20070418.hoverflies.WAV

Buzzing of Hoverflies (Syrphidae) defending their territories, with birds singing in background, and distant (3 Km) rumble of waves on the beach. These insects mimic bees/wasps in their appearance, can remain still in the air (hence their name Hoverflies), and males fight each others in flight. This sample reflects one of these bloodless air combats. Mics were on a tripod in the middle of the insects' territories, so you hear both opponents as they fly around the battlefield. Gear: Sennheiser ME66+MKH30 into Shure FP24, recorded in an Edirol R09 and decoded to M/S stereo with Voxengo free VST plugin.

More info and Hoverfly pics here:
<a href="http://www.cirrusimage.com/flies_Toxomerus_marginatus.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.cirrusimage.com/flies_Toxomerus_marginatus.htm</a>)