Large black butterfly/moth/beetle???

[devon]

Whilst walking with my family in North Devon, I saw a large black winged something. It's body was about 2 inches long and looked like a butterfly with it's back wings in an upward position, as if closed, and using only the front wings to fly. The style of flying was more like a dragonfly than a butterfly though. We watched it for some time but couldn't get close enough to have a good look. I have never seen anything like this. Can anybody help me identify it please? Thank you.

[aeshna5]

If it flew like a dragonfly then maybe it was a male Beautiful Demoiselle which has all dark wings. Check images in the Gallery.

[devon]

That is beautiful! Thank you very much. Why would it only use it's front two wings to fly?