Hi Janice,
Ivan is quite right.
This isn't a Mason Bee but a Black or American Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens, quite easily distinguished by thoe white bands on the back legs :)
You can find it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermetia_illucens

Thanks for posting such a fine photo of such an amazing creature, with such an interesting note. This is exactly what I was looking for.
Fantastic work !

Hi Ron, I wish could view this because it looks great from the thumbnail & everyone else seems to like it. Sadly, I can only get it to load the top 2cm, the rest is all grey. I've gone off the page & back to it a few times but no luck yet ..... I'll try again later.

Beautiful colours. I wouldn't have thought this was an orchid at first glance. It is quite unlike anything we have here in New Zealand.
Interesting to read the origin of the word orchid too. I never knew.
TFS
Steve

Wonderful shot Luciano. What a beautiful spring photo, and I've learned something. I never realised that there were flowers called Snowflakes. I would have thought these were Snowdrops if it wasn't for your note. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers
Steve

Lovely capture Brenda. What a beautiful coloured butterfly.
We have nothing like these occurring naturally in New Zealand.
In fact, I only see a few butterflies each year, usually Cabbage Whites or Admirals. You are so lucky to have these.
Cheers
Steve

How to make a raptor look like a dove ;)
Great capture Tom. (BTW ... I had to look twice at that word metabates ... thought he was doing something other than preening ;)

Wonderful cature Zahoor. The pose is perfect to show off the coloured throat. Nicely composed too. Well done.
Cheers
Steve

Nice one Nick. Lovely shot.
Great character in this capture.

This is a plant I'm very familiar with, having done lots of caving.
These are often around cave entrances. In the South Island we have Tree Nettles intead !