The Blue-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum ambiguum) is a late-season dragonfly that is somewhat similar in appearance to the more common Autumn Meadowhawk—males of both species have bright red bodies, but Autumn Meadowhawks have brown eyes.
The females of both species are more muted in their coloration than their male counterparts, as is often the case with many dragonflies and birds, so they have more natural camouflage and are frequently more difficult to find. I was therefore delighted to spot this female Blue-faced Meadowhawk last Friday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, my first sighting of the species this season.
I am hopeful that I will spot the more colorful male Blue-faced Meadowhawk before this dragonfly season comes to an end.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I noticed there were no crickets singing this morning. Sad about their silence. Happy hunting for more dragonflies!!
I’ve had a different experience with crickets this summer. Plenty of green tree crickets, but the little brown and black ones that live on the ground seem not to have been here at all. No chirping, and no crickets in the house.