Black scavenger flies (Sepsidae) are easy to recognize by their glossy bodies and narrow, pinched abdomens, which make them look remarkably like tiny winged ants. They often scurry across leaves with quick, restless movements, adding even more to the illusion. This ant-like appearance may actually help protect them by discouraging predators. True to their name, their larvae develop in decaying organic matter and mammal droppings, where they play a vital role as natural recyclers of waste from both livestock and wildlife. They are also important in forensic entomology: because these larvae are among the first insects to colonize decomposing material and human feces, they can help investigators estimate the time of death. During my very first photography trip to the Amazon rainforest, I came across this delightful little fly dancing across a leaf. At the time, I was still learning and experimenting with my camera settings, so the photos turned out quite dark and underexposed. In the end, I chose to keep them, because those unusual settings gave the images a moody, artistic quality that I really liked.