eastern amberwing (Perithemis tenera) male at Chipera Prairie IA 653A9883
This charming male eastern amberwing is almost all amber in color. Notice how he appears to be doing a handstand here. In fact, he is in a particular pose known as the obelisk posture, where he points the tip of his abdomen directly at the sun, reducing the amount of solar radiation hitting his body and cooling himself off. In Egyptian mythology, the obelisk - a tall narrow tapering tower - symbolized the sun god Ra.
eastern amberwing (Perithemis tenera) male at Chipera Prairie IA 653A9883
This charming male eastern amberwing is almost all amber in color. Notice how he appears to be doing a handstand here. In fact, he is in a particular pose known as the obelisk posture, where he points the tip of his abdomen directly at the sun, reducing the amount of solar radiation hitting his body and cooling himself off. In Egyptian mythology, the obelisk - a tall narrow tapering tower - symbolized the sun god Ra.