March 21, 2015
Spring is here
![[IMAGE] yellow jacket under cup](/blog/blogpix/yellowjacket1.jpg)
…about the musicA romantic theme for any lovers.
Well, Spring is finally here, and love is in the air.
And, on my window.
And, as in the pic above, under glass, until the trusty crew at Shapiro Insect Relocation Services, Inc. releases the hapless wanderer to the correct side of the viewing area.
Which, in the case of yellowjackets, is whatever side I am not on.
While taking the gazillionth photo out my window of yet another gorgeous day’s vision of sparkling seas and blue skies, I cursed at the big dark splotch of gunk on the left of my viewfinder.
![[IMAGE] view splotch](/blog/blogpix/view1.jpg)
Stepping back a few inches, I was embarrassed to discover that I had been an unintentional voyeur into the sex life of whatever kind of fly genus these two lovers belong to.
I was a larva lookie-loo.
A pupa paparazzi.
An imago imager of flies in flagrante.
Far more fascinated than ashamed, I offered the couple an entomology apology (an entomapology?), and stepped closer again.
This time I focused.
![[IMAGE] insect love](/blog/blogpix/clearer.jpg)
![[IMAGE] insect love](/blog/blogpix/closer1.jpg)
Kelpville readers know of my odd delight watching the creatures around me hunt and eat.
Add another normal function to that list.
Oh look: they’ve changed position.
![[IMAGE] insect love](/blog/blogpix/new-position.jpg)
Luis Gil said,
March 21, 2015 @ 8:11 pm
puparazzi?
(great post!)
Alex Shapiro said,
March 21, 2015 @ 8:30 pm
Love it!
Barbara Cox said,
March 22, 2015 @ 4:03 am
And here we are worried about life drawing classes as to not offend the delicate sensibilities of some of our fellow islanders. 😳Thank you for sharing these springtime island photos …
Michele said,
August 26, 2015 @ 12:10 pm
I caught myself giving an audible HA! while reading. I’ve never thought about the poetry that could be offered while witnessing insects copulate. Well, maybe praying mantis’s, but only due to a darker sense of humor I possess when it comes to any type of relationships, insect or otherwise. Your writing definitely is fun and opens yet a new window (pardon the pun) of sight.
Jess said,
December 15, 2015 @ 11:34 am
Your March flies like to mate in spring
still others do the deed in fall
no matter what the seasons bring
whether sunny days or squall
them flies just have to do their thing
P.S. Take a look at some of the Bibionidae for your flies, especially in the genus Bibio.