Owl Fly

Have you ever seen an owl fly?

Sure.

You’ve seen an owl fly?

Course I have.

Dang it. Not the bird, the dern insect. One of those, have you seen it?

No.

There Crumby was, moseying happily along. Yes. Crumby could easily go along because Ray had mowed a path through the weeds next to the Valburn dirt exclosure or inclosure. Huh-huh. Only aggies spell exclosure.

Hark! Suddenly a bug totally outside Crumby’s experience flew up out of the weeds and into the chicken wire fence. Frantically Crumby attempted to operate his semi-trusty, antiquated, cranky dslr. Here’s what happened.

OK. This owl fly image leaves much to the imagination. Still, one can easily determine that it is an owl fly thanks to some important parts of owl fly anatomy in good, though not great, focus. Crumby only got the one shot. Matter of fact, there don’t seem to be many good owl fly shots around, anyplace.

The owl fly, or properly spelled, owlfly, that spooked Crumby was entirely new to Crumby’s experience. However, Crumby has now done research, learning somewhat of owlflies. For example, this particular owlfly we are now dealing with may be a member of the genus Ululodes of the Family Ascalaphidae. Further, it may be crepuscular. Owlfiles also allegedly come to lights at night.

Yesterday evening around dusk, Crumby, desiring a better owlfly photo decided to either capture an owlfly with the butterfly net, or pounce on an owlfly that came to the night light Crumby set out. Alas. You have to see an owlfly before you can catch it. None turned up.

But if any had turned up, they would have had plenty of mosquitoes to eat.