Hoverflies
So named because of their masterful hovering abilities,they are often mistaken for wasps or bees due to the yellow/black markings,which are effective at warding off most predators(although wasps are not that easily fooled!). Despise the clear warning signals,they are only bluffing,as they do not possess a sting.
They also are relatively easy to shoot,as only sudden movements seem to spook them when they are feeding. Sometimes the occasional individual will tolerant many minutes of being photographed,and is only spooked when the lens accidentally brushes a wing! Quite often,just as you have managed to edge close enough to get a shot,a wasp will come by looking for a meal,and the hoverfly will run(or fly) for cover(open air,since they are only vulnerable when cornered by the ground/vegetation by an attack from above),only to return a moment later to a flower which is usually just out of reach,leaving you back at square one!
If you would like to try stalking hoverflies yourself,the best time here in the UK is around July/August,and later on in the afternoon on sunny days. You can shoot them right up until the light starts to fade.
Simply observe which bushes/flowers they seem attracted to. They often congregate at certain favorite types of plant to feed on the pollen and nectar. When you see one land on an easily accessible flower,slowly bring your camera up to eye level at a distance,and keeping it steady,stalk slowly and steadily,keeping any sudden or side to side movements of the camera to a minimum(this is standard practice for any skittish insects). By doing this you should be able to get within shooting range without spooking your subject... if you are lucky ;)
All images (C) Leo Stachowicz 1999-2005
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