The wings are mostly clear but have a small patch of yellowish to orange clouding at the base of each hindwing.

This dragonfly is found in and around marshes, ponds and slow-moving streams throughout the eastern United States, southern Canada, the Great Plains, and the west coast of North America.

One is found from Ontario east to Nova Scotia, extending south into the U.S. to Texas and Florida.

The adults of this species hunt flying insects from perches on rocks or bare branches.

This dragonfly is abundant where it occurs, with large numbers of pairs flying and laying eggs in tandem.

The female flies with the male still attached after mating (a position called "in tandem") and lays her eggs near the shoreline of lakes and ponds by dipping the tip of her abdomen on the surface of the water.