Mt Hotham March Fly

Mt Hotham March Fly

By Ingrid Makowski

Last January, we spent a week on Mt Hotham, Victoria. We felt like we were in nature’s toy shop, surrounded by spectacular scenery and an amazing array of flora and fauna. I don’t think that I have ever seen so many different bugs, beetles, and spiders in one week.

The March flies were enormous and ready to pounce, but also extremely flighty. I couldn’t believe my luck when I spotted this one sleeping and was amazed at just how close I was able to get to it! The detail in the compound eye was stunning.

Nikon D500; Sigma 105mm Macro lens; f/13; 1/320s; ISO 500

Don’s response

Did you know that there are more than 200 March Fly species? I’ve no idea which species Ingrid Makowski caught napping for this photograph, but those prominent eyes are a defining characteristic of these little creatures.

And in her picture, Ingrid has accurately positioned the extremely shallow depth of field so precisely that we can see the minute hairs that emerge from the compound eye’s surface.

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