It looks like a dangerous insect. Yet, the black and yellow stripes are only a disguise. But the really typical feature of this syrphus fly (that the American name) is it’s capability to hover in the air, hence the British name.
But although they are quite common and although they look like they are still in the air – I haven’t photographed one hovering yet.
If you think Hubert’s t-shirt is ever so slightly objectionable, just be glad I didn’t show you Ethel’s shorts.
I’m lazy today. I’m staying in the car. This is the stretch of road between Neu-Isenburg and Frankfurt, about four kilometres through the Stadtwald, woods that are part of the green belt surrounding Frankfurt.
For years I tried to start running and failed every single time.
Then my husband got an artificial knee and I had to drive him to the physiotherapist every second afternoon.. I’d sit in the car, it got hot, I got drowsy and couldn’t function for the rest of the day.
I decided to get out of the car and go for a walk. The physio’s rooms were on a slope and I started trotting up the hill.until I ran out of steam, that’s when I turned around. Every day I got a bit further, still incredibly slow and not really considered it training but I slowly got into a jog. By the time my husband’s physio was over I managed quite a distance (even though I never reached the peak) and I kept up the routine. In flatter country. I actually started jogging. And I took it from there.
I realised that I had always started far too fast. I ran for 100m at what I thought was a slow pace, ran out of breath and never developed any stamina. My breakthrough came when I realised that I had to go not slow but slower. Slower than a walker if necessary to begin with. And I took it from there.
since 1987. The t-shirt is by now 10 years old but the run is still going. Even during COVID time we kept it up trying different kinds of runs that kept with the regulations. It takes quite some stamina.
This European Green Woodpecker was visiting in our backyard. Considering the resident cat and the neighbouring cats I don’t think he’ll return in a hurry.
pictures imperfect blog 