Common blue ? and hover

[lesno1]

[Shadowman]

Nice efforts, burning blue highlight on the bug though.

[James G]

Hi Les, Nice captures.
I'm guessing you didn't get a chance to see the underside of the 'Blues' wings. Looking at my guide, it could be a Holly Blue since the abdomen shows clear segments whereas with the Common Blue segment are not so defined/obvious.

As regards the Hover... Eupeodes sp possibly latifasciatus

[JohnRostron]

Nice pictures. I agree with James. It looks more like a Holly Blue. These are around now, especially around my Ivy, the food plant of the caterpillar. The leaf it is on looks like Ivy.

John

[lesno1]

Hello James i hope you are keeping well i only managed to get that shot of the butterfly but it was quite small around half the size of a cabbage butterfly if that helps

[Geoff F]

Yes, my thoughts were the same as James concerning the blue butterfly. Could be either and they can be variable, particularly the Common Blue. My book says shiny blue for the Holly blue and bright blue for the Common; which doesn't really help. Size is 12 to 18 mm wing length for both.

And the hoverfly is just as problematic! Syrphus sp male, and males can't be separated without microscopic examination.

[lesno1]

Think i need specsavers i dont know how i missed that thanks shadowman for pointing it out

[JBW]

Top down shots are great. Would you consider different angles? Less overall sharpness but they can be interesting.

[Wavelength]

I liked the second more....

[lesno1]

Yes Brian i do like to do side and front shots but they have to be at my height as i have trouble bending my knees to get down to them

[JBW]

Yes Brian i do like to do side and front shots but they have to be at my height as i have trouble bending my knees to get down to them

you and me both which is why over the years I have been adding raised flower beds. I take out my stool and see what I can find at a convenient height.