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Sicily spring colours / 2


Sicily spring colours / 2
Photo Information
Copyright: Marcello Romano (marcellr) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 208 W: 38 N: 1012] (3514)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-03-09
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50, Raynox DCR 250 macro lens
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/250 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-03-14 14:24
Viewed: 528
Points: 36
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
DIPTERA, SYRPHIDAE

Episyrphus balteatus (De Geer, 1776) / Marmalade Hoverfly

Like most other hoverflies, Episyrphus balteatus is a Batesian mimic – harmless but closely resembling a dangerous or distasteful model – in this case having the appearance of a solitary wasp.
It is just one of a large number of hoverflies (family Syrphidae) with narrow bodies, and with abdomens barred with black and yellow – though in this case the yellow tends towards orange. Many of these are in the tribe Syrphini ('tribe' is a sometimes-used classificatory rank between genus and family) and at one time were in the genus Syrphus, though this genus is now split up into a number of separate genera. They are a difficult group, but E. balteatus stands out by having secondary black bands on the 3rd and 4th tergites (dorsal plates) of the abdomen. The posterior margins of these tergites are heavily banded with black, but towards the anterior margins are the smaller, often broken bands, that in shape remind this author of a stick-on false moustache! The development of these bands is, however, variable.
A further identification character is provided by the faint, grey, dorsal stripes running longitudinally on the thorax – not always conspicuous but easily seen on the photographed individual.
E. balteatus is one of our most common and widespread hoverflies, throughout most of the year and in a variety of habitats including urban gardens (though the photographs shown here are from chalk downland). It visits a variety of flowers for nectar.
Here it is on Calendula sp..
boreocypriensis, Bass, jeanpaul, jcoowanitwong, mariki, xTauruSx, meyerd has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Ciao amico Marcello,
Another splendid close up cature of this beautiful composition. The spring colours of Sicily are fabulous my friend. TFS this beauty,
Cheers,
Bayram

Excepcional colorido del díptero ... y de la flor.Suavidad y elegancia en los colores y buen encuadre.
La foto sí era de hoy, la de Pyrgus.

Abrazo Marcello:

Josep Ignasi

  • Great 
  • Bass Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 101 W: 0 N: 115] (465)
  • [2008-03-14 17:11]

Ciao Marcello,
what an amazing macro! great details over the flower and the bee. very good use of light, perfect focus, great POV.
The pic is very well presented, with a good BG.
great work, complimets!!!
TFS
have a nice weekend!
Brenda

Bonjour Marcello
Encore une photo très bien réussite de cette belle fleur aux teintes d.orangée, bons détails, c' est super bien fait,en plus il y a cette guêpe en prime.
bravo et merci du partage et amitiés ...JP

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1673 W: 24 N: 4859] (15850)
  • [2008-03-14 18:28]

Hi Marcello,
Wonderful shot Very impressive with fantastic colours and details. Perfect lighting and exposure and the focus is spot-on. Excellent clarity, DOF, POV and composition. Kudos.
TFS.
Sumon

Ciao Marcello,
Lovely fresh colors of spring. Well focused and exposed image. Very nice composition. TFS this fine image.
JC

Hi Marcello,
Amzing shot with great clarity, details, POV, DOF and colors. Just the right amount if light used.

Crystal Clear!!

TFS
Kirti

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 823 W: 4 N: 2034] (9572)
  • [2008-03-14 19:47]

Marcello, WOW superb shot. I like the angle and also the clarity and the sharpness. Good colors and well controlled timing. I can see that the bee is hanging and not firmly grounded on the floor. Well done friend. Ganesh

Ciao Marcello,
This is a very good macro with a fine image of bee and beautiful flower!
perfect sharpness, awesome colour and details in the shot
you had done very well and a good notes too
many thanks
ciao
Tony

Wow Marcello!Amazing shot.Very nice details,composition and colors.TFS.
Makkala

Hello Marcello,

Superb picture of this hover fly. Superb sharpness and clarity. Wonderful colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

Ciao Marcello. superbi i colori della tua isola e bella questa mosca col pigiama a strisce che fa finta di saper pungere, ottima nitidezza e splendida messa a fuoco, bravo, ciao Silvio

Hello Marcello,
Lovely and perfect macro with beautiful vivvid colours. Great composition. TFS. Regards,
Deniz

clean and bright macro, sharp and well composed
regards
jo

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 905 W: 5 N: 2362] (8848)
  • [2008-03-15 16:50]

Ciao Marcello,un'altro scatto eccezionale degno della tua galleria,pure la fortuna di trovare l'ape su un fiore coloratissimo che aumenta il colpo d'occhio..beh complimenti,Luciano

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1104 W: 0 N: 1792] (7678)
  • [2008-03-17 0:27]

Bonjour Marcello,
Beautiful presentation of the Balteatus Hoverfly on this orange flower. Looks really like spring with these fresh colours. That the picture has been taken at Segesta Temple brings a lot of memories back to me. This is one of the most beautiful places in Europe.
Best thank
Anne

Still me Marcello,
this one is again a great shot, I like so much many details especially in the wings,
very well done my friend,
Pat

Hi Marcello, again,
yes, the Syrphids are pretty, you got it razorsharp here, and in early spring! The same species occurs much later here in Switzerland, after having crossed the alps. You awake good souvenirs of my bicycle trip to Sicily at the end of March, long ago!
Best regards
Dietrich

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