Like many dragonflies, variegated meadowhawks show some sexual dimorphism: the male is redder than the female, especially on the face.   Variegated meadowhawks are very common in much of California, including desert areas many km from standing water.   Their flight season persists later than that of many dragonflies and they frequently can be found very late in the autumn.   I took the pictures with a long telephoto lens at the San Jacinto Wildlife Area near Riverside, California.
            More variegated meadowhawk images are on this page.