Bee Mimics

I came across these insects a few weeks ago and have spent quite a few hours trying to get a positive ident having misidentified them as solitary bees!! Eventually they were identified as Hoverfly bumblebee mimics, Meredon equestris, in the process of mating. Image taken on the 100mm macro lens with AF 160 ringflash. The pair were so pre-occupied that I was able to capture a whole series of images without disturbing them.