The Red Skimmer dragonfly is a common visitor to our backyard pond. I've also seen photos of the same dragonfly labelled the Scarlet dragonfly.  If you know the proper name for these guys I'd love to hear it.  I originally thought they were Red Darners, but Darners aren't this brilliant vermillion.

 

The male and female mate by connecting in air then resting on a plant near a body of water.  The female then deposits her eggs into the water by hovering above the surface and repeatedly dipping the end of her tail into the water.  She flies up about six to 8 inches into the air then drops and dips her tail into the water again and again. 

 

The magnificent red of the male is, if anything, more magnificent in person.  These are not creatures that blend into their surroundings.  They are like flying jewels above the pond. 

 

These are photos I took of the process on June 19, 2007. 

 

Male Red Skimmer in flight

See him in front of the light colored rock.