Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera)

Eastern Amberwing
Perithemis tenera

The Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) is a small, thick-bodied dragon that utilizes many habitats from streams to lakes to ponds and marshes. It is one of the smallest dragons in North America and it is sometimes called a "wasp mimic" since it can look very wasp-like in flight. The first image shown here was photographed in Austin, Travis Co., Texas in May, 2003. The image was a digital capture with a Canon EOS 10D and EF 300 mm F4 L IS lens with a 1.4 extender and 550 EX flash. The next image, to illustrate the dorsal abdominal pattern in comparison to the Slough Amberwing, was shot in Eagle Pass, Maverick Co., Texas in September, 2003 with a Canon EOS 10D and EF 70-200 mm F/2.8 L IS lens with 2X extender and 550 EX flash.

The male Eastern Amberwing shown here was in the Davis Mountains, Jeff Davis Co., Texas, in June, 2005. This shot was taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark II and EF 600mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.
The next three shots show male Eastern Amberwings at Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in August, 2007. These shots were taken with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and the same lens and flash as the previous images.


The next two shots of a male Eastern Amberwing were taken in Austin, Texas, in July, 2008, with the same gear as previously described.

The shot shown here shows a teneral female Eastern Amberwing that has just recently emerged. This image was taken in May, 2009, at Buescher State Park, Bastrop Co., Texas with a Canon EOS 1D Mark III and EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash.
The female Eastern Amberwing shown here was in Austin, Travis Co., Texas, in August, 2009. This image 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 Eastern Amberwing shown here was in Victoria, Victoria Co., Texas, in November, 2009. A Canon EOS 1D Mark III and an EF 300mm F/4 L IS lens and 2X extender and 580 flash was used for this image.
The female Eastern Amberwing on the right was at a small pond on the Caddo National Grasslands, Fannin Co., Texas, in June, 2011.
The male Eastern Amberwing on the right was in Cameron, Milam 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.
Eastern Amberwing Perithemis tenera male Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 30 May 2013
Eastern Amberwing Perithemis tenera female Hornsby Bend, Austin, Travis Co., Texas 7 June 2013
Eastern Amberwing Perithemis tenera female Pedernales River Nature Park, Johnson City, Blanco Co., Texas 13 June 2013
Eastern Amberwing Perithemis tenera female Pedernales River Nature Park, Johnson City, Blanco Co., Texas 15 August 2013
Eastern Amberwing Perithemis tenera female Balmorhea Lake, Reeves Co. Texas 21 August 2013