APR_5877 Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia) reduced.jpg APR_5535 Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) and Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia) reduced.jpg APR_5541 Purple Emperor (Apatura iris) and Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia) reduced.jpg Purple Emperor reduced.jpg My nose detected an unpleasant...

Hello Matsukaze very pleased that I now have the chance to thank you for the Spring Ringlet location,exactly at the location you described,many thanks.
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JUN_8836 P alexanor ,Alpes-de-Haute-Provence .jpg My this years target species was Papilio alexanor, most comment read on the internet suggested that I was facing a challenging task but as sometimes happens lady luck offers a helping hand, passing what seemed a likely spot my wife suggests ,"l...

On the subject of the Var my wife and I have just returned from a three week stay in the Var plus one week on the homeward journey to the Brenne , my species count 49 ,six of which were new species for me. ,most were photographed in the Var,the Southern white Admiral escaped. Star attractions . Prov...

As I sat admiring our display of Polyanthus what should come along but a Humming bird hawk moth,i unusual for the time of year ?.
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Photo 1 and 2 ,Male Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia) 4-09-2013.seen in the grounds of the Abbaye de Maillezais, Vendee France.The Emperor appeared late afternoon, perched in a willow tree and defended its territory against all intruders ,it even chased after a passing pair of Goldfinch !!. Photo...

The Admiral and the Escargot,unusual lunch ? more pictures of this magnificent butterfly at http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com
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Hello Kev May I suggest a Nikon D800 coupled with Sigma 150 Macro, I find this combination delivers good result in the field, the D800 also has fill flash that can be set at 320 sec,very useful in windy conditions and shaky hands. For this year 2017 I now have the new Nikon D500 the DX format provid...