I don't think that is the EAB. They look a bit longer with a longer wing case. I saw one at work like the one you posted and it was a tiger beetle or something like that.
Hate to say this but, zap took a very similar picture a month or so ago, sooooo, I think he sent that bugger on purpose. Check under his wings for Sophias phone number, lol
Its no surprise that you couldn't smash him with a piece of wood. They are one of the fastest beetles known. The equivalent to a human running 480 MPH (according to the wiki I just looked at).
I will take a picture of an Ash down at the camp by the pond and show you why I thought that was EAB. I have an Ash that the top of the canopy is dying on. It may be them.
I posted a couple pics of one of those thinking it might be EAB, and I'm pretty sure it was zap (AKA twl) that set me straight. I'll try to find the thread. Can't find the dang thread, and I think I deleted the pic.
Here's a link from TWL awhile ago http://firewoodhoardersclub.com/forums/index.php?threads/bug-identification.4097/#post-96796
They worked hard for a while with me. I did not get a pic of progress yet. Maybe later when I'm out mowing the grass. Breaking now while wife cooks us a nice meal on the grill. Steak and portobello mushrooms on the grill and salad. I had to have a cold beer before a meal like that! We don't do steak very often.
Sounds like a nice meal, I was pounding down the water today while stacking, about 1 we had lunch on the porch which was nice.
I at breakfast and skipped lunch. I hade water, Pepsi, water, Mountain Dew, water......... I really need to stop drinking soda! But anywho, I'm hungry for this dinner!
This is that Ash I was talking about. Prolly tough to see in picture though. That part of the canopy seems to be dying. I need to walk the property and see if the EAB are here.