Wherever aquatic plants broke the surface of the water, male damselflies (Tule Bluets?) were congregating. The centre of all this activity was a lone egg-laying female. Guarding her was her mate: he was there protecting his investment. Were he to leave, all those other males would promptly attempt to mate with her.
On the right third of the picture there is a lone female damselfly: the one with the distinctly golden hue and her abdomen bent down to the stalk of the plant. Holding her by the back of the neck is her mate. The other males in the picture would like to displace him.
Another egg-laying female is being guarded by her mate (the one extending diagonally upward from her head). However, one male is flying low across them, presumably trying to muscle in.
Now and then a damselfly couple have a moment of tranquility. Here are two pictures.
Alistair,
I really appreciate your patient study, research and portraits ! ! !