Comment from Sange
Holy too close to a Hornet Mary!
Not a hover fly. A fine close up on this with nice clarity and exposure!
Be careful not to get too close...
Nice find and capture!

 Comment Written 17-May-2015

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reply by the author on 17-May-2015

Thanks Sange a few have told me how dangerous these can be will stay clear next time :-)

Comment from Susan F. M. T.
Mary,
You need to keep your distance from this insect it's a Wasp & they can sting. (The Antennae are like those of a Bee not the paddle like ones of the fly & the eyes are much smaller than the Hover Fly's large usually red ones.) A fantastic macro shot bringing us face to face with the black & yellow striped Wasp. Beautiful lighting & framing with superb camera techniques & sharp focus.
Susan

 Comment Written 04-May-2015

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reply by the author on 04-May-2015

Thanks Susan, I have been told by a couple of other reviewers that it is a wasp and warned me also. Luckily I was a reasonable distance but will make sure I am further next time :) Mary

Comment from photobeat
glad it didn't fly away mary, your close up shots are amazing, details and color balance are excellent, well done, beny ")

 Comment Written 03-May-2015

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reply by the author on 03-May-2015

Thanks Beny, appreciate your positive comments. Glad I didn't get too close have been told that it is a type of wasp with nasty sting. :) Mary

Comment from NancyJTubb
Very nice close shot of an unusual fly. Your colors focus and detail on the fly are excellent, very nice depth of field blurring the background so the main focus is on the fly. Nicely done.

 Comment Written 01-May-2015

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reply by the author on 02-May-2015

Thanks Nancy I appreciate your positive feedback :-)

Comment from gidavidson
Very sharp focus, looks like a bee/wasp for sure. Colorful, focused and framed and very well done to show the eyes and face.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-May-2015

Thanks George I appreciate your positive feedback :-) mary

Comment from suzannethompson2
Excellent close up of this colourful little bug. I like the angle you used for this showing his big eyes seemingly staring at you. The softened background really makes him stand out.

Lighting and focus very good showing great detail. Very good composition. Suzanne

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-May-2015

Thanks Suzanne your encouraging words are appreciated :-) mary

Comment from DavidP
Looks more like some kind of bee as it doesn't have fly eyes! Can't see the body but it looks like what we would call a hornet. Great macro shot Mary and all the details are so sharp. Nice colors and just a fantastic nature shot. Thanks for sharing it. I'd rather take photos than clean house any day! haha

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-May-2015

Thanks David I appreciate your feedback and info :-) mary

Comment from michiganmike
It is some kind of a hornet. Perhaps a wasp technically but usually this is called a hornet until it stings you then ??? Very nicely cropped image with great colors and outstanding detail in the critters face.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 01-May-2015

Thanks Mike your encouraging words are appreciated :-) mary

Comment from a.samathasena
What a great nice gorgeous lovely shot.Beautiful rear work and scene.I think he is a kinds of wasp.He Like a our country small wasp [Bambara}.Do You know last year about forty Wasp [Bambara] bite to me.I was ill about two months.Thanks God.Because my life protected you.So Please be careful.They Are very dangerous.Face Eyes action and b/g are gorgeous and great.I like this talent work.Focus color and all are excellent.Great job.Well Done.Thanks.

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2015

Thanks so much a.samanthansena sorry to hear you were so ill from the wasp. I will be careful :) Mary

Comment from Lilibug6
This is an awesome macro shot of this hover fly=) The focus is excellent! The colors are great! The presentation is very good! Well done and thanks for sharing! Lilibug6

 Comment Written 30-Apr-2015

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reply by the author on 30-Apr-2015

Thanks Lori, I appreciate your encouraging feedback. :) Mary

reply by Lilibug6 on 30-Apr-2015

You are very welcome! Lili