A Firecracker of a Dragonfly

You can't miss the flame skimmer dragonfly (Libellula saturata). You especially can't miss the male, which is firecracker red.

We watched a male flame skimmer hunt for prey over our fish pond Saturday afternoon. (Hopefully, it was nailing mosquitoes!)

This insect's pattern of flight is so unpredictable that it's difficult to photograph. Where it was, is not where it is. Where it is, is not where it was. It flutters, swoops, soars, and corners a turn like an Indy 500 race car heading for the checkered flag.

But wait! After you watch a dragonfly catch prey, follow it.  See where it lands.

In our yard, the dragonflies seem to prefer landing on a tomato stake. The bamboo stake is there for two reasons: (1) to anchor the tomato vines and (2) to attract dragonflies.

We set up a "stakeout." The dragonfly kept returning again and again within a five-minute span to rest or eat its prey.

Nature's pole dancer...resplendent in red...