So for both the 'angle of light = angle of observer' and 'look directly down' rules to apply, you'd have to use flash perhaps?

Thanks Phil. I don't know if I feel better or worse now seeing those fantastic pictures

I posted this shot in my diary recently: http://www.pbase.com/dilettante/image/160782398/original.jpg Despite spending a lot of time with this specimen on the ground, I didn't get any shots with both wings purple. Is it just a matter of luck / expert timing, or is there something more I could have d...

Scarlet Tiger moth I'd say ukmoths link

Saturday 18th July 2015 On a visit to my parents' home in Hampshire, we took a trip to Noar Hill. Apart from a few Marbled Whites and of course Gatekeepers, Meadow Browns and Ringlets, there wasn't much of interest butterfly-wise. But the orchids were amazing - thousands of Pyramidals, and some (ra...

Saturday 11th July 2015 Another trip to Gamlingay Woods, Cambs, and its neighbouring Sugley Wood. First spot on arrival was a nice fresh Comma http://www.pbase.com/dilettante/image/160714268/original.jpg Comma This was one of many we'd see today - often in twos and threes spiralling around. We star...

Not bad, I suppose, if you like that kind of thing.

4th July 2015 My wife is never very keen on the nettles growing in the garden. I always say "but the butterflies like them!", partly as an excuse to avoid gardening. In truth though I'd never seen any evidence to support my assertion until this morning, when I saw a Small Tortoiseshell la...

Sunday 21st June 2015 A breezy and overcast but warm afternoon, so I went to Therfield Heath, near Royston, Herts. This is normally a good site for Marbled White, but it seems their emergence has not started in earnest yet. I did find one. and another later, both of which were distinctly camera shy...

Thusday 12th June 2015 An after-work visit to Magog Down just outside Cambridge in the gorgeous sunshine. The Down is looking great: http://www.pbase.com/dilettante/image/160397882/large.jpg http://www.pbase.com/dilettante/image/160397884/large.jpg Butterflies were few and far between however. Seve...

Lovely photos, Bill, especially the first and the third

Saturday 30th May 2015 After a freezing cold night's camping near Ivinghoe, we made the short journey to Dunstable Downs parking at the NT visitor centre. The day was brightening up, but it was still pretty cold with a stiff wind, so I wasn't hopeful of butterflies, but I'd come with my family for ...

Saturday 16th May 2015 Took a trip to Newmarket to look for Dingies on the Devil's Dyke - it was quite windy, so I wasn't sure I'd have any luck. There were quite a few Brimstones and Orange Tips near the bottom of the dyke, but my first nice surprise was a fresh Brown Argus. The sides of the dyke ...

The moth is a Mother Shipton.

any feedback is most welcome. I make things up as I go along, but all input is gratefully received :) Since you ask :-) here's one thing that bugs me: The menus at the top are really hard to navigate on mobile (touch-based) devices. They work well when you can hover a mouse pointer over them, but w...

It was nice to see Holly Blue, Orange Tip and Brimstone in the garden simultaneously today. Also funny to watch a White of some sort chasing after a bit of white blossom blowing in the wind. The bluebells are looking good at Gamlingay Wood, with some of these Early Purple orchids amongst them: http:...

Thanks again. Dukes and SB in the one visit would be nice.

Last time I was there (my diary page tells me it was 15th May 2011) I only found a couple of SBs, but it was a cold and grey day

Thanks very much. Sounds like I should take a hard hat!

Thanks both!

Kev, I fixed the Google maps link.

Dave, if I understood your instructions you're pointing to here (Google maps)?

Ah, Pitstone is walking distance from where I'm staying. Is the quarry here (Google maps)? [link corrected]