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I'm terribly sorry about the quality of these images - I had ample time to take them ... it's just some times you blow it, and some times you don't know why (appropriate f stop, ISO and shutter speed ... just no talent).

This asilid was just sitting there on a piece of wood, Réserve Naturelle de l'etang de Cousseau, Lacanau, Aquitaine, France, and it didn't want to move. I was beginning to think it dead until I applied a little 'persuasion' with a twig to see if it would move. It dropped to the ground and then spread the wings (fortunately). My lady wasn't impressed with the find so I snapped a few more picks off before she hauled me away. (I'll use that as my excuse for taking lousy pics.)

Is this an old/worn out miserable-looking Choerades gilva? I don't believe I've had it from the region (here) before, but I'd not been here in Spring before.

Thanks
Steve