Many dragonflies are colored with muted shades of green and brown and blend in well with their environments. Some, though, are more boldly colored and are hard to miss when they are present.
That is definitely the case for this Scarlet Darter dragonfly (Crocothemis erythraea) that I spotted last week at the Rouge-Cloître Park in Brussels, Belgium. I first noticed the bright red color of this dragonfly when it zoomed across my line of sight and I was thrilled later in the day when one accommodated me by landing on the ground not far from where I was standing.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Great color!
My little shadow has not been with me since Thursday. To say that this Scarlet Darter Dragonfly will be enjoyed does not even begin to describe how happy he will be tomorrow. Brussels, as seen by us from your pocket, has been quite fun and a learning experience too. Thank-you, Mr. Mike!!
Thanks, Ellen. I have been to Brussels quite a few time and don’t feel like seeing the same touristy sights again, so I seek out wildlife. It’s amazing how much wildlife I manage to find without having to look that hard at all.
Now that is a colorful dragonfly!! Nice Mike!
Thanks, Reed. The bright red reminds me of our male Northern Cardinals, which share this dragonflies inability to hide in the vegetation.
Wow, very striking colour!
Such variety you keep finding to show us! Thanks!
It’s amazing how many dragonflies there are to see and it’s particularly a treat to find them when I am traveling, because all of the common ones at the new location are new to me.
We never tire of seeing them!
That is one striking dragonfly!
It was hard to miss when he came into view and I was determined to try to get a photo of that amazing shade of red.
That’s a real beauty, Mike!
Thanks, Ellen. I am constantly amazed at the things that I manage to see when my senses are hyper alert (and if I am lucky, I am able to capture some images too). From past experience, I know that some people could go to the same places that I visit and think that there is nothing to see. For me, patience and persistence are almost always a key factor in getting photos that I like.
Those are the keys, Mike! That’s how we learn the patterns of what is going on in nature. Keeping quiet helps, too! Many of those same people I’ve encountered just make too much noise.
Benjamin is ecstatic : “Wow, this red dragonfly is so special! I love him!” He examined every aspect of the enlarged photos and noticed the yellow areas on the wings too. Benjamin says : “Thank-you, Mr. Mike!”
Somehow I knew that Benjamin would like the bright red dragonfly. In addition to the details that he always notices, he seems to prefer bold colors. Please thank him on my behalf for all of his wonderful comments and thank you for sharing my photos and his words.
I read your comment to Benjamin and he says : “You are welcome, Mr. Mike!” It is a pleasure to share your posts and photos with him, both of us learn so much. Just proves that one is never to old or young to learn something new!
Must look like a flying taillight when it’s flying.