Yesterday started with a frost but soon turned into a glorious , windless day. As I returned from our first walk I found this poor departed fly.
This is a Yellow Dung Fly; Scathophaga stercoraria. If you click the image you will see that behind it’s wing and above it’s back leg it has, as all flies do, a stick with a bobble on. This is the balancer and takes the place of the second wing to stabilise the fly in flight. It shows up quite well here.
After lunch I went out looking for some living insects.
The first wasp I’ve seen this year. Vespula vulgaris. I missed it’s eyes but it wasn’t being very cooperative.
A Flesh Fly; Sarcophega carnaria. This was very settled.
This is another first for me this year. The Red-tailed Bumblebee; Bombus lapidarius. I got more insects than I bargained for here as it is infested with mites; horrible little spider type creatures. I have noticed several bumblebees similarly afflicted but I can’t see there is much to be done about it.
Things are looking better. These are all common creatures but there is a bit more variety about as the weather warms up.
The red ring highlights the balancer.
Have a really good week.
Eh, I cannot comment .....ha ...but if you see these ....I congratulate your magnificent macros, Adrian :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Daliana. I can't stop taking macro at the moment.
DeleteI was just thinking you are right into macro at the moment. Are you still at your sister's? Perhaps there are lots of flies because of the horses?
ReplyDeleteCarol, yes I'm still in horse land. There are lots of insects everywhere but I'm not finding anything special.
DeleteYour ability to find and photograph these tiny critters is remarkable.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I still working on the technique. They aren't hard to find on warm days.
DeleteAmazing photos, Adrian. Not sure i liked the dead dung fly, though. And I missed the stick with the bobble.
ReplyDeleteFrances, I have popped a red highlight around the balancer, the stick with the bobble on.
DeleteWhat can I say, it is glorious Adrian.
ReplyDeleteBob, they are attractive little beasts.
DeleteThe mites are amazing! I can't believe that on a little bee there would be so many other insects. I'm ashamed to admit that he millimeter scale is now making much more sense.
ReplyDeleteRed, I find that size and colour are half the battle with identification.
DeleteI have nothing but admiration for the quality of your macros. I'm astounded by the detail of the bumble bee with the mites.
ReplyDeleteGraham, despite five shots this was the clearest of the mites. You can just about discern their legs. Bees are a problem as they rarely stay still.
DeleteIt is a pity that men don't also have balancers under our armpits to assist safe ambulation homewards after a skinful in "The Dog and Duck".
ReplyDeleteYP, there were times when a balancer would have come in handy. Sadly those days are long gone for me.
DeleteMuy interesante tu reportaje, además es muy curioso e impresionante verlos a esta escala. Muy buen trabajo.
DeleteSaludos.
Gracias Manuel. Me parecen interesantes y hermosos.
DeleteIt's great to see so many tiny details on your little subjects. They really are amazing works of art.
ReplyDeletePauline, it is great for me as I can't see the detail until I get them on the computer.
DeleteGreat, as always. When the hoverflies come out they are usually co-operative; not when hovering but when resting still for ages.
ReplyDeleteJohn. The hoverflies are always worth a picture or ten. I am looking forward to finding some interesting beetles.
ReplyDeleteamazing to see all the pollen, the insects in this way are sweet and cute, the one on the white background are dead? I hope are not dead
ReplyDeleteLaura, all the insects are alive with the exception of the Dung Fly which was dead on the path when I found it. I don't chill or kill insects for macro. It's not fair.
DeleteFascinating macro work Adrian. The insect world is really coming alive right now.
ReplyDeleteAdam, everything is springing to life. I enjoy winter but enjoy spring for what I missed.
DeleteWow! Amazing captures...my first visit here. I intend to come back though, and see what else you show us.
ReplyDeleteThank you Maria. It's not always macro but It has got a bit of a habit lately.
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