My Flame Skimmer is Back!

Normally the brilliant orange dragonflies, known as flame skimmers (Libellula saturata) visit our pond in the warm summer months. They flutter about trying to attract the paler-looking females and eventually the females lay their eggs in the pond. Besides the male's bold color, he is also quite large, about 2-3 inches long. This summer, I did not see any, but two days ago, while feeding my fish, one male whirred by and landed on my "fairy tree" that overlooks the pond. I created the fairy tree from an old manzanita branch and festooned it with crystal ornaments and solar mini-lights, primarily for my grandchildren. Apparently, the flame skimmer also approved and chose to bask there in the waning rays of the autumn sun. It was magic.