Orthetrum pruinosum pruinosum

I come across this beautiful dragon fairly often. It is not easy to photograph, being a little shy. The red color is a pruinosum coating, rather than an actual body coloration.

There is quite a difference between the rich color of the male and the rather dowdy female. This color dimorphism occurs with many species of dragon, but not all.

The egg laying shot is a rare capture. Notice the male hovering very closely, to protect his female from being hijacked by another male. The egg laying occurs immediately after mating.

The shot is difficult because you must be in position and waiting. If you try to approach, either the laying operation will be completed or you will scare off the laying couple. The best method is to observe first. Find a suitable laying site, close enough for photography, get down and dirty and wait. Once the action starts, you only have a minute or so to collect your shots. Motor drive is a good idea rather than trying to pick off individual shots. It can take hundreds of clicks just to get a handful of acceptable results, one good shot if you are lucky.

Location is Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Alongside a stream and paddy fields.