Robber Flies ad nauseum (not for the faint of heart)

Robber flies are becoming bolder. Had one attach to the underside of my lens hood today, also to my pantsleg (several times). Here one is feeding on a honey bee. The fly in the second photo is attached to the inside of my tripod leg, so removed the camera, 2 flashes, etc. and attempted a hand held shot, thus the latter is somewhat shaky. Darned flashes won't fit between the tripod legs too well either! So, after all of these excuses, here they are for what they are worth:

 

Steve, Robber Flies are quite common and you likely have them in or near your backyard (assuming that you have one, of course) at some time or another. I live in Cincinnati (your next door neighbor!).

 

Thanks Gale, Patrick for the comments. Got about a dozen good ones of the robber flies in this session but didn't want to inundate you with gore and different prey. However, all of the photos begin to look alike after 2 or 3, and didn't want to be accused of having a trained fly :smile: