Four-spotted Skimmer

Here's a side view of a Four-spotted Skimmer perched near the shore of Little Cranberry Lake. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the colors of this dragonfly were on full display.

Usually when you see a Four-spotted Skimmer its from above and behind. This is because you're standing on the shore, and the skimmer is below you on some low vegetation looking out over the water. This time, however, I had a nice side view of the skimmer on a bulrush stem, giving a detailed look at the complex pattern on the side of its thorax.