Bee Fly

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Today I was outside watering the new Birch Trees and I spotted a strange looking insect flying about., backwards, forwards darting around.  Later it landed on the perch of the small bird bath and I was able to take some photos:
Clinging on for dear life

Needle for a nose

Apparently this is a Bee Fly and it's harmless (doesn't sting or bite), that needle is used to draw nectar from flowers - I think it's quite cute.  

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