#small pennant

[northerlyy]

Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa), male, taken July 4, 2026, in New Hampshire, US

An absolutely stunning pennant dragonfly perched on the tip of a stick, showing off his deep reds and blacks! This species is one of the most beautiful dragonflies I've ever seen in person, and I absolutely must stop to take a picture every time I pass one. Unlike most dragonflies I see where males are solid blue, both male and female calico pennants have a striking and intricate pattern—females are just yellow everywhere this guy is red!

[northerlyy]

Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa), female, taken April 22, 2025, in Georgia, US

What I thought was a lifer dragonfly, but turned out to be the female of a species I've seen once before! This lady seemed quite relaxed around me, flying almost lazily through the air and allowing me to get very close (for a dragonfly). As far as dragonflies go, this species is quite small, and so is the rest of their genus, aptly named "small pennants"!