A long-delayed reply here, but in the lower Piedmont of North Carolina, I see syrphids in winter (November-February) quite frequently--they always seem to be Syrphus or related genera, such as Eupeodes, and I cannot really identify them. There are indeed a few flowers that bloom through the winter here, and I sometimes see them taking nectar. Recent research has shown that some syrphids are migratory, and maybe that is the source of the late fall/early winter flies.
Do Nearctic hover flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) engage in long-distance migration? An assessment of evidence and mechanisms.
Again, you all likely know about this by now.

another species that I was able to get only a frontal shot of from a distance. I was pulling the briar toward me with the fly perched on it to get a dorsal shot. The darned thing slipped out of my hand and the fly shot off like a slingshot. Never saw it again that day.

I was out in a long sleeve shirt and it was warm enough to poll up my sleeves :^). The very next day, a cold front moved through and there was ice forming on water puddles.

I would love to get some snow! Can you send us some?? My little Subaru Wagon needs some time in the slippery stuff!

Scott

Gerard. I looked at lots of images and it looks like you have it right! I guess I was just lucky to have captured some images of this fly.

Scott

BTW- I have more images if needed.