramsar wetland of international importance due to its rich biodiversity. The lake provides a critical habitat for the endangered shoebill stork and supports a wide variety of Afrot...

Lake Opeta is a shallow freshwater lake in eastern Uganda, adjacent to Lake Bisina, and was designated as a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 2006. The lake is characterized by extensive papyrus swamps that provide habitat for numerous waterbird species, including the vulnerable shoebill...

The Bunyip is an Australian Aboriginal water spirit, later a colonial-era cryptid said to inhabit swamps, billabongs, and riverbeds.