hadnt noticed that part , yes it is a 2 image focus stack, will have to correct that. BUT it is the heavy block nature of the black bars and dark colour around centre of abdomen. Gill shot one same day at different location and looks completly different!

a couple people have commented how dark and heavy, thick the markings are , i had not seen this species before so cant really tell if unusuall shot at wyre forest on sunday. phil http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7222/7196993938_7f33de29ce_z.jpg and a rather special shot , so happy with this :D http://f...

My first visit to Wyre forest to see the pearlbordereds. had great day saw about 40+ pearls, mainly along the centre of pipe line section and about 8 freshly emerged Dingy skippers. plenty of peacocks & speckled woods, a couple orange tips,brimstones and a single gv white! very windy making phot...

thanks neil, was so exciting after a long wait!!
but my first gh shot of 2012

Yestetday I went to whixall moss looking for Greenhairstreaks.
Had amazing day , numbers recorded
24 greenhairstreaks, 4 peacocks,3 sml tort,15+ orange tips, 2 LG white, 2 gb white, 15 holly blue , 15 + spec wood and countless brimstones!
Over 90 butts 9 species & large red damsels also

Phil

Hi Dave

i use an arctic butterfly cleaner - http://visibledust.com/products3.php?pid=3

expensive but works superb! since i change lens constantly would not be without this! usually use once every 2 weeks, no liquid to leave smears on sensor!

phil

hi Merry x mas :) i have always used a 100mm without any problem getting close enough. a few people i know use a 150 but find it heavy and most need a tripod which makes things alot more difficult when following a butterfly. personal choice i guess , but i think a 100mm is the best overall focal len...

i agree there have not been as many this year, probably only spotted less than 30 all year!

but got this shot from oversley wood

phil

thanks for looking everyone ,. it is a really special event that i would not want to miss each year

cant wait for next june!

i would say "not" that usefull after a year of use, you still need a fast enough shutterspeed to freeze any movement from the butterfly and any breeze! it does work better at less magnification which is not of any use if you are filling the frame with a butterfly! even with "is" ...

since i was lucky this year and shot alot of the hardest to see . i guess chequered ,silver spot and grizzled skippers, duke of b, glanville ,marsh and pearl bordered frits are my targets. and a decent white letter hairstreak shot :) i think its a realistic target :D hopefully! phil

Congrats John, super image, perfect composition

well done

phil

i have just posted a blog on the relationship of the silver studded blues and the ants , shot at prees heath with 100mm macro and mpe on 5d2, this was the first time i have shot video, found it quite a challenge! , shot both stills and videos at high mag showing the ants cleaning the butterflies. yo...

I agree also a DG. sometimes the offset spot is more difficult to tell , these show clearly that it is in line with the other spots.

it can be very dificult without seeing under wing on some individuals!
phil.

small skiper and a marbled

an unusuall view, landed on path infront of me at arnside knot!

phil

shot at oversley wood , it had just emerged! so lucky

phil

shot at prees heath on emergance week, i love this species!

phil

another shot from arnside knot , a newly emerged specimen.

phil

this was the first ever marbled i had seen , shot at oversley wood, warwichshire.
taken on the warwichshire purple emperor meet
phil