This is certainly a fly you cannot miss with it’s bright orange abdomen, dark stripe and bristly appearance. It is fairly large, too, as flies go with a length of 9-16mm (0.4-0.6in).
This one was taken with my Water Mint, feeding on its nectar. The adults are usually seen May to September. They are fairly common in England and Wales. The larvae are parasites of caterpillars and other larvae.
Double click on images to enlarge.
August 2017, rear garden, Staffordshire, England.
Nature Journeys 
These are spectacular images, Pete!
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Thank you, Angela 🙂
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What Fab photos. A species we get down here as well.
Can one still say fab, Pete? 🙂
(”F.A.B, M’lady”, as Parker used to say …. if you remember Thunderbirds.)
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One can still say fab, indeed Ark, and thank you 🙂 I do remember Thunderbirds, and Joe 90 and Stingray 🙂
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Ohh.. I love these amazing pictures. You must have a very good macro lens and be very patient. Macro is real fun and also exciting when you capture these tiny creatures in our world.
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Thank you very much, Anita 🙂 I have a Sigma 105mm macro lens, which is my most favourite lens. And yes, one has to be patient, and with a little added luck, too.
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I have a Tamron AF 90mm 2.8 DI SP A/M 01:01 macro lens and I´m quite happy with it but for the moment I can`t find any insects or butterflies, at least not at our terrace. I have to get out to the real nature and search for them, that´s fun 😀
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I have heard much great praise about the Tamron 90mm. It is always fun getting out and about amidst the wonderful natural world! 🙂
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What a handsome fellow! I’m always in awe of your ability to get such clear photos. I keep trying to bribe my subjects to just sit still, already! but it doesn’t seem to do much good. 🙂
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Thank you, Linda 🙂 This one wouldn’t keep still either. I just had to get the timing right and hoped it would drink the nectar longer on one blossom or the other.
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Wow, excellent detailed macros!
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Thank you very much, Marilyn 🙂 Quite a difficult one as it was out over the garden pond and hardly kept still.
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Excellant macros Pete.
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Thank you, David 🙂
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Striking shots. I particularly like the last one!
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Thank you 🙂 It is quite flashy for a fly.
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He is handsome for a fly and useful too. Outstanding pictures Pete.
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Thank you, Brian 🙂 I count myself lucky it came to visit.
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Excellent photos – I love them all!
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Thank you, Anki 🙂
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