Flying machine of a different kind

[HAB911]

Sphecius speciosus, the eastern cicada-killer wasp, a large, solitary digger wasp that makes tunnels in the yard surrounded by mounds of dirt from their digging. This is only the second year they have made their home in my garden. They are not the least aggressive and allow me to get rather close, until eventually tiring of me and moving off to other hunting grounds. These are about 1.5" long and seem to be hunting like a dragonfly does, catching something on the wing, and returning to a perch.