Green Darner Dragonfly

The common green darner is one of the largest and most common dragonflies in North America.  This male (blue abdomen=male in this species) was guarding a corner of a pond, chasing away other dragonflies.  A tree swallow swooped through once, but missed catching this dragonfly. Adult dragonflies feed on flying insects such as mosquitoes, bees, wasps, and other dragonflies.

The background of this photo is the sky and clouds reflecting off the pond surface. 

Extra photo - another dragonfly believed to be a banded pennant dragonfly dipped it's tail in the water and lifted algae out.  Dragonflies don't eat algae, so not sure why this was done.