Hoverflies

One summer day in contemplative mood I was watching a reasonably stable hoverfly in the air at a distance of about a meter from my face. How cool I thought, would it be to photograph the fellow. Of course this turned out to be more difficult than I had imagined. Over successive summers using a macro lens fitted with a ring flash I started to build my hoverfly collection. Mainly at rest, but I have managed to capture a few in flight.

I found that hoverflies are strongly attracted to lilies, so in hoverfly season I would buy a bunch from the florist and place them in the garden to attract the flies. They provide a strong colourful background for the subject.

The first time I came home with a big bunch of flowers and explained to my wife that they were not for her but rather to stand in the garden to attract flies, she was less than impressed.