Marmalade Hover Fly, Heesch, Netherlands

Probably a freshly emerged female. It's still very clean and undamaged and spent a lot of time with wings folded. It's a female because the male of this species (and any other hoverfly species) have eyes that touch each other (blend).

comments (10)

Christine Young

Lion

Fresh fly and a perfect shot. I LOVE the lighting. Has the diffuser been scaring subjects? Are you using it off-camera? Posted 3 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Still figuring it out, but some early results:
  
  With my 1:1 macro, which is 105mm so gives some working distance to the subject it's mostly OK. It's definitely more intimidating but it's not like I spook all subjects.
  
  With my 2:1 macro, as used on this photo, I have to get far closer to the subject. Where spooking them is then more likely, a far bigger issue is that I simply can't reach the subject at all, as the diffuser blocks me, for example near bushes.
  
  This last bit (2:1) was just a tryout, I don't often use it in the field, it's a very difficult lens to use.
  
  For now, I think this diffuser would be most viable during night tours in our travel. Subjects tend to be stable and cooperative then.
  
  Oh, and this one is on-camera. Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Interesting. I find that it also depends on the subject. When using my larger diffuser, a butterfly will scare much more easily than a beetle. But, I don't usually use it for butterflies anyway because I prefer my long lens with skittish subjects.
    
    I keep forgetting to send you a pic of it, but I'm mostly planning to use my diffuser that is somewhat similar in shape to yours, on mushrooms and indoor photography. Other than that, it's not practical for me in the field because it doesn't fold up and so would be annoying to carry when not in use. Plus, I crawl around too much in the woods and the size of the diffuser would be a problem. Hiking off-trail requires me to scamper and squeeze through rocks /over downed trees/through brambles/muck through swamps. I think my diffuser will be really useful for backyard photography or in more open settings, too. But, I'm most excited to try it on mushrooms. Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Agree that a large rigid diffuser has its challenges in the field. There's most definitely fold-able diffusers that make it easier for tight situations.
      
      With mushrooms, I find off-camera flash, for example flash from the side to be quite beautiful. Mushrooms tend to not be super reflective most of the time so a giant diffuser is not strictly needed, although it would still improve shadows.
      
      In any case, have fun experimenting! Posted 3 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Ohhh, shows what I know. ;P Some mushrooms are reflective if they are wet or slimy, but that's only a problem when it rains. I wonder if one of the Litra cubes would be helpful for mushroom lighting -- off camera? What do you think? I have the little diffuser caps and also the larger snap on diffuser. Posted 3 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        I've actually been wanting to try that myself for a long time now. The mushroom season here is somewhat short and typically aligns with our remote travel, hence I keep missing it.
        
        Anyway, I see no reason as to why it would not work. The only difference between flash and continuous lighting is that flash is more powerful, so with continuous lighting you need a slower shutter speed, which is fine for a stationary subject. Also, you can preview continuous light, whilst you can't preview flash. Posted 3 years ago, modified 3 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        I'm going to try it! I have lots of plans for mushroom season already -- try new lighting (Litra and also some small LED tea lights to add a glow), take some spore prints, and use reagents to help with species ID. Fun stuff! Posted 3 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Ambitious, love the sound of it! Posted 3 years ago

William Bodine

Lion

This caught my attention because of the iridescent wings against the soft green. The brown, tan and gold colors are all very complimentary and the angle of the fly draw me to the eyes. Posted 3 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you, William, appreciate it. Posted 3 years ago

The Marmalade Hover Fly

"Episyrphus balteatus", sometimes called the marmalade hoverfly, is a relatively small hoverfly of the Syrphidae family, widespread throughout the Palaearctic region, which covers Europe, North Asia, and North Africa.

Info 61 0

Similar species: True Flies

Species identified by Ferdy Christant