Widow Skimmer Libellula luctuosa

One of the most recognizable dragonflies in the south. Males distinctive in the eastern US. Females are golden and copper without the white in the wings. Loves open fields and is often significantly dislocated from water. Also likes lake edges. Often very wary when perching. Common to abundant in the right habitats.

This is the juvenile color form of the male. You can just make out the whitish markings beginning to show on the outer wing sections. The female looks alot like this only the black wing marks are paler and copper colored.

This is the female. Compare with the juvenile male above. Shape of the dark mark is different and the body stripes are much more accented.

And a juvenile female side shot from Holla Bend NWR. More rounded central wing spots and dark tips.