Let's hover

Photo Information

(13178)

Genre: Animals

Medium: Color

Date Taken: 2007-07-02

Categories: Insects

Camera: Sony DSC-F717, Sony VCL-M3358 Close, Digital ISO 100, Raynox DCR-250

Exposure: f/8, 1/1000 seconds

Details: (Fill) Flash: Yes

Photo Version: Original Version

Theme(s): 5 favs. and up - PART 3, 100 points or more (Chapter 3), Best of TN by Glem, Angelina's Favorites - Part I, Trentaure at its Best, Syrphidae (Hover flies) of Europe-2 [view contributor(s)]

Date Submitted: 2007-07-04 10:31

Viewed: 9731

Favorites: 12 [view]

Points: 104

[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note

Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer)
Marmalade Hoverfly

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Uniramia
Class: Pterygota � insects
Order: Diptera � true flies

World distribution: Europe, Asia.

Like most other hoverflies, Episyrphus balteatus is a Batesian mimic � harmless but closely resembling a dangerous or distasteful model � in this case having the appearance of a solitary wasp.

It is just one of a large number of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) with narrow bodies, and with abdomens barred with black and yellow � though in this case the yellow tends towards orange. Many of these are in the tribe Syrphini ('tribe' is a sometimes-used classificatory rank between genus and family) and at one time were in the genus Syrphus, though this genus is now split up into a number of separate genera. They are a difficult group, but E. balteatus stands out by having secondary black bands on the 3rd and 4th tergites (dorsal plates) of the abdomen. The posterior margins of these tergites are heavily banded with black, but towards the anterior margins are the smaller, often broken bands, that in shape remind this author of a stick-on false moustache! The development of these bands is, however, variable.
A further identification character is provided by the faint, grey, dorsal stripes running longitudinally on the thorax � not always conspicuous but easily seen on the photographed individual.

The diagnostic anterior bands on the abdomen of E. balteatus. Also visible here
are the halteres, balancing organs, that replace the hind wings and are
diagnostic of the Diptera. They are yellow in this species.

E. balteatus is one of our most common and widespread hoverflies throughout Britain, throughout most of the year and in a variety of habitats including urban gardens (though the photographs shown here are from chalk downland). It visits a variety of flowers for nectar, but seems to have a particular prediliction for dandelions (Taraxacum species).
In some years its numbers are supplemented by migration from the continent, occasionally in such numbers as to cause consternation to those taken in by its resemblance to a wasp. Panic amongst holidaymakers on the Essex coast in the face of such a mass immigration was reported by the Guardian, Tuesday August 3, 2004,

The larva is terrestrial, a voracious consumer of aphids. Considering too the r�le of the adult fly as a pollinator, this makes E. balteatus an entirely beneficial insect, despite its wasp-like appearance.

I found this info HERE.

ISO100 - F:8 - 1/1000 sec. - Manual exposure - Diffuse flash - Handheld

anilnediyara, SelenE, taba, Fisher, Robbrown, cysorz, jmp, Kaszek, Silke, marhowie, Proframe, deblink, manyee, Jamesp, haraprasan, red45, Gildasjan, gurupawan, scottevers7, shirgold, fartash, Photoslave, JORAPAVI, TAZ, AndyB, earthtraveler, inked has marked this note useful
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Discussions
Thread	Thread Starter	Messages	Updated
To joey: Thanks MF.	extramundi	1	07-04 13:01
To Robbrown: Hello Robert.	extramundi	1	07-04 12:31
To Mana: Thanks for your kind comment !	extramundi	1	07-04 11:13
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Critiques [Translate]

gurupawan (1755)
[2007-07-04 10:36]

WOW!!!! this is a spectacular MACRO shot of a flying missile , Amazing details in such an action shot drops my jaw down. The BG and sharpness on this pic blows me off.A lovely capture this one is.

Tfs

Pawan

smitha (4409)
[2007-07-04 10:49]

WOW! Breath taking shot!!!

Regards,
Smitha.

anilnediyara (780)
[2007-07-04 10:52]

Good lord can I believe my eyes!! Great macro shot! No great action macro shot.

amazing details and lighting. TFS, Anil

Krima (8)
[2007-07-04 10:54]

EXCELLENT!!!!
My best regards,
Crina

trinko (4321)
[2007-07-04 10:54]

great action capture wonderful focus good DOF nice background good colors.
no points left will return

pownage89 (42)
[2007-07-04 10:58]

What a breath taking shot. I love the detail of each individual hair along the abdomin and thorax. Terrific shot. Congrats!

Cedric

SelenE (13972)
[2007-07-04 11:08]

Hi Felipe,
Focus, details, sharpness, the freezing of the action and your POV is great. Bravo and TFS
Selen

lise (2877)
[2007-07-04 11:14]

Hi Felipe & Cristina,
Fantastic macro picture! Immaculate sharpness, such rich colour tones.
Bravo!
Lise

taba (1847)
[2007-07-04 11:16]

Hola Felipe
Que grande momento!
No Hay o que decir sobre esta foto..
perfecta!
incre�ble detalles.
TFS
Taba

estival (6117)
[2007-07-04 11:17]

Bravissimo!!! Scatto bellissimo dai meravigliosi dettagli e colori.

