Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum)

Cardinal Meadowhawk
Sympetrum illotum

Within the U.S., the Cardinal Meadowhawk (Sympetrum illotum) is a dragon of the southwest, but the species also occurs into South America. It is uncommon and local in west Texas. The male shown here was photographed at a pool along a stream in the Davis Mountains of west Texas in June, 2005, with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens, 2x extender and 580 flash.