My husband spotted this one first , and as he looked close said , " oh it is just a yellowj-acket wasp " . I looked and realized that it was not a wasp and some kind of mimic and was excited ... of course it flew away . Later on down the dry trail with only the Star thistles blooming , I noticed it again and was happy although the breeze was blowing and the thistle was moving . I carefully put my hand into the thistle and got close to the subject and even though the thistle was poking me , I remained calm and still so I could get this one ! This is the first time that I came across this fly , I believe , that looks like a yellow-jacket . I noticed that every time it landed on the thistle flower it did a wing dance which was odd , but since it seemed involved in this wing fluttering it enabled me to get close with my camera to take a few good shots before the breeze blew again . Thanks so much for any information on this striped beauty which I have been sooo happy to have come across . Sincerely Bugsys posy , Beth