Hi all Well, I'm in two minds about posting this but decided that if I can prevent anyone doing the same stupid thing that I did yesterday, then it is worth the humiliation that posting this might incur... While out searching for Morels to photograph, I was in and out of some scrubby undergrowth on ...

Saw my first Small Tortoiseshell of the year yesterday nectaring on Dandylion head at work. And apologies for not thanking Wurzel earlier for the Waxwing sighting location near Salisbury, cheers Wurzel much appreciated.

Bill

March sems to be a time for strange contrasts...I saw 16 Waxwing on the way back from shopping yesterday and then I had 2 Brimstones and a Comma in my garden in Salisbury that same afternoon - even though the Waxwings were ace I wish spring would make it's mind up and finally arrive. I mean I've co...

Who ordered the Brimstones!?!

Not that I'm complaining, these are the first butterflies I've seen this year, and I saw 6 in a five mile drive between villages just now.

It's starting...


Cheers

Bill

Well the short answer to these questions is: - I’m completely satisfied with my own expertise, scientific scrutiny and personal methodology. Well your own science must be fine then. :shock: You seem to be adopting a moral high ground on the basis of flawed science in others but your own work has no...

So if your going to plug a EF-S lens, the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM, is the one to go after, I used to lust after this lens. F2.8 so its much faster than the 15-85 which is f3.5-5.6, and it is said to have Canon L glass. Regards Gruditch I agree that the f2.8 is a strong argument for the 17-55...

As people have been discussing general purpose lenses I thought I chime in with a vote for the Canon 15-85 f3.5-f5.6, one of the kit lens options on the 7D. I got rid of my 10-22 which I'd not used very much and the kit lens (17-85) from my 40D to upgrade to this as a general purpose lens. The 15-85...

For me I can only see limited appeal of 3D moving images. Most of the demo footage used in shops has static (or more accurately fixed point in space) cameras - for good reason. The combination of moving cameras (like what would be mounted on a Steadicam) and 3D imagery is very difficult to execute w...

Thanks all for those pointers. Interesting observation about the shrubs with lichen on, I wondered about whether that could make a difference as right next to the plant where I found the egg was a (much older?) plant covered in lichen.

Thanks again all.

Bill

padfield wrote:But never underestimate the sheer time involved!!

Thanks Guy, I think you have hit the nail on the head there.

Bill

For some time now I've wanted to carry out some checks on local Blackthorn strongholds for Brown Hairstreak eggs, on the basis that the eggs are suppose to be easier to spot than the adults. In order to get my eye in, yesterday I popped to Shipton Bellinger which I think is my closest known spot for...

Stunning set of images Pete, thanks for sharing.

Bill

It's now getting quite difficult for me to see a new species without travelling a fair way but I will try and get to see Glanville Fritillary and Lulworth Skipper and a confirmed Essex skipper. I've only ever had a passing sightings of Brown Hairstreak and Dark Green Frits so I'd quite like a better...

Nice one, Happy Xmas John and all, look forward to seeing the results of that lot!

Cheers

Bill

Just in case folks don't visit the original link, the original article was unverified and has been retracted.

http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.ph ... AwMTg4ODg1

Bill

Not sure if this is of interest to anyone as it is far easier to focus stack a stationary object like a fungal fruiting body than it is to stack a subject which is moving either under its own steam or being wind blown (or both). But I'll post anyway... 40D, Sigma 150, 1/13th f2.8 ISO200. I set the c...

Rogerdodge wrote:Paul
I think you fix the focus, and move the camera.
I am also not having geat success so far.
Cheers

?? Moving the camera will also change the size of the subject between frames won't it? Or am I being think again.

Bill

Nice one Gary , my local wood had 5 eggs which I've been checking back on over the last 6 weeks or so. I missed them emerge, only one egg is left now and that one is in the crook of a tree root so I can't get a nice position to separate it from the background.

Cheers

Bill

Here's another species I have wanted to find since getting a DSLR - it's Helvella crispa, White Saddle. The shot is focus stacked from 4 shots, Canon 40D, Sigma 150mm macro lens, tripod mounted. F2.8, 1/13 sec, ISO 200.

Cheers

Bill

Great picture Bill, and no I haven't forgot the £7 I owe you. I took down the forest at the weekend, no idea what it is, looked tasty bet it ain't. :?: Regards Gruditch Autumn floor 800.jpg Thanks Gary - have you had a chance to fiddle with your 150 yet and get the switch working? I think the one o...