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Wildlife Spotting

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41.8781, -87.6298

Field Notes

Notes:

Obviously it's some kind of fly, but can someone tell me which kind? And what is that bubble? An egg of some sort? Is he eating it? A blown out throat like on a hummingbird?

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
oxyjack
On closer investigation, it looks like it is sort of common for some flies to "blow bubbles", it seems that they expel a droplet of liquid, and then suck it back in again. No one seems to know for certain why.
oxyjack
Here's a photo of a blow fly drinking a droplet of water: https://secure.flickr.com/photos/bareego/5440718262/
oxyjack
Definitely not a horse fly, probably either a blow fly or muscid. Not sure what's going on with the bubble though... they drink by lapping with their tongues.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity

Tags

Photographed
PublishedJune 9, 2011

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