The Syrphidae have been described as "the butterflies of the fly world" and "the most popular group of flies among insect photographers" (Marshall 2012). They certainly gain our attention, but perhaps no more so than their less colourful or less cooperative cousins.

Melangyna sp.

Nearly half the world's Syrphidae belong to the subfamily Eristalinae ... commonly called drone flies. Most have larvae that develop in decomposing vegetation, including in wet, rotting wood. And yes, this sluggish & colourful syrphid is certainly photogenic!

Cyphipelta rufocyanea (link to iNaturalist record)