Tag Archives: syrphid fly

Photo of the Week – May 25, 2018

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One of the big advantages of a prairie garden is that when good photography lighting conditions appear, it only takes me a few steps to find possible photo subjects.  Since I’m hobbling around on crutches right now, that short distance is an even bigger perk.

Yesterday, I enjoyed a few minutes photographing prairie spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis) in our garden.  A couple tiny hover flies (Syrphidae) were visiting the spiderwort flowers as well.  While these flies are usually characterized as pollinators, that might not be completely accurate.  Because they aren’t fuzzy, the flies probably don’t do much pollen transport, and essentially just “steal” pollen from the flowers.  I wonder if they steal enough to have any significant impact?  Regardless, through my macro lens, I was able to watch one repeatedly deploy its tongue as it fed on the bright yellow pollen.

Oh, and there were still some dew drops on the leaves, so I photographed one of those too.

Enjoy your long holiday weekend (if you’re in the U.S.), everyone!

 

 

Photo of the Week – November 20, 2014

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It’s been a cold week, though we’re finally starting to warm up again.  As a way to feel a little less chilly, I went back through some photos from the summer and found these three shots from late August.  All three show indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) in a small prairie here in Aurora, Nebraska.  It’s a distinctive and attractive grass, especially when it’s in full bloom.  Enjoy!

Indiangrass in flower. Lincoln Creek Prairie, Aurora, Nebraska.

Indiangrass in flower. Lincoln Creek Prairie, Aurora, Nebraska.

More of the same, but from a little further away.

A similar shot of a different plant, but from a little further away.

This hover fly (aka syrphid fly or flower fly) was taking advantage of the pollen on indiangrass. While grasses are wind pollinated, flies and bees are often seen feeding on them as well (including corn plants).

This hover fly (aka syrphid fly or flower fly) was taking advantage of the pollen on indiangrass. While grasses are wind pollinated, that doesn’t mean flies and bees can’t feed on them as well (which has led to some negative impacts on bees from pest control strategies in corn fields – since corn is just a big grass).