From Google's image search, I think this hoverfly is a Helophilus pendulus, which seems to have several common names including Tiger Hoverfly or "The Footballer" - presumably for it's stripey top! The vivid flower is a Rose Campion (Lychnis coronaria). Shots taken in the gardens at Arley Hall with my 90mm macro lens. Please correct me if I have the wrong id.

Another shot in the comment below.

Tags:   hoverfly Helophilus pendulus Lychnis coronaria Rose Camprion Arley Hall Garden Cheshire UK Olympus OM Digital Solutions macro 90mm f3.5

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Hoverfly flying over some Japanese Anemones at Arley Hall gardens.

Tags:   hoverfly Japanese anemone Arley Hall Garden Cheshire UK Olympus OM Digital Solutions OM-1 100-400

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I was busy watching the bees land on this Tree Poppy in Arley Hall Gardens and didn't notice the spider hiding below until I downloaded the image!

Tags:   bee spider Tree Poppy flower Arley Hall Garden Cheshire UK Olympus OM Digital Solutions OM-1 100-400

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Cosmos growing in the gardens at Arley Hall.

Tags:   cosmos flower Arley Hall Garden Cheshire UK Olympus OM Digital Solutions OM-1 100-400

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Beautiful Magnolia at Arley Hall gardens, taken earlier this month.

At last I'm back! PC fixed and picked up this afternoon - and fortunately I don't seem to have lost anything. Motherboard that was replaced in November failed and was replaced under warranty - so fortunately no cost. It's going to take me some time to catch up, as I have images from the last 2 weeks to download and process, including lots (and lots) from a short trip away to Bempton and area. Will try to catch up with my contacts as soon as I can.

Tags:   Magnolia Sprengeri Arley Hall Garden Cheshire UK Olympus OM Digital Solutions OM-1 100-400

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