Winged and Caped Beauty - Male

The Red-mantled Saddlebags or Red Saddlebags (Tramea onusta) is a species of skimmer dragonfly found throughout the eastern United States. It has translucent wings with red veins, and has characteristic dark red blotches at their proximal base, which makes the dragonfly look as if it is carrying saddlebags when flying. The last two bands and the cerci of these dragonflies are black.

While male Red-mantled Saddlebags have a distinct red body, females will typically have light brown or pale orange bodies, as well as lighter white and brown eyes.

Nature preserve, June, 2015

(Please view in Lightbox or in larger sizes for best effect.)