UFO

Not spot on with the focus as I was applying my new 'Just press the button' rule and then it flew off. I don't know what the flower is (leaves a bit like clover but spread out along long stems) and I don't know what the stingy looking insect is either - it was about an inch long and I would NOT be happy if one landed on me - hornet???

And thanks to Isla for spotting he's a Volucella zonaria - Hornet Mimic Hoverfly!

[june milner]

for a reflex action. Great shot d

[Michelle]

Wow amazing capture.

[Nat Stuart Perks]

Look at his eyes!!!!! Huge! Love the DOF here!

[Isla Wight]

Fantastic detailed pic of the yellow-headed stripey beastie! Hornets are absolutely enormous - you'd know one. Diff to see how big this is.

[Judith Greenwood]

@islawight It was big but the eyes are wrong according to my insect book - which doesn't tell me what it is...

[Isla Wight]

@judithg Ahaa - what about the exotically-named volucella zonaria? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volucella_zonaria

[Peggy Sirk]

Looks very much like a 'hoverfly'. As for the plant ~ it looks very familiar, but I can't come up with a name. Excellent photography, Judith!

[Amber D]

Fabulous capture!! I'm at a loss for the bug, but his eyes look huge!

[Judith Greenwood]

@islawight - What a star you are!! I'd say that's the fella - well Mr Hornet Mimic fooled me and he's escaped from public parks to proper wild (well not cultivated anyway). Thank you - I should really change my title now!

[Diana Moss]

Brilliant shot Judith see you are living dangerously , I wouldn't get too near it might sting !

[Phil Howcroft]

Judith, great capture, nice POV ...fancy not recognising a Volucella zonaria when you see one !!!! I have great problems photographing my Volucella zonaria's (it's a stingy yellow thing to me too !!!)

[Cherrill]

lol love the insect chat going on here! @phil_howcroft lol!! Clever Isla @islawight As for the plant ...hmmm....not got that one yet...from the head I was going to say a marjoram or oregano but they don;t have clover leaves...Great shot anyway!!

[claire teuber]

wow, what a capture. Nice shot!

[Shanne]

fantastic picture of the hoverfly - my thought was meadow sweet for the flower but again the leaves aren't like clover

[simon peter thorne]

love this one Judith

[Pat Knowles]

Clever Isla, I wouldn't have known it was a hornet ! What a massive yellow head it has ! Great macro shot & fantastic focus !

[paula goff]

very nice! i think these hover flies are pretty cool!

[bernadette mcelligott]

Great macro shot, I loved the thread.