I think this is a Ebony Jewelwing damselfly. We saw a bunch of them on the Burke lake narrows portage. I took a lot of pictures, but this is the best I got. They never stayed in one place for long. Really pretty with dark black wings and brilliant blue bodies. There are so many neat dragonflies up there and knowing they are eating the mosquitoes makes them even more welcome. Does anyone have a better picture of them?

Freeleo1: "I think this is a Ebony Jewelwing damselfly. We saw a bunch of them on the Burke lake narrows portage. I took a lot of pictures, but this is the best I got. They never stayed in one place for long. Really pretty with dark black wings and brilliant blue bodies. There are so many neat dragonflies up there and knowing they are eating the mosquitoes makes them even more welcome. Does anyone have a better picture of them? "

I learned a good trick for how to take pictures of them from a dragonfly monitor -- the dagonflies will often fly off and then return to the same perch so to snap a good picture your best bet is to set up and focus your shot on the vacated perch then hold still for a couple minutes until the dragonfly returns and snap away.

Prettypaddle has given good advice about photographing dragonflies and damselflies. They are a favorite of mine.

This black damselfly was on one of our canoe trips, not sure right now which one. They are, indeed, beautiful creatures. I was so pleased to find out that our nature trail here on our property in south central Michigan is a habitat for them, and when I go walking I will see many of them along the way. Always a treat to see them flutter by. If I have my phone along (as I should have when out walking alone) I sometimes try to snap a photo of one.

Definitely Ebony Jewelwing. Near the northern extent of its range in Quetico. Prettypaddle is right on about dragonflies and damselflies returning to perch on the exact same twig or leaf. They get into a territory patrol pattern. Get the setting on your camera ready and focus on the perch and wait for it to return.

Most damselflies I cannot ID on the wing or perch(ebony jewelwing is one of the exceptions). I have to have a good clear photo to enlarge on the desktop.

Not sure if these are the Ebony Jewelwing but if not very similar. I actually have dozens of pretty good photos of them, as well as numerous other dragonflies/damselflies. The detail in this type of shot is amazing.

You're right. This guy keeps coming back to a stick I have supporting a sunflower. It's not as neat at the Ebony Jewelwing, But he/ she? has no problem posing.