Posts Tagged: Libellula saturata

First Flameskimmer of the Year

It was a little late. The first flameskimmer of the year usually arrives in our yard in early April. Not this year. The...

A flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, perches on a bamboo stick in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, perches on a bamboo stick in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Another view of the flameskimmer, Libellula saturata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Another view of the flameskimmer, Libellula saturata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

'My Old Flame' Returns

"My old flame" returned Saturday, July 2. A strong north wind aided him. It wasn't the "old flame" from last year, but a new generation. Still,...

A red flameskimmer or firecracker skimmer (Libellula saturata) perches on a tomato stake in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A red flameskimmer or firecracker skimmer (Libellula saturata) perches on a tomato stake in a Vacaville pollinator garden. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A strong north wind engulfs the red flameskimmer, turning his wings into head gear. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A strong north wind engulfs the red flameskimmer, turning his wings into head gear. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Big Red, the flameskimmer, agrees to another portrait. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Big Red, the flameskimmer, agrees to another portrait. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

What's on the menu? Big Red, the flameskimmer, returns to his perch to eats his lunch. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

What's on the menu? Big Red, the flameskimmer, returns to his perch to eats his lunch. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Don't Get the Red Out

You don't want to "get the red out" when a flameskimmer dragonfly visits your garden. You want to let Big Red to stay in. This male...

A male flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, perches on a bamboo stake in a Vacaville garden. In back is a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A male flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, perches on a bamboo stake in a Vacaville garden. In back is a Mexican sunflower, Tithonia rotundifola. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Looking like a biplane, a male flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, peers at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Looking like a biplane, a male flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, peers at the photographer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Like a Lens to a Flame

It's a delight to see the flameskimmer dragonfly (Libellula saturata). This male made its appearance in our Vacaville pollinator garden on May...

The male flameskimmer dragonfly (Libellula saturata) is firecracker red. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The male flameskimmer dragonfly (Libellula saturata) is firecracker red. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A different angle, but the same gorgeous flameskimmer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

A different angle, but the same gorgeous flameskimmer. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

How Magical Are the Dragonflies

How magical are the dragonflies. They zig-zag through the pollinator garden, a perfect portrait of a predator: multifaceted eyes, strong wings, and...

This is a male flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, photographed in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

How magical is the dragonfly! This is a male flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, photographed in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close-up of a firecracker red flameskimmer, Libellula saturata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Close-up of a firecracker red flameskimmer, Libellula saturata. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Dinner time! A red flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, munches on a bee, probably a longhorned bee, Melissodes agilis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Dinner time! A red flameskimmer, Libellula saturata, munches on a bee, probably a longhorned bee, Melissodes agilis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

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