Fly Climbing High

The season has progressed to the point where I can no longer comfortably stray from the trails to track insects as the mosquitoes have claimed territory I typically like to explore. Before a hike yesterday, I used bugoff spray, but it just wasn't enough to stop the full-blown assault and I pathetically cowered to the paved bike trails (plus I really came close to wiping out in thick mud while crossing a small stream...I'm sure it looked as graceful as something that is totally not graceful).

Fortunately, insects are everywhere, and I've managed to train my eyes to see them even off the main asphalt trails. It is, admittedly, a little harder to find unique scenes and, overall, somewhat less fulfilling. But, the bites are less as the mosquitoes generally seem content to concede that ground to the lumbering humans.

Nonetheless, today has been an itchy day.

All that said, I really enjoy how the fly is holding on to the leaf in the shot above. Examine how the middle legs are strategically placed in the depression of the leaf vein.