Eristalis intricaria in Flight at RSPB Pulborough Brooks

Welcome to my wildlife photography journal! On 25th July 2026, I spent some time at RSPB Pulborough Brooks, enjoying the opportunity to photograph one of the many fascinating insects found among the vegetation. This time, my attention turned to Eristalis intricaria, a hoverfly that proved particularly interesting to photograph as it hovered in the air.

The dark background worked especially well with this small subject, helping to isolate the hoverfly from its surroundings and allowing the details of its body and delicate wings to stand out. Against the darker backdrop, the shape and fine structure of the insect became much more noticeable, making for a pleasing combination of subject and background.

Photographing insects in flight is always a challenge. Hoverflies can change direction quickly and rarely remain in exactly the same position for very long, making timing and focus particularly important. When the subject does stay in just the right position for long enough, however, everything can come together to produce a sharp and interesting image.

These encounters are one of the things I enjoy about wildlife photography at RSPB Pulborough Brooks. You never quite know what will catch your attention as you explore the reserve, and sometimes the smaller subjects can provide just as much of a photographic challenge as the birds.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy the images from this encounter with Eristalis intricaria, and be sure to explore my other wildlife photography adventures for more moments from the field.