Seven Months and Five Days: Jan’s Journey From Nymph to Winged Life
By Lisa Loucks-Christenson
Published June 19, 2026, at 5:49 a.m. CDT
Rochester, Minn. (RSTN) — A second time this month, a dragonfly has emerged under close observation in what has become an ongoing study of survival, transformation, and release.
In the early morning hours, around 1 a.m., Jan began her emergence after seven months and five days of care and documentation. The process was fragile from the start. Jan fell back into the water shortly after emerging, curling into a ball and appearing unsure how to escape. She then fell twice more after being lifted out—once as her wings unfolded, and again when they were fully extended but still heavy and wet.
For nearly four hours, Jan remained under watch as her body changed before the observer’s eyes. Her eyes shifted from emerald green to maroon, her pale body darkened with color, and her clear wings developed the distinct spotting of a 12-spotted skimmer. The dragonfly has been one of 61 nymphs documented in the study, with two confirmed survivors to adulthood so far and a possible third that remained wild and was never brought in for the winter.
The conditions were not expected to support such survival. With only a couple of inches of water left in Pool Pond, the odds seemed slim that any would make it. Yet Jan’s emergence became another reminder of resilience in the natural world and the value of patient, careful observation.
The dragonfly is named Jan in honor of a close family friend who was recently released from the hospital, adding a personal layer to a scientific milestone. The timing of the emergence made the moment especially meaningful, blending field study with a sense of gratitude, care, and hope.
Each dragonfly in the project has its own baby book, documenting growth, behavior, and development from nymph to adult. While 61 stories may seem like a great many, the record serves a broader purpose: preserving scientific observation, teaching through lived experience, and sharing the hidden workings of nature with a wider audience.
A short clip from earlier this morning captured Jan during the process. Another update is expected once she is formally released.
Jan is a female, 12-spotted skipper.
Dragonfly, wildlife, nature study, insects, field notes, Rochester, Pool Pond, conservation, science storytelling, Lisa Loucks-Christenson
Lisa Loucks-Christenson is an investigative journalist, author, and wildlife documentarian based in Rochester, Minnesota.