Cropped and sharpened.

This is a male Flame Skimmer (Libellula saturata) and rightfully earns its common name. The female is more color subdued with dull orange to light browns. The sun was heading down, brightly lighting up this dragon's wings and abdomen. I spooked it off its perch a number of times but patiently waited and it returned for the photoshoot.
These are amazing creatures and their occurrence around a water source such as a pond, lake, river or stream is a signal of a healthy habitat. " Because these insects require stable oxygen levels and clean water, scientists consider them reliable bioindicators of the health of an ecosystem. - NatGeo "