Late-Winter Drink. Dronefly, Eristalis tenax, on Viburnum farreri, Wayfaring Tree, Océ-weerd Pond, St Urbanusweg, Venlo, The Netherlands
When the late-winter or early-spring wind is from the North, the aroma of this marvelous Viburnum farreri, Wayfaring Tree (www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/6812458018/in/photolis...), wafts up to our house on a bluff overlooking the Meuse River. And besides drawing out Yours Truly, lots of insects are attracted as well.
After wading about a bit in the shallows of the Meuse - a bit too cold to do more than a dunk - I ambled by the pond where our Viburnum flowers so pinkly shine even in the overcast afternoon. And yes! Honeybees, Bumblebees, a Fly or two, and this Dronefly, Eristalis tenax. Drawn here by that sweet scent. Tenax Hoverfly was going the royal way with its tongue - and what a tongue it is! - down Flower's corolla. But Bumblebee - Bombus terrestris, I think - was gnawing through the bottom of the corolla to get at Nectar.
A bit chilled, I hurried home for my own.
Late-Winter Drink. Dronefly, Eristalis tenax, on Viburnum farreri, Wayfaring Tree, Océ-weerd Pond, St Urbanusweg, Venlo, The Netherlands
When the late-winter or early-spring wind is from the North, the aroma of this marvelous Viburnum farreri, Wayfaring Tree (www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@N00/6812458018/in/photolis...), wafts up to our house on a bluff overlooking the Meuse River. And besides drawing out Yours Truly, lots of insects are attracted as well.
After wading about a bit in the shallows of the Meuse - a bit too cold to do more than a dunk - I ambled by the pond where our Viburnum flowers so pinkly shine even in the overcast afternoon. And yes! Honeybees, Bumblebees, a Fly or two, and this Dronefly, Eristalis tenax. Drawn here by that sweet scent. Tenax Hoverfly was going the royal way with its tongue - and what a tongue it is! - down Flower's corolla. But Bumblebee - Bombus terrestris, I think - was gnawing through the bottom of the corolla to get at Nectar.
A bit chilled, I hurried home for my own.