It's probable that CJ will identify this Diptera but if Adrian had still been in Blogland I'm sure that he or one of his readers would have been on the case tout de suite. My best guess is a Cynomya mortuorum but I could be way out. Diptera are really not my strong point. It was on a Grape Hyacinth in my garden today. I thought it was rather beautiful.
Black Pudding.
7 hours ago
Wow! Wow! Wow! What stunning photos!! Beautiful...thanks for sharing, Graham. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit early in the year Lee so I was quite fortunate and the fly was quite drowsy too.
DeleteI can't help with identification but you have some awesome photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you Red.
DeleteYour pictures are always great. I don't know how you do it!
ReplyDeleteAren't grape hyacinths lovely? In German, these are called "Baurebüble" (literally "farmers' boys"), because until about 150 years ago, farmers often wore sturdy work shirts dyed in this particular shade of blue.
Meike on this occasion it was luck. The fly was drowsy in the relatively cold weather and I was taking a photo on my phone when I noticed it.
DeleteIt looks very much like the one I took some photos of a few years ago now. Not sure if you can access this post on my original blog but I will add the link just in case http://thebalancingkiwi.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/a-mixed-bag-wednesday.html
ReplyDeleteSerenata the blog is a closed blog so even with the link I can't see it unfortunately.
DeleteAh, I will have to see if I can sort that out. Have sent you an email with the photos in it.
DeleteI'm here, it's a Bluebottle; Calliphora vomitoria.
ReplyDeleteI may start posting again as there are a few insects about. Just rebuilt another Kawasaki Mule and hopefully will soon start on a Honda CF 250 or 400 dirt bike. I'm very busy.
Thank you Adrian. I wasn't too far away then: a fellow Blow-Fly. Good to know that you're there, busy and reading blogs occasionally and perhaps about to regale us with your wit and wisdom and photos again.
DeleteI like the luminescence but I can't say it's beautiful, flies are just flies to me.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos though and a very pretty hyacinth :)
Yes Kylie I'm not too good at identifying flies either although I was pretty sure this was a Blow-fly of one sort or another.
DeleteWell done, Graham, you coaxed Adrian from the woodwork!! You should have known he couldn't resist a fly. It would be great to see him back, I miss his photos and his wacky humour. The hyacinth is lovely and you got some great shots of its visitor. (I've missed your posts lately, too!)
ReplyDeletePauline I seem to have been so busy one way and another. I've a busy moth or two coming up and then visitors all summer (CJ's coming up!) so there should be plenty of opportunities for some posts from around the Island.
DeleteHope you guys raise a glass and think of me! It would be so lovely to visit with both of you together... sigh.
DeleteThat would indeed be great Mrs S. Pop over you'll be very welcome.
DeleteSigh indeed!
Deletevery good closeup, looks like the fly is enjoying himself.
ReplyDeleteThanks Any. It does rather doesn't it. It was taken with my cellphone because I didn't have time to go back into the house for my camera.
DeleteGreat macro photos Graham!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynda. It might have been better if I'd been able to get my camera and put a macro lens on it.
DeleteGreat shots for a mobile phone, Graham!
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz.
DeleteI think that many insects are absolutely breathtaking. I suspect that many of us have a predisposition to shrink away from insects, unfortunately. I saw one in France once which reminded me, believe it or not, of one of those coaches from the 1950s all in cream and green. Much smaller, of course. :) But kind of boxy and in those unmistakable colours!
ReplyDeleteI love photographing insects Jenny because they really can be amazing. I will even get up close to photographs wasps and hornets which, as a rule, I loathe and avoid with a passion.
DeleteI would have backed Adrian's identification but Diptera aren't my strongpoint either.
ReplyDeleteA lot stronger than mine though CJ!
Delete