Fairly rare hoverfly visitor

Had a rare visit in the garden the other day. The hoverfly Scaeva selenetica. Attracted to some hand outs of sugar/honey syrup on one of camellia bushes.

5Dmk2/MPE-65/430Ex flash. #5 focus stacked using zerene.

Brian V.

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Wonderful captured Brian. The old trade-mark eye detail there.

Really pretty captures, Brian!

Nice find! Surprised to see one about at this time of year. Fab pics of it.

Linda

Nice photos
If I remember rightly you have a a mix of 4 to 1 sugar water, how long does it take for things to appear? When I try I never get anything.

Great find Brian, especially at this time of year!

Lester Wareham wrote in post #17861356
Wonderful captured Brian. The old trade-mark eye detail there.

Snydremark wrote in post #17861388
Really pretty captures, Brian!

LindaB wrote in post #17861533
Nice find! Surprised to see one about at this time of year. Fab pics of it.

Linda

davholla wrote in post #17861765
Nice photos
If I remember rightly you have a a mix of 4 to 1 sugar water, how long does it take for things to appear? When I try I never get anything.

Worcester Lad wrote in post #17861817
Great find Brian, especially at this time of year!

Thanks all for the comments- appreciated.

davholla. - The mix is something like 3 heaped teaspoons sugar- I heaped teaspoon honey and 2 or 3 teaspoons water- microwaved for about 10-20seconds until boiling and then mixed till it all dissolves.
You need to put drops on a bush that gets the sun from around 10am to 2pm. Flies appear nearly immediately but if the air temp is low the hoverflies only appear around noon. I have in the past photographed hoverflies when there is still frost on the grass.

Brian V.