Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Robber Fly with prey
‹ PreviousMacro & Close-up GalleryNext ›

Robber Fly with prey

by John Tobias

Gallery: Macro & Close-upPosted August 7, 2012100 views5 comments
Spotted this robber fly, but did not have my macro lens on, took a few shots then switched to macro lens, but by then the fly had left. Must admit I did not see the bee it was feeding on until I downloaded the images!

Canon T3i
1/500 @ F-5.6 ISO 400
Canon EF 70-300 IS USM @ 300mm.
HH

Comments

5 comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on August 7, 2012 at 9:26 PM
The image is a little busy, but good for the action you captured, John. We don't have robber flies in Ohio, and I think I can live with that. They look pretty nasty.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 8, 2012 at 7:47 AM
One of my favorite macro subjects, great that you caught the robber with prey John.
I've watched them at work..even observed one attack an insect inflight once.
They will only attack/eat what they catch flying..there could be a juicy bee sitting right in front of it, and it will not go after it! :wavey:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Wayne Jones on August 8, 2012 at 12:44 PM
Nice action shot! That's one of the largest robber flies I have seen. The lighting works perfectly here to show off the unlucky bee.

Would it make Scott uneasy if we told him there are several species of robber flies in Ohio? (Most of them are smaller than this one, though.) I'll leave it up to you to decide whether to tell him. :wink:
Registered on April 18, 2007, 953 Posts, 6435 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on August 8, 2012 at 6:51 PM
Wayne, I meant we don't have the big nasty ones! :wink:
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Roger Kirchen on August 11, 2012 at 3:28 AM
Wow, that is a big robber fly. Almost as big as the mosquitos up here ;-) Excellent action shot and nice light position.
Registered on March 6, 2011, 95 Posts, 847 Comments