Coamplimenti e grazie

Ciao, Emanuele

pirate (7474)
[2007-07-04 12:10]

Hi Felipe and Christina
Absolutely great! Perfect in all aspects: colours sharpness compo
Tfs
Tom

Robbrown (6106)
[2007-07-04 12:21]
[+]

Hi there good to see you old 717 is still doing sterling service, this is a crackingly well detailed image. How did you manage the shot?
yours Robert

nglen (36145)
[2007-07-04 12:25]

Hi Felipe. Excellent macro shot. to get the detail in flight this good you have done very well.the focusing on the body is very good as with the colour. a nice POV and DOF. very good notes. TFS.
Nick..

cysorz (464)
[2007-07-04 12:31]

Hello Felipe, Mateo and Christina!
I am absolutely astounded how could You make this fantastic photo? This insect looks like a "natural rocket" flying with the unbelievable speed! Splendid, superb and magnificent.
Tadeusz

jmp (8415)
[2007-07-04 12:36]

Hola Felipe,
�Una captura en pleno vuelo fuera de lo normal! Que yo recuerde no vi nada igual aqu�. Lo m�s de lo m�s en nitidez, enfoque y exposici�n!! Enhorabuena!
Jos� Miguel

vlaaitje (0)
[2007-07-04 12:52]

O MY GOSH.....THIS IS A CRACKER...SUCH A GORGEOUS DETAILS

cosmln (1952)
[2007-07-04 13:01]

Hi Felipe,

the detail are incredible.
this is the best photo ever seen to a flying hoverfly.
just incredible. a FAV
TFS,
cosmln

Kaszek (1451)
[2007-07-04 13:47]

Hi Felipe,
Olala! What a masterpiece!
Great shot with amazing details. Perfect focusing and exposure.
Fantastic POV and DOF. I love this one :)
TFS

Silke (5458)
[2007-07-04 14:03]

Wow! stunning colours and perfect details! I admire the patience of a man who can capture one of these so perfectly
TFS
silke
(and thanks for your critique of my "Leprechaun"

marhowie (486)
[2007-07-04 14:13]

WOW ZAZAMM! Felipe you went and did it again ;) You had to be right on top of this guy to get this much detail & quality. My hat's off to you. This has to be the clearest & sharpest hoverfly inflight CLOSEUP I've seen on TN in 3 years..really. A treat for the eye.
Very well done.
Howard

Proframe (4096)
[2007-07-04 15:17]

Hello Felipe and Cristina.
Great shot.
I've seen many images of hoovering flies over the past few years, but rarely one that is this sharp and still has the most wonderful movement in the wings.
Perfect shot with lovely soft BG and details.
A ral joy to look at.
Thanks for sharing.
Kindest regards, Harry

bpy (207)
[2007-07-04 15:18]

Hola
Co�.... que buena, son tomas ya de por si de alta dificultad las de esta cernidoras en vuelo, si a eso le a�ades una tremenda nitidez, definici�n y un punto de vista cas� completamente cenital.... excelente toma

bucanas (1113)
[2007-07-04 17:44]

Ola Felipe.
Veri nice shot.Fantastic.
Parabens por seu belo album.
Ralf

deblink (1258)
[2007-07-04 18:16]

Wow Felipe,
This is an amazing capture, what a superb macro. The detail is magnificent, I am very impressed.
Cheers,
Debbie

demeve (6165)
[2007-07-04 21:10]

WOW Felipe,
I love this picture, fantastic colors and the detail of how it flys stretching its legs is amazing, lovely picture, great POV, and composition.. Wonderful BG...Well Done

"I'll Be Back"

manyee (23770)
[2007-07-04 23:30]

Stunning image, Felipe. : )
The details are razor sharp for this dynamic action shot.
The colors are eye-popping.
And what a fantastic POV!!!
TFS. : )

pvs (14464)
[2007-07-04 23:44]

Hi Felipe,

Great macrostuf,excellent inflight capture with great colors,detail and sharpness,well done and tfs

Paul

Jamesp (18906)
[2007-07-04 23:58]

Hi Felipe

A stunning posting with super-sharp detail and colour. Amazing!

James

haraprasan (20403)
[2007-07-05 0:48]

Hi Felipe,
Now this is a capture. Excellent hovering position. Sharp details and good BG. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Mana (18598)
[2007-07-05 0:57]
[+]

Hi Felipe,
A stunning shot. Just spectacular and breath-taking masterpiece. Immaculate sharpness and amazing details here. Colours, focus and lighting are abosulte perfect and the motion blur on its wings looks marvellous. Excellent POV and a superb composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

joey (24909)
[2007-07-05 2:52]
[+]

WOW!!!!!!!
How on earth did you get this shot?!?!?!?
Amazing....simply amazing. :o
Very, very well done,
Joe

sandpiper2 (16757)
[2007-07-05 5:42]

Woow Felipe, what can I say.
Such stunning sharpness.

Sony should use this shot as an example of what the camera can achieve.

Brilliant work my friend.

