Many thanks, Martin, for following up on this one for me! Also, please make sure to express my gratitude to Dr. Kimsey for taking a moment from her busy schedule to offer an ID.

Thanks for the confirmation, Eric. I wish I knew more about how to ID this colorful group of wasps. Going to try to do some research over the weekend, we'll see if I come up with anything useful.

The helpless state of the insects when they are still pool-bound or drying off post-rescue, definitely makes getting some decent photos a lot easier. Plus, I get the added satisfaction of knowing that I probably saved their life. Maybe you can find a friendly neighbor with a swimming pool for you to check out too?

I pondered that idea while seeing bugs duck under leaves as I approached. The small ones in particular seem to be well represented in your posts. You're on to something!

Truthfully, I haven't had much success photographing the really tiny insects in their natural habitats. The pool has really provided me with an interesting opportunity to study them in more depth. Although, it pushes the limits of my point-and-shoot camera and when I find something really cool I often find myself thinking, "Oh man, I wonder what someone like Scott Justis could do with this specimen?!"