This dragonfly was perched atop a roundheaded bushclover flower in a restored prairie here in Aurora. Because it was a cool early fall morning, it was reluctant (unable?) to fly and let me get close enough to take its portrait.
Dragonflies are one of the larger predator insects in prairies and like to eat mosquitoes and other small flying insects. They use their extreme speed and agility to catch their prey on the fly.
Thanks. Fall color was a little different this year with the long warm fall. Prairies seemed to do their typical golden color on time but a lot of the trees seemed confused.
The Prairie Ecologist 
Nice! Love the fall color!
Thanks. Fall color was a little different this year with the long warm fall. Prairies seemed to do their typical golden color on time but a lot of the trees seemed confused.