Variegated Meadowhawk, Sympetrum corruptum

This lady's age is suggested by the lack of transparency in the wings. After the first day or two, when the wings are assuming full shape and rigidity, they're smooth and slightly dull; during the juvenile weeks of life, the wings tend to be hyaline -- perfectly transparent, glass-like. As they age, the wings suffer various forms of grief and insult: they collect bits of detritus, most often chunks of sticky spider webs and filaments, plus pollen, dust, etc. In their final days wear and tear really begin to show, with large pieces missing, sometimes from encounters with flycatching birds (Black Phoebes), but also just from age. This gal is in the third stage.

The other thing to note about this one is the malformed right eye -- this organ has not fully formed. This condition is common in tenerals, but by the end of the first day the condition usually disappears. Occasionally one see adults with this condition, so it must not be fatal. Occasionally I see gimpy wings suffering from the same defect, yet the insect forages and feeds and grows, so this too, may not be a showstopper.