Robber Fly (Dasylechia atrox) with prey
Dasylechia atrox (Williston 1883). Found at Hickory Hill Conservancy Park in Cross Plains in southern Wisconsin. Dane County, Wisconsin, USA.
Found in oak/hickory forest/savanna. It was about 8-9 feet up on the weathered debarked dead branch on living oak tree. Prey looks to be a sweat bee of sorts. Unfortunately, only got one photo. Either it did not like the flash, or me creeping slowly closer to get a better shot. It dropped the prey and flew high up (guessing 50-70ft) into the canopy of a nearby shagbark hickory tree, not to be seen again.
This is the second one I saw this day. I saw another at nearby Festge Park perched on a branch, but did not get a photo of that one as it flew off right as soon as I finished changing to my long lens.
Single exposure, uncropped, handheld, in situ. Canon MT-26EX flash unit, Ian McConnachie diffuser.
Robber Fly (Dasylechia atrox) with prey
Dasylechia atrox (Williston 1883). Found at Hickory Hill Conservancy Park in Cross Plains in southern Wisconsin. Dane County, Wisconsin, USA.
Found in oak/hickory forest/savanna. It was about 8-9 feet up on the weathered debarked dead branch on living oak tree. Prey looks to be a sweat bee of sorts. Unfortunately, only got one photo. Either it did not like the flash, or me creeping slowly closer to get a better shot. It dropped the prey and flew high up (guessing 50-70ft) into the canopy of a nearby shagbark hickory tree, not to be seen again.
This is the second one I saw this day. I saw another at nearby Festge Park perched on a branch, but did not get a photo of that one as it flew off right as soon as I finished changing to my long lens.
Single exposure, uncropped, handheld, in situ. Canon MT-26EX flash unit, Ian McConnachie diffuser.