Tag Archives: flies

Relaxing at the Pond

Posted on April 4, 2015 by

I spent some time at our pond today, just getting my head on straight.  Of course, what I call a pond might not meet everyone’s definition.  And what I think of as relaxing would would also not be viewed as … Continue reading →

Posted in diptera, insects, invertebrates, snails | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

More Fly Beauty

Posted on January 24, 2014 by

If you look around at nature you can find beauty everywhere, even in such an unlikely group as the flies.   Sure, the flower is beautiful.  But what about those red eyes?

Posted in diptera, insects | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Iowa’s Flies

Posted on October 1, 2013 by

I have another website that I work on at times, The Poweshiek Skipper Project.  I have decided to put together some pages on the flies of Iowa–I won’t roll it out to the public for a while–probably several months at … Continue reading →

Posted in diptera | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Fly in the Asters

Posted on September 29, 2013 by

This bee mimic fly was getting nectar from the asters this morning.  It seems to be in the genus Helophilus.

Posted in diptera, insects | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Small Flies

Posted on May 28, 2013 by

It was a rainy Memorial Day weekend.  We did the visitations of the graves in the rain.  We had some chores we had to do in the rain as well.  Finally, after a rainy Monday morning, the clouds went away … Continue reading →

Posted in diptera, insects | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Flies and Peony Buds

Posted on May 14, 2013 by

Peony flower buds secrete a sugary fluid this time of year, and that fluid attracts a number of insects, especially flies and ants.  I have not heard an explanation that seems very likely to me.  I have been thinking about it and … Continue reading →

Posted in insects | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Red-eyed Fly

Posted on April 30, 2013 by

I was feeling a little uninspired tonight, but I wondered around with the camera anyway.  I found this small red-eyed fly. I find flies pretty cool–I am sure that puts me in a minority within the human race.  I have … Continue reading →

Posted in diptera, insects | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Spider, the Bee, and the Fly

Posted on September 1, 2012 by

I stopped by Conard Environmental Research Area, a prairie/savannah reconstruction and restoration owned by Grinnell College.  It is a pretty good area to find butterflies, but today was a little too overcast and windy for them.  I still had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Biological diversity, diptera, insects | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

A Colorful Little Fly

Posted on August 9, 2012 by

I found this fly, Delphinia picta on our apple tree.  This is a very colorful fly. I have no profound thoughts or observations on its life cycle.  I just find it beautiful.

Posted in diptera, insects | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Shaking a Sexy Leg

Posted on July 23, 2012 by

Saturday I ran across an interesting fly as I was photographing insects. This is a shore fly, apparently in the genus Ochthera.  Notice that it has enlarged front legs.  It seems that they are able to use them in a … Continue reading →

Posted in diptera, insects | Tagged , , | Leave a comment