As the days grow colder, I am trying to capture images of almost any insect that I can find.
I was particularly happy this weekend when I came across this little flower fly (also called a hoverfly or syrphid fly) on a beautiful reddish-purple leaf. The leaf made for a simple backdrop that lets you see some of the details of the fly’s body, including the incredible compound eyes and the antennae.
I was also pleased that the out-of-focus area behind the lead is a orange-red color that seems appropriate for this autumn season.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Great shot and perfect composition.
Nice shot Mike and above average alliteration! 🙂
I was going to add the word “photo” to the title, but thought that might be a bit of overkill in the alliteration department.
I’d have gone with that but that maybe says more about me!
The colors really say fall. Nice shot!
Thanks, Allen. In many ways the image is as much about those fall colors as it is about the hoverfly.
I find the photo of the leaf almost as impressive as the insect that is your focus.
Thanks, Charlie. As you look at that beautiful leaf, you can see how shallow my depth of field was for the shot, with some elements of the leaf in sharp focus and others much softer.
really nice photo in all respects!