I don't pretend to know the identity of this colorful fly—and I don't have it in me this morning to flip through a gazillion images on BugGuide.Net—the best insect ID-ing resource I know—in an exasperating attempt to key it down as to exact species. I suspect it's a member of the Calliphoridae (Blow Flies) family, also known as Bluebottles and Greenbottles.
Calliphoridae comes from the Greek: callos, "beautiful," plus phor, "bearing." A fly bearing beauty. Which is certainly the case. For it was indeed the small fly's dazzling metallic coloring that first caught my eye—turquoise and emerald and ruby-red, shimmering like a jewel in the sunlight.
As I held the camera to my eye and adjusted the fine focus of the lens, I noticed the tiny twisting green vine—scarcely larger in diameter than a human hair—off to the right and adjusted my framing to include it in the photo. And no, I don't know what it is, either.
Ignorance can still be bliss. I do know I like the juxtaposition of the vivid fly and curlycued vine. A bit of mystery only enhances their beauty.
8 comments:
And I like the juxtaposition too Grizz and also the exquisite colours of that fly.
Weaver…
Thank you…I'm glad someone agreed. It might be just a fly, but it's a pretty fly!
HI GRIZZ - I never thought I would see a fly as beautiful, but the colors you captured on that fella are exquisite. Still.....I prefer them no where near me.
Loving this cool weather, makes things easier to manage.
Love to you my friend
Gail
peace....
Gail…
In terms of blow-fly behavior, when I made my photo, the fly was probably "basking"—that is, resting and taking in a bit of sun. Which I understand completely. So fear not, I was merely admiring it's beauty while taking its picture, not thinking of bringing it home for a pet. All things in their place, as an old neighbor of mine used to say.
Cool weather here, too. And I LOVE IT!
Stunning!
Giggles…
Glad to have stunned you!
I'm with Gail on this one--it's a lovely photo of a fly...and now, fly begone.
You certainly do take gorgeous photos.
KGMom…
Not counting flies of the "biting" species, I guess I mostly view them nonchalantly—unless, of course, they are making annoying pests of themselves. I don't want them buzzing around inside the house, or alighting on my food—in or out. But flies come in great variety and abundance, and serve us quite indispensably in their own way. As the pix shows, when you look close, many of them are also incredibly colorful; great photo subjects.
Thank you re. photos. I do try and post good images—both technically and artistically. Don't always succeed, though…but that's the goal.
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