Black Saddlebags dragonflies (Tramea lacerata) are one of a dozen or so dragonfly species in North America that migrate. Not surprisingly they are strong fliers and most of the time when I see one, it is flying high overhead—they do not seem to perch very often.The dark patches on their hind wings, which someone thought resembled saddlebags, are so distinctive that it is pretty easy to identify a Black Saddlebags when I see one in the sky.
As I was exploring Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Tuesday, I spotted a dragonfly as it zoomed by me and watched it land low in the vegetation. I moved forward as stealthily as I could and was delighted to see that the perching dragonfly was a Black Saddlebags. The background was quite cluttered, but I managed to find a clear visual path to the dragonfly and was delighted to capture this detailed image—I encourage you to click on the photo to see the beautiful markings on the abdomen and the distinctive “saddlebags.”
If you want to learn more about this particular species, I recommend an article from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee entitled “Black Saddlebags Dragonfly (Family Libellulidae).” Among other things, you will learn that for Black Saddlebags dragonflies, “Mating is brief if done aerially [the ultimate multitasking] and only slightly longer if the pair is perched.”
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
That is quite the dragonfly, Mike, and quite excellent photograph.
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Thanks, Mitzy. It’s not uncommon for me to see one of these Black Saddlebags dragonflies, but it is rare for me to have a chance to get a close-up view of one.
What an amazing photo of a fascinating wee beastie. I think if I was transformed into a dragonfly, this is the type I would be.
Thanks, Laura. You’ve prompted me to think about what kind of a dragonfly I would like to be? Hmm, I’m going to have to let that thought percolate a bit in my head before I could come up with an answer. 🙂
What an amazing and distinctive dragonfly! I wonder why these saddlebags have developed? Guess I’ll have to read the article!
I’ve never seen one of those before! How cool!
They are definitely cool-looking and quite distinctive in their appearance. There is a similar species that I see less frequently, the Carolina Saddlebags, that has patches that are reddish-brown, rather than the darker brown of the Black Saddlebags.
I clicked. I suggest everyone take a moment. One of your best👍
Fantastic capture, Mike! Worth all the stealth to get him in view.