Laying Eggs...

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:26 pm

EOS 20D
Manual mode/hand held
1/125 sec. @ f/7.1 ISO 200
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 macro

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:10 pm

Fascinating -- great behavior shot!

Do you happen to know what kind of fly this was? (I can't tell, from this angle.

)

--Rik

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:09 am

Have no idea Rik as to the ID. I started to search bugguide but didn't have the patience to brows through all the flies and whatnot at the time. I was unsure that it was a fly even but the head suggests that it is. The thing kept making a loud buzzing noise as it laid the eggs and I did not notice the eggs being laid, until I downloaded the image. I ran across this thing in Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard, N.C.

jaharris1001 · Post by **jaharris1001** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 3:23 pm

very cool image Ken,,, doesnt look like there was much left to that leaf or branch she was on there,, something been eating at it?

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Aug 13, 2007 5:44 pm

Probably caterpillars Jim. Most everything up here is drying up and looks as though something has been eating on it. We need rain, a slow steady one...even if it does spoil a weekend or two, maybe three.

Bruce Williams · Post by **Bruce Williams** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:18 pm

This is an excellent action shot Ken. I wonder if anyone has ever photographed this particular species laying eggs before? Be nice to think that this could be a first.

Bruce

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:33 pm

I would imagine that someone probably has photographed this thing before while laying eggs. The only thing I have ever been first at is "at the dinner table." Here it is from another angle. I don't know what kind of fly this is or even if it is a fly.

jmlphoto · Post by **jmlphoto** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:40 pm

very nice photo, you got there at just the right moment. ive seen a few of these type of fly's locally though they are a bit darker. i might have seen one like that now that i think about it what was the size if you remember?

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:24 pm

jmlphoto asked:

i might have seen one like that now that i think about it what was the size if you remember?

Been so long ago now, hmm...let me see. Maybe about 1.5cm or 15mm, somewhere there abouts.

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:12 pm

Super job! I'm envious that you caught this on "film".

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:26 am

Thanks Mike. Just being in the right place at the right time I guess.

jaharris1001 · Post by **jaharris1001** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 5:26 am

very cool seeing that from a different angle there Ken,, I thought it looked more like a moth of some sort from the first angle,, the second angle looks more like a fly, like you said,, I dont know that I've ever seen one of those before !! Thanks again for sharing

Gordon C. Snelling · Post by **Gordon C. Snelling** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 7:13 am

Very interesting critter, no question it is a fly, but beyond that I have no idea.
Rather has a "Bee fly" look though.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:33 pm

It does have a faint resemblance to a bee but the head really gives it away as being some sort of fly I think. Still not sure as to what it is.

Thanks Gordon/Jim