The simple hoverfly may not look like much. It is a ubiquitous visitor to my gardens throughout the summer, and an often-unappreciated pollinator. Generally smaller than a dime, the hoverfly lives up to its name, hovering in place before zipping away.
Hoverflies are mimics – their coloration may lead people to initially assume they are a small bee – and with any luck, potential predators will think the same thing!
As flies go, however, it is unusually tolerant of being photographed. I’ve yet to manage an aerial shot, but when they alight on blossoms they tend to remain stationary for several shots at close range. I’ve come to look forward to working with the, and am much more aware of their presence in my garden.