Camacinia harterti, verified

On May 31, last year, I walked through the forest in Xuan Son National Park when a large red-and-brown dragonfly flew past with some burned caramel wing bases. I was certain it was the possibly ultra-rare Camacinia harterti, but no photo and indeed just a few seconds, if that, of observation time. Not nearly enough to claim such a mega species. And no matter how I searched, I could not find it again. That is, until today, almost a year later. I walked yet another trail in the forest and passing through a clearing formed by tree fall, I noticed a large dragonfly perched on the tip of a branch. No doubt about it, Camacinia harterti! From its perch it made wide-ranging patrol flights, catching small prey, and returning after 10-15 seconds to its perch, after having swooped around the whole clearing. After a while it changed perches, picking again an exposed dry strong stick, almost vertical, on which to sit. It was quite at ease. I could even touch its wings without it taking offense.
It may well be that this forest species is overlooked. Do Manh Cuong recorded a male in Tam Dao. That record was also in April, on April 14, 2009. This may not be a coincidence. Possibly it is an early species.

Camacinia harterti, male, quite unmistakable

Quite interesting how the yellow of the wings is matched by the more orange S1-3

Not at all deterred by the spikiness of the substrate