What kind of bug is this?

It's not macro, but I know where the bug guys hand out! I could only get approximately 12-15 feet before it flew away. It was taken with my 100L and cropped very heavily. I know it's not the best picture, I only snapped two before it disappeared. It was in my yard, but I've never seen one before. Would just like to know what it is. My thought was some sort of bee? I live in eastern North Carolina.

I'm no expert but I believe what you have is an immature dragonfly. Between the nymph stage and all grown up. No idea which one.

from the angle, it is hard to tell, but it looks like a fly, probably some sort of hoverfly

I know it's not the best quality picture or the best angle. It's the best I could do on spur of the moment.
When it flew away it was very noisy and quick.

It's a Robber Fly. They eat other bugs. Often the Robber Fly will sit on the stem of a plant and wait until another bug flies past underneath, then drop down and catch the bug in the air. It's like a miniature version of a hawk or falcon catching another smaller bird for dinner. There are hundreds of closely related species. They aren't very pretty, but they are interesting.

I know, they don't stay put. My neighbors stare in amazement as I chase bugs through our garden.

If it was very noisy, maybe it was not a hover. However, the eyes and antennae seem like a fly of some sort. I'll post a few below for comparison. the second is a type of hover.

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She wants to know how big is it?

Some kind of cricket?

I will definitely be on the lookout for it again. Since I saw from the same angle you see it, my best estimate on length would be 1.5-2 inches total length.

Good to get an informed opinion. I stand corrected - as usual!

It's definitely a robber fly, looks like a decent sized one too. I'll typically see them sitting on a leaf looking for prey, on a leaf WITH their prey, or for a split second attacking something in the air. Pretty amazing little flies. Certainly something you won't notice much unless you're looking for them or know what they are already.

After viewing some robber fly pics, I have to agree with you guys. I appreciate the insight and opinions from everyone. Maybe I will see one again and can get some better pics.