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If anyone can help in identifying these little airy-buzzers, it would be well appreciated.
All weekend little buzzy things have been hovering around our Lambs Ears (Stachys Byzantium). Some appear quite peaceful just wanting a quiet life, whilst others are quite aggressive.
This little hoverfly (Syrphus Ribesii or Episyrphus Balteatus - see Ricky's comments below) is very light and manoeuvrable. It flies well,can hover on the spot and turn on a sixpence, but it’s a bit dopey and it’s certainly not supreme in a dogfight.
Of all the little bugs, this little green fly (Dasyphora Cyanella?) is the easiest to photograph despite being the quickest mover. This is because they have set spaces to land on the plant. As soon as one departs another arrives. For all I know they might have their own little air traffic control centre and fly in a stack waiting to come down.
You might think that this Buff-tailed humble bee (Bomus Terretris?) would be the supreme power over the lambs ears, but it isn't. Take a look at it's nose and you'll see that this little thing has a terrible cocaine habit. She doesn't even know what day of the week it is.
Quick, wipe your nose clean or people might mistake you for Robbie Fowler [i.dailymail.co.uk]
Here comes the king. This rules the skies above the lambs ears with a rod of iron.
I think it's a Carder Bee (Anthidium Manicatum), but I'm not sure. It's big - though not as big as the humble, it can hover and it can be pretty mean and aggressive.
Twice this weekend, I have seen them chase humbles away. Though it happens so quick I've not had a chance to capture it. This shot was taken a 1/1250s and it's wings are still a blur.
Here we see two of them trying to beat the world Bee-speed record by using a special arrangement of contra-rotating wings. Either that or they're just enjoying a nice little game of Hide the Sausage.
great set esp #2