Great pic, although it would be easier to ID if we could see the whole beetle. If it's in the range of an inch to an inch and a half, I would think it's one of a number of searcher beetles, predatory Carabids in the genus Calosoma. Very beneficial, eating caterpillars and other critters that we may not want in our yards and gardens.
Tucker

This beetle is about inch long and here is another picture (maybe not so clear to view all body).

Pretty.

the 2nd pic looked like somethin out of a horror movie...lol Night of the Beetles