Well done images
The Comma is quite obvious but the hoverfly is more of a challenge. My guess would be a female Cheilosia illustrata.
Thanks Geoff
I would totally agree with Geoff on both counts, nice images Les, the Hover is one I always think of of as ' the scruffy one'
The hover is scruffy im still not sure if i hit or missed the focus on the front
im not pleased with the hover but im happy with the Comma unfortunately i have no control over where they land , had i tried to go through thr tall grass to get to the front i would have scared it off and got no shot at all
It is hard to catch a "flutterby" in action (my play on words They don't land and stay put. The ones around here insist on closing their wings making it even more difficult to catch a decent pic. I think yours is nice even though you got him from the back. Nice color, fairly crisp and good DOF.
The hover needed a bit of light in his eye and a just a tad better focus. I rather like the background.He's in a jumble of flower petals and enjoying himself!
Focus on the hoverfly is a fraction behind its head but in most cases I initially shoot for identification which has worked here. Then, when I am sure I have all the necessary angles covered I will attempt to get a bit 'artistic' with any extra shots.
With this shot the sharp focus depth was probably around 10 mm so something had to be lost somewhere.
Thanks Sandy they can be difficult we chase them around till they land creep up and just as you raise the camera they fly away still its all good excersise .I like the way you play with words it put a smile on my face
Thanks Geoff your comment makes so much good sense it is'nt a perfect shot but there are good reasons for it
Les, very nice shot of the Comma and nice with its wings flat. I've got a theory that they often react to the ultrasonic focus on the camera which is why they seem to flit at the very last moment. It seems to have happened so many times to me that I can't believe it is just coincidence.
Hello James you could well be right and how annoying just as youre about to click and they dissapear .