Both images are shot in available light. Crazy how fast those wings are! It's also crazy what is going in on in picture #1. I was so focused on the Hoverfly, that did not realize the rest on the plant.... ;)
#1 1/250s, f/4.5, ISO 1000
#2 1/320s, f/4.5, ISO 250
Fantastic! I still haven't been able to get an in flight shot that was in focus. These are sharp and well composed with just enough motion blur. That must have been a very tasty plant looks like everyone had to come try it!
I was lucky that the fly was hovering for a few seconds. Maybe they had a party there... ;)
Very nice and well done. How close were you for these photos? I may have to give this a try. I have a bunch of nymph carpenter bees that love one of my plants.
I was pretty far away. The pictures are massive crops.Like bees and flies, they flee when you come to close.
I think, for your bees you need just a lot of patience and you will have to shoot a lot of pictures.
I'm currently installing a plugin for photoshop to open my raw files. I think I got some pretty good macro pics of some. I'll be able to find out shortly, hopefully.
Guess, you'll know for sure if I post another discussion. ;)