I drove up north into Box Elder County yesterday to look for birds to photograph and I found some but I also found other things with wings including a gorgeous male Flame Skimmer dragonfly.

Male Flame Skimmer Dragonfly in northern Utah, Box Elder CountyMale Flame Skimmer Dragonfly in northern Utah – Nikon D500, f8, 1/320, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I had been looking for a female Lazuli Bunting in a stand of small trees next to a gravel road, I’d had my lens on the bird but she disappeared into the center of the tree. I caught a flash of orange that drew my eye and watched as this male Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) dragonfly landed on a branch not far from where I had parked my Jeep.

I took a series of photos of the dragonfly and noticed the bright red fruit in the background, I am not sure what the red fruit was because from my focus was on the dragonfly but I thought the red might be distracting so I turned my Jeep on and crept forward until I had another clear view of the dragonfly.

Back view of Flame Skimmer Dragonfly male, Box Elder County, UtahBack view of Flame Skimmer Dragonfly male – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

When I stopped my Jeep I had a nice view of the back of the Flame Skimmer’s orange abdomen and its wings. Flame Skimmers are native to western North America, they are also called Firecracker Skimmers.

I’m glad I didn’t ignore the opportunity to photograph this male Flame Skimmer, he really is a beautiful specimen.

Life is good.

Mia

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The red fruits are the fruits of Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica).