Bluebottle fly temperatuires

On the same morning that I'd been shooting been ice and frozen soap bubbles, I put some drops of sugar mixture on a camellia bush to see if there were any bugs about. Around 11.30am some flies appeared and I measured the temperatures using an infra red thermo- sensor and a shade thermometer.

Shade ground temperature -3.7'C
Shade air temperature + 3.2.C
Camellia leaf in sun + 12.C
Bluebottle fly on leaf in sun + 16.5.C

So the bluebottle flies were surprisingly warm

Brian V.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/Dnro​MN

Top detail in this shot and I think its great.

Great shot Brian! That's a big difference in temp between full shade and full sun, is this a new bit of kit you have Brian? The BB seems quite content enjoying the warmth from the sun and the sugary treat!

Aussie1 wrote in post #17869301
Top detail in this shot and I think its great.

Worcester Lad wrote in post #17870021
Great shot Brian! That's a big difference in temp between full shade and full sun, is this a new bit of kit you have Brian? The BB seems quite content enjoying the warmth from the sun and the sugary treat!

Thanks for the comments

George, Yes not sure why but I always wanted an IR thermometer to play with. Got cheap enough for silly Christmas present.

Brian V.

Beautiful detail Brian

Lovely capture Brian. Interesting temperature data, I presume they can warm up using their flight muscle?.

ezzyz wrote in post #17870418
Beautiful detail Brian

Lester Wareham wrote in post #17870580
Lovely capture Brian. Interesting temperature data, I presume they can warm up using their flight muscle?.

Thanks for the comments

Lester- Suspect most of the extra temperature was just from being an efficient absorber of radiation.
Brian v.