Merodon Equestris

A nice start to the day, but a bit cooler than over the past few days. As rain is forecast a fairly long walk at lunchtime. In an area where the grass had been cut a few days ago, I spot this fly, Merodon Equestris. It is a hover fly, but is also bumblebee mimic, pretending to have a sting so that it won't be predated. This is the only bumblebee mimic that flies in low vegetation.

After lunch, it clouds over, but the rain doesn't start until after 3pm. By the time I finish work, the rain is much heavier, so no afternoon walk. Just a bit dull. So a quiet end to the day.