Autumn Meadowhawk
Sympetrum vicinum
The Autumn Meadowhawk is a late-season skimmer dragonfly, often seen after many other dragonflies have faded from the field. Mature males are bright red to reddish orange, with clear wings, reddish-brown eyes, dark leg markings, and a compact meadowhawk shape. These photos show individuals perched low in meadow vegetation, using leaves, grass blades, and dry stems as lookout points in warm sun.
For identification details and comparison with similar meadowhawks, see Sympetrum vicinum in the Field Notes section.
An Autumn Meadowhawk rests along a curled green leaf, its reddish eyes and clear wings emerging from deep summer shade.
Meadowhawk in Shadowlight
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 400 • Aperture f/8.0 • Shutter 1/100 s
E22A6674 • Size: 3200 x 2200
An Autumn Meadowhawk glows from a dry diagonal stem, its red body set against a soft green meadow background.
Late-Season Ember
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/8.0 • Shutter 1/125 s
D79A0448 • Size: 2800 x 1867
An Autumn Meadowhawk pauses on a broad green leaf, its warm amber body and reddish eyes caught between bright sun and deep understory shade.
Amber in the Understory
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture: f/8.0 • Shutter: 1/125 s
D79A4948 • Size: 2000 x 1333
A close view of an Autumn Meadowhawk shows the reddish eyes, pale face, dark legs, clear wings, and red pterostigmata.
Face at the Leaf Edge
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 500 • Aperture f/13.0 • Shutter 1/200 s
D79A0216 • Size: 1400 x 933
A red Autumn Meadowhawk rests across a broad green leaf, its clear wings and long abdomen stretched through sunlit meadow grass.
Red Over Green
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 800 • Aperture f/13.0 • Shutter 1/200 s
D79A0209 • Size: 2400 x 1600
Viewed from above, an Autumn Meadowhawk shows its slender orange abdomen, clear wings, and low perch among wet green leaves.
Amber from Above
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 400 • Aperture f/8.0 • Shutter 1/100 s
E22A6681 • Size: 3000 x 2000
An Autumn Meadowhawk clings to a vertical blade of grass, its face turned forward through bright meadow light.
Holding the Blade
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Settings: ISO 200 • Aperture f/8.0 • Shutter 1/125 s
D79A0443 • Size: 2200 x 1467