Among the many reasons we encourage wildflowers in the yard are the insects. And among the reasons we encourage Daisy Fleabanes are the various species of Syrphid or Hoverflies they attract. And among the many reasons I like to see these flies here are those stained glass-like wings. I enjoy capturing prismatic colors when possible, usually during the winter in ice, but these flower flies often display the colors too.
Margined Calligrapher-Toxomerus marginatus. Not all flies are pests and these are useful pollinators. And as with most insects, excepting mosquitoes and ticks (yes I know they have their place but…), are useful members of any yard’s ecology. They not only help with pollination but their larvae feed on other insects that need controls such as aphids.
I’m not big on keeping up with all the new equipment and am befuddled by the number of photographers who drop thousands annually on the latest and greatest. But I have been chasing insects in the yard for a long time with my old 40D. So I decided to upgrade to a 7D Mark II. B&H had a good used one at a reasonable price. This is my first posted image from the camera and so far so good. A bit of a learning curve between the two bodies but similar enough to the 5D MarkIV’s operation.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
I enjoy seeing that iridescence in the hoverflies’ wings, too. Having a white petal as a background really helped to emphasize it here.
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I was worried that the wings would sort of disappear against the petals but they do hold their own.
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Happy new. I used the original 7D for years. Like the previous Canon models I’d passed through, including the 40D, its cropped sensor gave me extra close-up power. I sometimes still miss that in the full-frame models I’ve had since then.
We have Toxomerus marginatus in Austin, too.
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My first digital camera was the 10D with a cropped sensor. WHen I stepped up to the 5D the lack of a cropped sensor didn’t bother me because I could crop if needed. I’m still getting used to the 7D Mark II. Using that grid even when spot metering is a bit distracting. I imagine it can be turned off but I am just now reading this book which I only received yesterday. It did not come with a manual or the original box.
Yes, they are common in most states in the U.S. absent only in Wyoming and Idaho.
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If you want a digital copy of Canon’s manual, it’s available:
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/cameras/eos-dslr-and-mirrorless-cameras/dslr/eos-7d-mark-ii?tab=manuals
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Thanks!
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Fabulous shot, even capturing the iridescence in the wings. Nice, Steve!!
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Thanks, Donna. I’ve been fortunate a few times with the iridescence.
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Crisp image with your new, used camera, Steve!
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Thanks, Peter. New to me.
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Excellent details across the frame. This is the moment for fleabane, I see it everywhere now. And you identified the syrphid fly species (!).
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Thanks, Tom.. My yard is full of them and yes, I am seeing them everywhere. A banner year. I was aided by iNaturalist. For a change they hit it correct on the first try. But I always defer to BG.N before feeling I have it correct and Tom Murray’s book helped too.I also referred to Field Guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America too.
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Very nice Steve! And congratulations on your 7D MkII camera! I still use my original 7D body quite a lot and shooting Camera Raw files the older cameras still produce excellent images! They tend to become “old friends” and you feel comfortable using them!
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Thanks, Reed. It is a change from the 40D for sure so it’ll take some getting used to. This image is a good start.
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Well, a first image like that from any camera would bring a smile to my face! Very nice.
The Fleabane and Hoverflies are both common and, separately, quite attractive. Add the two together as you have and the synergistic effect is magical!
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Thanks, Wally. Hoverflies are delightful little creatures and when the light hits those wings just right they become magical.
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Great detail Steve! The wings are really pretty.
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Thanks, Denise. Insects are just constant sources of beauty with the right attitude.
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Viewed through your lens, Steve, it is a work of art!
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Thanks, Eliza! Nature’s artistic creations.
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The colours in the wings are really pretty! very glistening 🙂
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Thanks, Liz! They are always a treat to see and photograph.
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Beautiful photo and some great thoughts about the benefits of various bug species. It reminds me of discussions about that species that resembles mosquitos… can’t recall the name right now. As for gear, I used to feel the upgrade urge far more than I do now. These days I need a really good reason to either upgrade or add to the collection. I hope this new one works really well for you. Despite the learning curve I often enjoy getting to know a new piece of gear, especially if it can do something useful to me that my old gear couldn’t, or couldn’t as well.
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You might be thinking of crane flies. As humans we discount the importance of insects to what makes the world go around. As well, most folks have no idea what part they play in our food supply.
About the only time I’ve lusted after gear has been when the improvement is so great that the benefits outweigh the literal costs. I’ve figured some of what I need to do to get the 7D Mark II to operate as I need but there is still a lot to learn and most of its capabilities are not of use to me as is the case with most modern cameras.
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Beautiful photo yes these insects help not only pollination but also useful for ecology. Well shared 🌹👍
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Thank you, Priti. Very true.
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Welcome 🌹stay happy 😊
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The concept of “stained-glass wings” never crossed my mind, but I quite like it. Thanks for giving me a new term.
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Glad the term appeals, Tanja. I can’t remember if I heard it elsewhere or came up with it on my own but it certainly fits here.
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You should claim it for yourself. 😊
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