This monstrosity whizzed past my head as if to try to intimate me. It is much bigger than an ordinary fly. And those wings! Someone asked if it is a horsefly. No, it is called a "Patterned-wing fly" (xenox tigrinus). This beast just might be big enough to haul off a Peanut M&M or two, but not half-the-bag, so I let it be..
When I got out of the office, I heard a LOUD cicada in a small tree and stopped to see if I could spot it. Then the sound stopped, and I dropped my gaze from the branches and accidentally saw it on the trunk. I didn't expect that. I took the compact point-n-shoot from my pocket and snapped a picture. This thing must have realized that I was watching, so it started sloooooowly sidestepping, until it was on the side of the tree. That's more obvious than the first hiding place! Big head... little brain.
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14 comments:
Big man with small camera - did good.
You got some good pictures with a point-and-shoot camera. I'm glad you didn't get carried off by that fly.
Its a Bugs Life!
what an interesting and ugly beast.... and I like the yellow lichen on the bark of the tree.
In other words Imac... Portly Porthos and his diminutive digicam? ;-)
Hey, I'm in good shape. After all, round is a shape. (lol)
I didn't think to check George, but I'm sure that while it hung around, that the spiders stayed nervously in hiding.
More like the Boogey Man, Mr. Dave.
Q: What does a 500 pound canary say?
A: Here, kitty-kitty.
Who, me or the fly, Shammy? I lichen the bark, too; it's pretty.
Your little camera did a fantastic job!
Well, having read my piece on the cicada-killer wasps, you know how some of them end up. It's quite amazing to see one of the wasps carrying it's bounty of a cicada. They wrap their legs around it and fly directly into their nest with it. If they miss the entrance to the nest, they either have to let the cicada go or risk their own legs - they can't land and still hold onto it. If they make the nest, I assume they just drop it and then put out their landing gear. Fascinating, in any case.
I have never seen a patterned-wing fly before. The wing of it is very unique even though it is creepy. I fear bugs and that is just look HUGE! Nice picture taking.
Latest news flash: Twins have arrived.... doubled my grandchild count in one fell swoop! WOOHOO!!!!! I'm a happy Nana.
Great shots! I think you're so watchful to capture those flies.
Cassy from Acoustic Guitar Lessons
Such interesting critters, very well caught.
It's my wife's camera, EG. Lately, I've been carrying it with me everywhere. I guess if she needs it, she will ask me to borrow her own camera. (lol)
Suldog, now that I know that they do not go after people, I am honestly hoping to see one of these some day. If anyone is interested, here is a link to the post we're talking about.
Thank you for visiting, Shenese. Welcome! Yes, that fly was huge. Initially we were debating whether it was a horse-fly or a flying horse! ;-)
Congratulations Grammy Shammy!!! From all accounts, you are a wonderful grandma. Those kids are so blessed.
That's very kind of you, Cassy. I certainly do love finding new and interesting things.
They sure are loud, though. Denise, I just can't get over how incredibly noisy cicadas can be.
amazing how well the camoflage isn't it?
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