Bee Flies

Flies come in so many shapes and sizes, and some of them are rather lovely. The other day the garden seemed full of these little fellows, which are not uncommon, and I'm sure play a very important role in pollinating at this time of the year. They are like little balls of light brown fuzz, with black and white wings sticking out at right angles, while they are in flight. They can stop in mid air, and have the usual fly magic when flying, turning on a sixpence, etc. They were very busy in the bottom corner of our patch, visiting the many violets in flower there.