There are several of these dragonflies cruising the skies on the trail west of town (other related species that are currently abundant at this location are Racket-tailed Emeralds and American Emeralds ... I certainly don't have to worry about being bitten by deerflies). As yet they haven't stopped to pose for a picture so this roadkill specimen will have to do for now.
Prince Baskettails are fairly large, this young male is just shy of 70 mm long. Mature males have the deep green eyes common to many species of the Cordullidae (Emerald) family. The spots on the wings are typical for specimens I've seen in this area but, according to the books, can be reduced in some individuals while others have much larger spots at the nodus.
