Hoverfly Syritta pipiens

Lord Vetinari

Hoverfly Syritta pipiens walking round a dandelion- first one I've spotted this year but they get very common.

Brian V.

GOLDENORFE

good series Brian, i have seen couple of these, they fly off soon as i get near them
phil.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goldenorfe/

davidaevans

As always, awesome shots.
The more I try to do these sorts of things the more amazed I am at what you produce.
Are any of these focus stackes?
Do you use your bean pole for these?

Lord Vetinari

Thanks phil and Dave for the comments

Dave - The first 3 have a little hand focus stacking using 2 shots. I was down on my hands and knees for these shots just using my elbows on the ground to stabilise the camera.

Brian V.

Skippy

Lord Vetinari wrote:

Hoverfly Syritta pipiens walking round a dandelion- first one I've spotted this year but they get very common.

Brian V.

We have had a nice amount of rain lately Brian,
would be nice if this year would break the drought.

I have not seen anything around, not even flies
Here's hoping for some cool stuff come Spring Time 2008

Thanks for sharing Brian .... Skippy
.

Lord Vetinari

Skippy wrote:

We have had a nice amount of rain lately Brian,
would be nice if this year would break the drought.

I have not seen anything around, not even flies
Here's hoping for some cool stuff come Spring Time 2008

Thanks for sharing Brian .... Skippy
.

Yes I heard you had had a fair amount of rain in the last few months - must be some bugs about though- your just not looking
Brian V.

MichelleL

Incredible shots.

What resources do you avail yourself of to id the bugs that you 'capture'?

Lord Vetinari

MichelleL wrote:

Incredible shots.

What resources do you avail yourself of to id the bugs that you 'capture'?

Thanks Michelle

I have some insect guides for Britain/Europe. For harder subjects I use some web forums to help. I've now got pretty good at Iding the bugs in my garden.

Brian V.

garyt

Another great series Brian.

Lord Vetinari

garyt wrote:

Another great series Brian.

Thanks Gary
These hoverflies are fun to watch - the males at least set up territories over a suitable flowering shrub and patrol them. They do funny wiggle dances in mid air head to head when they meet another male but if they see a female on a flower below they go into a perfectly stationay hover while the look the female over.

Brian V.

canon400d

Lord Vetinari wrote:

Thanks Gary
These hoverflies are fun to watch - the males at least set up territories over a suitable flowering shrub and patrol them. They do funny wiggle dances in mid air head to head when they meet another male but if they see a female on a flower below they go into a perfectly stationay hover while the look the female over.

Brian V.

Once again Brian a real pleasure to look at your amazing shots. I just cannot get near them. By the time I get into position to focus they have gone.
Regards
Bob

Lord Vetinari

canon400d wrote:

Once again Brian a real pleasure to look at your amazing shots. I just cannot get near them. By the time I get into position to focus they have gone.
Regards
Bob

Thanks Bob

Some hints on approaching bugs here http://www.flickr.com/groups/macroviewers/discuss/72057594073223102/

Brian V.