No, it’s not a joke question, but there’s clearly a lot of satisfaction going on in these photos. So many hoverflies, and different kinds too. Also photographer satisfaction – in that I managed to capture them so I could show you. Then there’s gardener satisfaction too – always something new to discover out in the garden, with or without camera. The only problem is I’m sure Ark is going to ask if I know what species they are. Nope, I don’t, but here’s the place to find out, which further adds to my satisfaction, because I can now provide this very fascinating link – at least as far as hoverfly lovers are concerned.
Tish Farrell 
Without checking your link and in an effort to unashamedly show off, the fly in the second shot looks like Female Migrant Hoverfly . The black markings on the female tend to curve up towards her head. The markings on the male don’t.
And that is the extent of my knowledge. Now let me check your link and get blown out the water for being cocky!
Oh, and smashing photos by the way!
Re hoverfly ID, I will bow to your smartyknickerness, Ark, as there are just too many variants to puzzle over at the link. Glad you like the photos 🙂
We get the Migrant down here … hence the name, I guess. Seems fairly logical when you think of it!
I discovered the female/ male thing when I noticed the different markings after uploading some photos one time and it drove me to distraction trying to find if this was a different species. Then someone who had uploaded similar pics to another site added ”Female …” to the description and I said: ”Aaah … Eureka!”
One of things that sticks in the mind.
I’ve never really got my eye in with insects, so admire your persistence.
Well, I’ve said before, once I got going with the digital SLR I just wanted to catalogue as much fauna dans le jardin as I could.
After a while it becomes almost second nature when one sees something to mentally note its name.
Oh, that’s such and such a fly, bee, wasp, butterfly, spider …. blah blah.
It makes the whole Bug Encounter thing so much more rewarding.
And now I’ve got my hands on this super duper lens it makes bird photography almost a dream come true. And you start to listen for their calls and recognise them!
Loads of fun.
Much like you are with all your veggies I suspect, and how you know what grows where and best and what soil etc etc.
You’ve made me feel better, Ark, re insect appreciation failure. One only has so much mental RAM in the old brain box. I think mine is already clogged up with too many corrupted files. Need a bit of defragmenting.
I think we all go ”on the blink” in this respect from time to time.
I sat for a few minutes trying to remember email password this afternoon. It just went! And I’d be blowed if I was going to look in my notebook.
So I sat there stewing until after five minutes I stood up intent on playing a CD from the rack above the desk and saw the title of one I had used for my password and thought … oh, yeah… what a dummy!
It’s a bit like the occasional blank spot/ fall out one used to get on old cassette tapes.
Blank spots – yes, I have a lot of those. Hmph. But at least I always know how to cook supper, which us just as well for Shed Building Man, since despite watching me for years, he has not one clue in that department – apart from being able to boil potatoes which was something he learned to do in Brownies or Cubs.
A new super duper lens, eh?
It’s the electronic lens on the Sony Cyber shot. It does not have a fast shutter speed but the zoom capabilities are awesome.
Lens envy!
The other hoverflies look like Marmalade flies. Episyrphus balteatus. According to your link. Not sure of the one with the brighter yellow markings top right of the shot.
We don’t get the Maramalade fly down here but I’m pretty sure blogpal Pete Hillman has shots of this species.
https://petehillmansnaturephotography.wordpress.com/
What a very lovely site this is link-wise. Thank you. If they are marmalade flies then it is apt that I keep finding them on the marmalade crocosmia 🙂
Pete’s a really nice bloke and a damn good photographer. He’s just up the road from you … more or less.
Yep – not a very big stone’s throw away. Nice county, Staffs. V. under remarked.
Congratulations on very good and rare shots.
Hope all is well in your neck of the (Sher)woods?
😉
Thank you, Brian. All is well in Wenlock juxta Sherwood, thank you, though it is a bit wet and cold. How are things in Mexico? Just typing the word Mexico makes me feel brighter and warmer 🙂
The rain is what makes England (and Normandy, and brittany and ireland so green).
The magic of words: Mexico? Well, this is the rainy season. Think Nairobi. Rain in the Afternoon, night. Episodes of bright, warm sun during the day, and put a jumper at night. have a lovely week-end Memsahib
You’re right. I should be grateful for rain. We’ve had so little in Sherwood so far this year. Very trying on the vegetables. And now you have me thinking of Nairobi as well as Mexico and the Alexandre III. Must go away and take a valerian pill to calm down. Cheers!
Vegetables? Oh, so you have a complete garden. How so very British. Sorry to bring back memories, but remember the Mexican saying: Lo bailado, nadie me lo quita. What I danced, nobody can take it away. Nairobi and other magic places will always be with you. Cheers back
They must be in opium heaven!!
Definitely getting high as kites 🙂
Phoo phoo on the flies …the poppies are beautiful.
🙂
Nice!!! Kisses ❤ ❤ ❤
Thank you.
Comment my photo!!! Kisses ❤ ❤ ❤
And of course the satisfaction of your raders at such beautiful poppies – and hoverflies!
They were certainly gobbling like crazy. Such an obliging poppy 🙂
Zillions of them this year, aren’t there? On the rare occasions when I’ve managed breakfast in the garden I’ve been fending them off with my spoon. 🙂 🙂 Gently, of course.
Gently dispersing? Would never doubt it, Jo 🙂
Amazing shots.
Thank you, Irene.
These are amazing shots Tish – the clarity is incredible. Beautifully done.
Oh high praise indeed, Tina. Much appreciated 🙂
Happy bees 🙂
Oh, very well done, Tish! Beautiful shots.
janet
Am taking a bow 🙂
You should.
Satisfying for your readers too! Lovely shots and interesting to see so many hoverflies together.
Thank you, Carol. I was astonished to see so many in one flower. Must have been jolly good nectar. It was quite a feeding frenzy.
Lovely captures, Tish!
Thanks, Sue.
😊
My first thought was not how does one identify hoverflies but how does one identify an opium poppy. Had to do a little research. 🙂
I sent you gallivanting then – google-wise 🙂
Yep. 😀
Stunning shot – steady hands! Dozens of Diptera digging in there – am sure one or two are marmalade flies?! Another good reference link is British entomology…
http://www.benhs.org.uk/
What a fantastic site, Laura. Many thanks for the link.
Lovey shots. Hoverfly is a new term for me. I had to look them up. I guess I have lived in big cities for too long. Apparently they are found throughout the US. Who knew. 🙂
Seems most insects know no bounds 🙂
It’s all been said and I’m a bit late in replying. I just love your clear beautiful photos and of course to see the hoverflies is wonderful, there are so many varieties too. I’ve seen these little guys in our garden too but only one or two at the most. A lovely write up also!
Many thanks. Never too late to make such nice comments 🙂
🙂
Beautiful photos, Tish.
Asante sana! Hope you’re having a good Monday.
Again!
These close-ups are even better than usual; beautiful sharpness and clarity!
Thank you, Paula. You are catching up with me. How very nice of you 🙂