Congratulations Neil, I knew there had to be a reason I hadn't seen you in Southwater Woods chasing Purple Emperors - turns out you have an iris of your own! I have to admit usually I find babies kind of ugly but she looks pretty cute. Also...I like the hat, are they available to order? Seriously th...

I have been keeping half an eye on two caterpillars pupating on my back door over the last few weeks: a Small White and a Vapourer. Half an eye is, apparently, not enough. I looked this evening to find they had gone. Blue Tits have been keenly investigating every nook and cranny of the garden recent...

A Hummingbird Hawkmoth flying around my garden Buddleia this evening. Surprised to find it flying so late in the day (7.25pm). Must keep a lookout for it this weekend, hope it stays around. I've taken out the Purple Loosestrife from my pond - it grows too strongly for my little puddle and it's roots...

Here is a pic of the little beauty but I'm afraid the photo doesn't do it justice at all. Just to make this weekend even better, I had a close encounter with a Sparrowhawk today as well. Intent on looking at the contents of my moth trap this morning, I suddenly heard movement off to one side and loo...

Unexpected events this weekend have prompted me to start a diary. As Neil and possibly a few others down my way are aware, the last two weeks or so I’ve been visiting Steyning Rifle Range obsessing about Brown Hairstreaks. Not today – today I settled down to a day’s work in my garden. Nevermind that...

Ditto what Michael said about 13yr olds! C'mon guys, I'm getting old and cannot cope with this kind of competition. My partner held up the winning photo from the Suffolk Wildlife Trust competition the other day (it had made the papers), a beautiful shot of a bee approaching a flower. Lovely composit...

Neil, as you know, I've been traipsing back and forth to the Rifle Range day in and day out for over a week, in all kinds of weathers, looking for Brown Hairstreaks. I recall, on one day, meeting a knowledgeable-looking chap (you) who assured me that I would not find them unless the weather was very...

Hi Neil (and everyone), Thanks for your comments re: the FZ38. I had a quick look at a thread on here about it a couple of nights ago and there was mention of another camera coming out by Panasonic (the FZ100) so I may take a hard look at that one too. It's certainly worth considering for those days...

Hi Neil, You are getting some really awesome images, I think you have great skill with a camera. I don't put good photos down to camera equipment alone but you know the hefty gear I take around with me and I am being tempted to ditch it all in favour of the camera you have. My only concern is the no...