Botany Bay, 2 August 2011 A brief visit to a very hot and humid Botany Bay early this afternoon produced good numbers of 2nd brood Wood White including a pair in copulation on the flower head of the larval foodplant Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis) . After a short time observing them they were...

Hi Vince,

Nice find. Russwurm figures something very similar as ab. graafi.

Kind regards. Mark

Thanks Guys, I'm glad you like the pictures. I have to say I'm very pleased with the results I've managed to produce with my camera particularly when you consider I only purchased it on 23rd June 2011 and have never done any insect photography before. I think it proves you don't necessarily need tho...

Two species of Hairstreak photographed in one day!

Now that's going some.

Well done.

Kind regards. Mark

Friday, 29 July 2011 After what seemed like a long trek up to Heyshott Escarpment in the hope of finding roosting Dingy Skipper, a long wait ensued before finding a single male Chalkhill Blue on one of the upper slopes (after just over 1 hour of looking!). A single Meadow Brown and single Speckled ...

Hi Neil,

Nice report.

Aston Rowant looks like a nice piece of ground. Its not a site I know. Is that the M40 to the left of the picture?

I always struggle getting a good shot with Skippers so well done.

Looking forward to Part 2.

Kind regards. Mark

Thanks Neil, I'm glad you like them.

nfreem wrote:It was only the other day that I managed to find one that was not deep down amongst grass stems.

Exactly my problem the other day.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Sussex Kipper wrote:but I could never have predicted the large slice of Lady Luck which was waiting for me the following morning.

This is worse than Agatha Christie!

Great shots Neil.

Kind regards. Mark

Alder Platt Meadow, Plaistow, 27 July 2011 Armed with appropriate nasal spray and irritable eye drops (other products are available) I ventured into the long grass aware of the dangers that lay ahead! The Small Heath were waiting in ambush and this time they played ball and presented themselves wit...

Love the Chalkhill Blue shots particularly the first image. Very atmospheric. I almost felt I was there.

I must visit Denbies some time as its not very far from me and it appears to be very productive.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Neil.

Glad to see you're are getting to grips with the close-up lens. Great 1st Brown Argus shot.

nfreem wrote:Dark Green Fritillary - after much patient waiting

I gave up waiting!

Keep up the good work.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Lee, Glad you like the shot. I was particularly keen to get an image of one nectaring (not sure if its male or female). In the end I managed to get several shots with this, in my opinion, being the best. There were certainly a lot of Grayling about though difficult to put a number on how many. I ...

Dawney’s Hill, 25 July 2011 Travelling down the M3 early this afternoon led me ‘quite by chance’ to Junction 3 and even more conveniently I had to pass Dawney’s Hill … and it was time for lunch! My first visit to Dawney’s Hill was on 18 July 2011. Grayling were once again by far the most prolific s...

Hi Lenny,

Image 073 is a Meadow Brown.
Image 079 is a Grayling.
Images 081 and 082 are both Scotch Argus.

Kind regards. Mark

Alder Platt Meadow, Plaistow, 24 July 2011 It wasn’t until 6.15pm that I managed to get out and take a short walk through the small copse and into the grass meadows close to my home. Armed with my camera I managed just a few record shots (my spirit was lifted). The Small Heath were just not playing...

Hi Anthony.

It's a Brown Argus. I'm fairly sure it's a female.

Kind regards. Mark

Kithurst Hill and Hog Wood, 23 July 2011 After early rain the sky cleared and the sun came out. By 9am I was walking through the wet flower meadow at Kithurst Hill. The ground was warming quickly and the numerous male Chalkhill Blue were taking in the heat of the early morning sun. I was pleased to...

I agree with Chris.

Spiked Speedwell (Veronica spicata) looks most likely.

Kind regards. Mark

Hi Lee.

Its a male Speckled Wood. The others are female Gatekeeper and two Commas.

Kind regards. Mark

Thanks Lee.

Glad you like the shots.

Lee Hurrell wrote:Is that view looking north? If so that's probably the clouds and rain that have been stuck over London this afternoon.

Probably as thats the direction I sent them.

Kind regards. Mark