Chris

jcoowanitwong (13754)
[2007-07-05 6:26]

Hi Felipe,
This is wonderful shot. You freeze this hoverfly in mid air and with 100% sharpness. TFS this eye opening image.
JC

red45 (31094)
[2007-07-05 7:21]

Ha, ha, very funny Felipe, really... I've got raynox for year and don't ever dreamt about shot like this one and you did it just after purchasing yours. Big congratulations my friend!!! I can say one thing - with compact camera and raynox with extremally short DOF it is impossible to make such shot! But you did it!!! HOW????????????????

:-)

Gildasjan (86)
[2007-07-05 8:16]

Hello F�lipe
Excellent framing of this fly into vertical. Excellent management of the parameters of the image. Congratulations.
Good evening.
Cordially
Gildas

meyerd (7531)
[2007-07-05 12:06]

Hi Christina and Felipe,
a dream shot ! I can only marwel about your technique, 1/1000 AND a flash.
My best regards and with my high respect,
Dietrich

saguzar (7202)
[2007-07-05 14:46]

Hola Felipe,
Creo que es la mejor foto que vi de un insecto en vuelo, los detalles son de locura, impactantes, esta foto no est� para diez, est� para veinte!!!
Te recontrafelicito
Saludos
Hern�n

scottevers7 (12309)
[2007-07-05 18:11]

Hi Felipe,

I agree with everyone else. WOW! that is stunning. Great camera work!

Scott

shirgold (2748)
[2007-07-06 5:43]

IMPRESIONANTE!
I would like to know how many shots you had to take until getting this perfection !
Excellent work, truly impressive.
TFS - Shir

Pentaxfriend (8048)
[2007-07-06 14:16]

Hi Felipe and Cristina,

Wonderful sharp inflight shot
Superb compo and details
Great POV and green BG

TFS

fartash (5161)
[2007-07-07 2:41]

Hello Felipe
What a great focusing here on this tiny Hoverfly,
Perfect details,BG and DOF,
Fantastic colors and POV,Superb shot,friend.

Good Luck
Fartash

pablominto (14563)
[2007-07-07 2:56]

Hello Felipe,
It is amazing to see the well streched in-flight legs!
Excellent framing, and the insect comes with great details and fine natural colours...
Greetings,
Pablo -

Photoslave (1199)
[2007-07-07 4:34]

Hi Felipe,

incredible macro shot, excellent moment capture, colors and sharpness.

Well done!

Giorgio

JORAPAVI (4643)
[2007-07-09 4:14]

Hola Felipe y Cris,
Ya quise comentar esta foto y otra mas que tienes de la captura de la ef�mera, pero unas veces porque se me pasa y otras que ando justo de puntos, no lo he hecho hasta ahora, simplemente decirte que una foto as� no la hace cualquiera por mucha m�quina que tenga, hay que tener dotes. Saludos
Jos� Ram�n
Jos� Ram�n

marmottelolo (14697)
[2007-07-09 7:35]

ola felipe
et hola
pour cette photo,combien en avez vous pris pour obtenir une telle reussite?
le flash est un peu present sur le dessus,cela aurait pu etre facilement estomp� en PP je pense.felicitations.
laurent

TAZ (10926)
[2007-07-10 22:47]

Bonjour Felipe,
I did not know that it would possible to add a VLC + a DRC-250... Great result !!! Sharpness and DOF are excellent, so the details on this insect are amazing, the colors too.
BRAVO mon ami,
Chrsitian

zumoduvas (2535)
[2007-07-11 13:14]

Hola Felipe y Cristina.

Que buena asi volando es muy complicado conseguir esa nitidez, me la guardo.

Moita saude.

GLEM (10)
[2007-07-21 7:20]

salut Felipe,
je reviens sur cette image que j'avais manqu�. Une vraie merveilleuse quand on connait la rapidit� de cet insect. Tout est parfait, il faut juste contempler.
tfs
gl

jorg (635)
[2007-08-03 14:23]

Hola Felipe,
Yo tambien me he dado una vuelta por tu galeria y me he quedado con esta foto,porque aqui se ve claramente tu consejo de los detalles finos que me decias,la he comparado con una imagen que tengo muy parecida a esta (bueno,parecida,parecida...tal vez en los colores,jejeje)
y he visto la diferencia.
Saludos,
Joan

AndyB (3982)
[2007-08-08 0:31]

Hi Felipe & Cristina,
I've just been browsing your gallery,your work as always is very impressive and notes informative.
This is a great capture of the hoverfly inflight.
The POV is excellent,nice light and superb detail.
Great work mf,a pleasure to view.

TFS

earthtraveler (3483)
[2008-01-16 1:48]

Amazing shot Filipe!
BRAVO!
Richard

vmukherjee (1472)
[2008-03-30 4:03]

Excellent shot! You have taken this difficult shot almost to perfection.

Tlapp (112)
[2008-04-01 12:23]

WoW! How did get this image that sharp! These little fellas are so darn fast! Hats off!
Rafal

inked (771)
[2008-10-19 22:28]

Hi Felipe,
simply incredible shot. amazing work. tfs
Gethin

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