December 9, 2016
M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy. Certainly my best image of these interacting galaxies so far. M 51 and NGC 5195 (the smaller galaxy on the left)
are a famous pair of interacting galaxies. There are at least 3 other small galaxies visible in the upper left.
An Anna's Hummingbird nectaring in Alamo Canyon.
Still trying to learn the identity of this small fly, I estimate it was less than an inch long.
I got an ID on this insect from BugGuide.net, it is Ocyptamus lemur, male.
It is a species of Syrphid fly, otherwise known as hover flies or flower flies.