When I first saw some tiny little flies buzzing around in the garden of my neighbor and photography mentor Cindy Dyer, I knew that they were not bees. I could tell that they were hover flies, because of the way they acted, or perhaps you know them as flower flies, because of where they can be found most often.
As I observed the flies, I was attracted to the beautiful, elaborate patterns on their bodies and realized that this was a different species of hover fly than I was used to seeing. Unfortunately, according to Wikipedia, there are over six thousand hover fly species worldwide. How could I possibly identify this species?
I was shocked, amazed, and delighted when a Facebook viewer informed me that this species is known as the Eastern Calligrapher Fly (Toxomerus geminatus). I love the thought of someone hand drawing the delicately etched pattern with pen and ink, creating a miniature work of art.
If you want to learn more fun facts about this cool little fly, check out an article from riveredgenaturecenter.org entitled “Bug o’the Week–Eastern Calligrapher Fly” by clicking on the name of the article.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Certainly is a beautiful hoverfly, well spotted Mike!
Thanks. At that moment I was shooting with a 60mm macro lens, so I was amazingly close to my subject, but it tolerated my hovering presence pretty well.
Amazing details and patterns when zooming in!
Thanks, Chris. I love macro lenses and took this with my shortest one, a Canon 60mm lens. The shorter lens makes it a little easier to hold steady, but you have to get pretty close to the subject.
It does look like someone put a lot of time into illustrating it. Lovely photos, Mike.
Thanks, Dan. Over the last year or so, I have gotten into fountain pens and I have learned about all of the different kinds of nibs that you can put on them. One of the distinctive characteristics of the calligraphy nibs is that it allow for a high degree of line variation, effortlessly switching from a thin line to a thicker one. That is what I was thinking of when I looked at this fly–the pattern is so much more interesting than simple stripes.
I enjoyed calligraphy for many years, Mike. I think I still have a box of pens and nibs.
After years of not using cursive writing at all except for my signature, I have found myself slipping into some of it as I write with one of my fountain pens. I did buy a beginner calligraphy set with a dip pen and nibs, though I am more interested in trying it for drawing than for calligraphy.
One of my favorite tips was a steel brush. I got pretty good with it. I wish I had kept up with it. Maybe…
Great shots of a stunning insect. Perfection in miniature.
Great shots, Mike. Look how big those eyes are!
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
Impressive find!!
Syrphids are beautiful little flies As you mentioned, they are most often seen on, or hovering over, flowers. If you like calligraphy-like patterns you might like these leaf beetles. Not really calligraphy but beautiful design as only Mother Nature can create. I like the stained glass effect you caught in the wings.
Those leaf beetles are definitely cool bugs, Steve, though I must confess that I have never seen any like that during my adventures.
I’ve found a couple but just this one made it onto the blog…2nd down. Insects offer us endless patterns and behaviors. I lack the discipline to focus on one interest but they do attract our attention.
Wow, doesn’t get much better than these.
Nice detail Mike!
My mom was an accountant and loved fountain pens; her passion rubbed off on me, too. I have a fair, if modest collection, and there is a special feeling when using a good one. I’ve also studied calligraphy and still find it a fascinating hobby–but it’s easy to get out of practice if you don’t keep it up!
Oh, and your hover fly–I’ve never met one I didn’t like, and I’ve met many that I have liked very well indeed. This one’s a real beauty!
That is a wonderful little beauty of a hoverfly there, Mike. I really like those fine details you have captured. Oddly enough we must be working in tangent again because I am about to post a hoverfly photo of my own which I snapped today.
I will send this post on to Benjamin for his perusal and enjoyment. I’m quite certain that he will recognize this “bug”. We had noticed this hoverfly or one very similar in my garden the past few years. I thought that they were some sort of bee or wasp, until my neighbor told me that they are syrphids. She said that they are the best friend gardeners can have and are good flies unlike the detested common housefly. Unbeknownst to me then, I now know that there are good flies too! Thank-you, Mr. Mike!
Indeed there are lots of good flies. I thought that this species of hover fly was new to me, but when I went over some of my other shots of syrphid flies I noticed that I had seen it before. Since Benjamin likes details, he might enjoy comparing the different patterns of other syrphid flies I have photographed, like this one https://michaelqpowell.com/2013/09/06/not-hovering/ and https://michaelqpowell.com/2014/10/29/fall-flower-fly/ .
[…] of my blogging buddies, Mike and Pete, have just posted images of hover flies, and I feel inspired to add one of my own. No, I […]
A never-ending source of education and amazement. Thank you.
The more I shoot, the more I am prompted to research my subjects, which results in more information, which stimulate me to go out and take more photos. It’s my personal circle of life.
And I am a fortunate beneficiary. Thank you.