Bait ‘n Capture
It’s one way I sometimes effect a photo capture of an otherwise elusive creature. A tiny drop of honey placed in a flower and wait for something to take the bait. Once it is feeding it is usually oblivious to other benign circumstances in its orbit.
There is clearly no expectation of danger apparent in its demeanour, unlike some bees that act so cagey when approaching a flower – there perhaps being a knowledge of waiting spiders in its instinct.
You will never see an instinctive creature walk knowingly into a trap, willing to die by its own actions, except maybe a mother or other guardian – though I doubt there is foresight of consequences.
To live and die without psychological fear is no small thing.
© Mark Berkery ……. Click the pix for a closer look
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Nature's Place 
Mark, amazing photos an comments.
Thanks Eduardo …
On a bad day I lie in the dark and worry about what wildlife will actually still be present in 100 years. On a good day, I think that hopefully the humans will either come their senses or die, before that happens. But not much sign of good sense yet unfortunately.
As to the photos, usual excellent quality:) what is that small yellow protusion on each side just under the wing?
I think we people will eventually come to sense and so consistently intelligent behaviour – that doesn’t make more trouble, and those events will be and cause a lot of dying – inside and out. You’ve heard it said, it’s darkest just before the dawn – that’s the truth. Holding to the simplicity of being nothing can seem like hell for a while.
That small yellow thing is called a haltere, a vestigial wing that serves as something like a gyroscope – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARLTxG2gh3I and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halteres
Those links are lovely, really helpful, many thanks:)
I should try this too! The photos are stunning and I love your last comment.
Yes, why not. Thanks …
Excellent photograph! Just wow!! I am amazed!
Thanks Amy. Amazing little creatures they are.
Very nice photos. The drop of honey almost makes it look as though the fly is feeding on an egg yolk. That added some additional interest for me.
Thanks David … The fly was very focussed.
Incredible picture!
Thanks Kristina …
So much to look at and admire on such a little creature.
They are interesting …
Fantastic shots.
Thanks Mac …
“You will never see an instinctive creature walk knowingly into a trap….” Wow, yeah, what an excellent insight. Thanks!
Thanks Lisa … It’s a way of perspective, nothing absolute. Trap being any situation that clearly leads to an ‘apparent’ negative outcome.
Very cool shot.
Thanks Julie …
It’s not a good idea to feed wild bees honey as spores of diseases (which only affect bees, not humans) can be present in the honey. Honey should only ever be fed back to the bees which originally produced it. A white sugar and water solution would be better (always white sugar, brown can cause dysentery).
Beautiful photos.
Btw I know this isn’t a bee, but thought I’d mention that just in case you ever use the same method for bees.
Thanks Emily. It’s a bee fly, I believe. I know that about bees and honey, rarely use it to bait anything – usually it’s fruit.
BTW, some regard the feeding of bees with white sugar syrup over winter has contributed to their present fragile health – over-exploited – though I suppose an occasional feed is no harm. I try to keep the garden in flower of what bees like.
Ah that’s good that you feed fruit. I wasn’t suggesting that honey should be taken away from bees and replaced with sugar. I feed my bees sugar syrup or fondant but as a back up to their existing honey stores. There’s all sorts of problems facing the poor bees- monocrops, lack of suitable flowers, nosema, varroa, being trucked thousands of miles, AFB, EFB, pesticides – sugar is probably far down the list. When I go to hear researchers speak they often blame habitat destruction. We need more bee lovers like yourself!
Yes Emily. If people were subjected to the same stresses as (commercial bees in particular) bees we’d have a revolution or a die-off. All we need is for people to show real respect for nature, don’t see it happening without some lasting global disaster to spur sincere action or kill off all the ignorant that bring it about. Karma, the unstoppable cascade of effects.
Lovely post. The picture is stunning and the words are so true!
Thanks Tokoni …