the footballer

...it has been a mad day of rushing around and shopping as we prepare for another weekend with family visitors.

With no time for a proper walk or blip hunt, it was a case of running up to our local nature reserve for, guess what, another fly!

Helophilus pendulus is probably the UK's commonest hoverfly and, because of its brightly striped markings, is often called the footballer.

Our guests are about to arrive and, after a pleasant day, it has just started to rain...