Thanks for the tip on the profile pic. I've been scouring the links trying to figure it out. That one will work for now...but there are so many better ones....hmmn....

GeezerGal, they're always a surprise.

The Wiki description of 3 simple eyes between the two compound eyes is not exactly right. They're located, in a V formation, behind the stubby antennae, similar to a praying mantis. They're easier to see on a mantis because they don't have tufts of hair obscuring them.

You can see the 3 simple eyes on this mantis head shot. Now that you know what to look for, go back to your robber fly shots and you can locate them. It helped to identify the fly.

Definitely a fly, didn't need to see the body, that face gave it all away. 98% sure it's a robber fly. (I 'do' a lot of insect macro photography. Maybe too much.) ;)

Here's a description of the robber fly from Wiki:

The family Asilidae contains about 7,100 described species worldwide. All robber flies have stout, spiny legs, a dense moustache of bristles on the face (mystax), and 3 simple eyes (ocelli) in a characteristic depression between their two large compound eyes. The antennae are short, 3-segmented, sometimes with a bristle-like structure called an arista. The short, strong proboscis is used to stab and inject victims with saliva containing neurotoxic and proteolytic enzymes which paralyze and digest the insides. Many species have long, tapering
abdomens, sometimes with a sword-like ovipositor. Others are fat-bodied bumblebee mimics. Adult robber flies attack other flies, beetles, butterflies and moths, various bees, dragon and damselflies, Ichneumon wasps, grasshoppers, and some spiders.

Looks like a robber fly, with red legs.

Side shot of red legged robber fly.