I pretty sure Item 5 is a Knot Grass Moth larva.

Kevin.

Hi Sylvie, The MF was on Welsh Moor. We did a 5 mile circular walk that took us through Welsh Moor, on to Llanridhian (with a stop in the Dolphin!) and back to Cillibion where we started. The weather was actually pretty good but I suspect the chill wind was the culprit for the lack of butterflies. C...

Similar weather here in Newport today. Spent a pleasant day on Gower on Saturday in the Llanrhidian area but butterflies were in very short supply - saw only a couple of whites and a single Marsh Frit (lovely specimen). I hope that heat wave arrives pdq as I'm off to the Lake District this Thursday!...

Hi David, thanks for the heads up and the tip about Welshmoor. Hopefully there will be a few Marsh Frits about.

Kevin.

I'll be making a trip to Oxwich Nature Reserve on Saturday (May 30th) and will be keeping a lookout for Marsh Frits. Are they on the wing yet or is it a bit early?

Kevin.

The spider does resemble a St Christopher's Cross spider. But I could well be wrong...

Many thanks Guy and Charles.

Kevin.

I've just returned from Roses in Catalunya which is about 150km north of Barcelona where I snapped the following butterflies. Any assistance in providing identification would be appreciated. Some of the pics are a bit naff for which I apologise. The first three are skippers (not the same butterfly) ...

Clouded Yellow spotted at the RSPB Newport Wetlands reserve on Sunday 29th. Not seen a CY here before. Also large numbers of dragonflies, mostly Common Darter, but also Migrant Hawkers.

Spent a pleasant couple of hours at Collard Hill this afternoon. Seriously hot but plenty of butterflies although numbers of Marbled White disappointing being only a fraction of the numbers this time last year. Marbled White - Collard Hill 240714.jpg Small Heath - Collard Hill 240714.jpg Six Spot Bu...

Hi Marc,

Collard Hill at Compton Dundon in Somerset is an established Large Blue colony. Although when I visited earlier this year not a single Large Blue did I see. Such is life

C

Very pleasant walk around the Oxwich area on Gower today. Plenty of Large and Small Whites, Small Torts, Speckled Woods, the odd GVW and Meadow Brown, a few Common Blues, a Peacock and a Painted Lady plus 2 Clouded Yellows in excellent condition on the coastal path between Port Einon and Oxwich.

A final observation to add to Mike's list - a couple of entries highlighted a 'hole in the wing' and a 'nick in the wing', so make sure the butterfly is perfect as well as the photo!

Hi Jack,

The cropping/re-sizing is something I've only toyed with so further experimentation is needed there. I also find the articulated screen great for composition and a major plus for the FZ150. Great photos by the way!

C

I've now had the opportunity to use the FZ150 whilst on holiday in Madeira and below are a couple of butterflies I managed to take (Clouded Yellow and a Monarch) and a Finch which I think is a Eurasian Siskin. I am pleased with the results but still debating over whether to shoot in RAW or JPEG. Usi...

Hi NIck, I had the same zoom problem with the FZ18. I tried out the FZ150 for the first time last weekend but only taking a few experimental shots of Jackdaws and dandelions in the back garden. The main issue with the zoom, as it was on the FZ18, is that if you shoot in RAW, which I prefer, the Digi...

Hi Steve,

Not sure what the original format of your photo is, but if it is RAW you will need to make sure you select 8 bit colour then you can do a 'Save As' jpeg format, changing the pixel size to 800 x 600 in the small window that displays. Your image should then upload OK.

C

Just bought an FZ150 to replace my ageing FZ18 in readiness for a week long holiday to Madeira in late April. Haven't yet had the opportunity to get to grips with it (only arrived Wednesday) but as soon as I have a few worthwhile shots I'll post them here. Initial observations are good; it's a sligh...

Glorious day on the North Gower Peninsula (Llandimore area) yesterday (23/3). Peacock, Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell seen.

Spotted a small white in the back garden today. Mild and sunny down here in S. Wales although a bit windy.

C.