Dolichopus

I think this tiny - not much bigger than a mosquito - fly is a member of the family Dolichopodidae. It was in our stainless steel sink in the kitchen when I noticed it. Fortunately the sink was empty and it - though puzzled at what had befallen it - was in no immediate danger. I think it came in on the greens The Husband had picked earlier. Anyway, after a brief photo session I encouraged it to step onto a small piece of paper and took it back outdoors to continue its normal life. They are such beautiful things, these long-legged flies!

The extra is a Monarch butterfly that fluttered up to us while we were returning from our walk, down the edge of that hayfield. We had, as it happened, just been discussing milkweed and there it suddenly was! The most miraculous thing is that I took the photo with my iPhone! I nearly got close enough to touch it!! The flower it's on is clover, not milkweed. I believe it was a male - though you can't see that in this photo.