Nice capture, we call it in England a Hover-Fly very good for your garden their lava eats aphids.

Thanks Talsi,Karen and jsloan for the lovely comments.

My camera is a SonyH1 with a 12 zoom, a point and shoot camera.

I want to mention again that I think this is a great picture. The depth of field is very good, something not always seen in macro shots. What camera/lens setup did you use?

I did a google search and I think jsloan is right and it said it mimic a wasp also is good to have in your gardens as it eats aphids.

Thanks to both for making me aware it wasnt a Bee.

Carol

Hi. Great picture! Based on the eyes and the antennae, and the fact that this insect has one pair of wings, not two, this is neither a bee nor a wasp. It's a wasp mimic, actually a type of fly, possibly Surphid fly. They look so much like the real thing!