I had a visitor today. This Bee Fly (Bombylius major) was feeding from one of my Grape Hyacinth blooms between April showers.
It must be tiring work all this high speed buzzing about, as it had to take a rest on a stone in the warm spring sunshine.
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Nature Journeys 
Wonderful detail. Amazing looking insect, a new one to me.
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Thank you, Belinda 🙂 This is now the second one I have seen this season.
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What an interesting looking fly. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Thanks for sharing, Pete.
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Thank you, Vicki. This fly always makes me smile, which sounds a little crazy, I know, but it is so distinct from the normal run of the mill fly.
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This looks like a cross between a bee and a mosquito 🙂 (And grape hyacinths? One of my faves.) Do you happen to know what the bee’s little brown “paddles” are for?
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It is quite an extraordinary looking insect. Although it looks like a bee, it is a fly, and it has fooled me on more than one occasion. Those paddles are its very long spindly legs. You can see them more clearly via the link below. Yes, Grape Hyacinths are my favs, too 🙂 Thank you for your comment, Sally 🙂
https://petehillmansnaturephotography.wordpress.com/2017/03/18/bee-fly-bombylius-major/
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Neat, Pete!
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Excellent photos! I especially like the ones that show his long legs and his “siphon.”
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Thank you, Marilyn 🙂 This fly was quite accomodating and didn’t appear to be bothered by my presence, and even flew towards me to settle on the stones to chillout.
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Aptly named, Pete. Love these shots!
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Thank you, Jane 🙂 It’s amazing what you notice when you just stop and look.
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Great up close pictures.
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Thank you, Brian 🙂
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I just love these little guys Pete, and in the last week they’ve been very busy in the garden, usually in pairs. They’re quite fascinating. I snapped one and used it for one of my headers recently. You got some excellent shots!
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Thank you, Jude 🙂 They are great to watch, and two days straight I have spotted one in the garden.
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