Beaky

Spying this tiny but quite striking rare snout hoverfly sho0ting round and round the quince blossom this morning it became a game of hot pursuit especially as there were no bees around or anything else for that matter!

The beautiful orangey brown colour of it's abdomen was what initially what struck me which was lovely standing out against the soft pinks of the flowers. Proving an almost impossible insect to photograph as it flew around quickly nonstop round the bush I thought I would never get a shot. It only landed momentarily before flying off again. It doesn't look bee or even wasp like but it's one remarkable feature is the peculiar 'beak' which reaches down into flowers that other hovers can't reach.

It lays it's eggs in cow dung and the male feeds on nectar while the females feed on pollen.

Busy day clearing and dislodging #1 daughter from her Uni digs in Southampton. I seriously don't know how we got all the 'stuff' in the car. Completely knackered now but at least no more rent to pay! All good then!

Our internet has been on and off for days and when it's on it's so very slow - am desperately trying to catch up!!

Got to thank uniqueandlovely for her excellent id on this - spotting there was no black stripe on the abdomen. Am really chuffed knowing it's quite rare too!