These rare dragonflies have been surprisingly common this year. I have seen about 10 of them so far. When I do encounter them they seem to have a habit of either perching on me or perching on towers, buildings, cars, umbrellas or wooden posts rather than a nice, natural perch where I would rather photograph them! On the other hand, the gray steel of the hydro tower this individual was perched on really brought out the color on the thorax. The individual in the next photo (a second Harlequin Darner) was also perched on a hydro tower and third and fourth photos that follow show other individuals on a wooden post and the patio umbrella in my backyard.