Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum)

Variegated Meadowhawk
Sympetrum corruptum

The Variegated Meadowhawk (Sympetrum corruptum) is a widespread dragonfly of the United States, especially the western two-thirds of the country. It has a very long flight season and may even be encountered in the winter in the south. The shots here were taken in the Chinati Mountains of Presidio Co., Texas in September, 2004, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 300 mm F4 L IS lens with a 2X extender and 550 EX flash.

The female Variegated Meadowhawk in the two shots shown next was resting on a gravel road in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in April, 2007. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.

The Variegated Meadowhawk pair in copula and the next shot of a male were taken in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in October, 2007, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender.

The teneral male Variegated Meadowhawk shown here was along the Yakima River in Benton Co., Washington, in August 2008. The same gear as previously described was used.
The female Variegated Meadowhawk shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in August, 2009. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.
The female Variegated Meadowhawk shown here was at Big Bend Ranch State Park, Presidio Co., Texas, in September, 2009. Same gear as the shot above was used.
The female shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in October, 2009.
The young male Variegated Meadowhawk shown here, and the mature male in the next shot were both in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in March 2010. These 2 shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.

The female Variegated Meadowhawk on the right was at the BLM overflow wetlands, Chavez Co., New Mexico, in August, 2011. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.
The female Variegated Meadowhawk on the right was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in September, 2011. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.
The female Variegated Meadowhawk in the next two images was in the Kisatchie National Forest, Vernon Parish, Louisiana, in March, 2012. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark IV and a Sigma 50-500mm lens and Canon 580 flash.

Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum male Southeast Metro Park, Travis Co., Texas 11 March 2013
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum male near the Gila River, Yuma Co., Arizona 4 October 2013 32.7432 -114.4941
Variegated Meadowhawk Sympetrum corruptum female Gus Engeling W.M.A., Anderson Co., Texas 29 March 2014