Iridiscence

An oppressively overcast and very humid day, but this was taken during a brief hiatus in the clouds. It's a violet carpenter bee, xylocopa violacea. They are very common here, but I've never managed to get a photo of their lovely wings before. Excellent pollinators, and although their size is impressive, they are not in the least aggressive. The male doesn't even have a sting. 

Hopefully there'll be a storm later -- we definitely need something to clear the air.