This brilliant red dragonfly is a common sight around ponds and streams in much of North America.  As is the case in a number of dragonfly species, females (two images immediately below and three rows down on left) are much less colorful than males.   Most dragonflies are highly alert and have excellent vision, and flame skimmers are no exception.   I got these images by slowly edging up to a favorite perch; even if temporarily frightened into flight, they often return to their preferred twigs.   These were photographed in several places in southern California.