I think I remember reading (even though I'm a non-Canonista!) that there is a compromise when longer focal length macros are used without a tripod (even more with zooms). The "optical-lever" effect worsens with longer f lenses and increases camera shake, and even with vibration reduction t...

I've watched hornets taking Orb Web spiders; they fly into the web as though they are potential lunch for the spider, which then rushes over. After a few secs of mayhem, the hornet starts taking the legs off the spider one by one, grasps the body in its mouth, and then revs up until it breaks free o...

Another hazard to add are these.......(it attacked me this lunchtime while I was stalking a Chalkhill Blue).

Chris

A popular (ie boring) theme of which macro lens to go for...... There is a good and detailed review of mid focal length macro lenses in last week's Amateur Photographer for those considering buying a macro lens. The lenses tested are the Nikon, Canon, Olympus and Sigma, 50, 60 & 70mm lenses. The...

I have read that the processional caterpillers (pine and oak) have particularly unpleasant hairs and that there have been fatalities due to workmen having had their sandwiches under a tree, ingesting hairs and developing an abscess somewhere nasty - impossible to verify 100% (?), but sounds feasible...

What are peoples' views on the accuracy of distribution maps in eg Collin's new guide? I have just received my copy, and very good it is too, but I was struck by the differences that always appear between books for the distribution maps. A good example is for a species I see quite often in France (S...

I visit the Pays d'Auge quite often, but I don't think I've seen Map Butterflies there, only in the Loire region or further south, or once or twice in central Brittany in the past.

I spotted this one 2 weeks ago in the Indre region:-

If you get the chance next time, try the valleys north of Milan close to the Swiss border - they are absolutely glorious for b'flies (I spent a happy 8 years working there....).

Chris

Thanks for this - I looked at Guy's page and agree wholeheartedly with the points made about jizz, appearance etc. I saw this frit or another like it a few days earlier and assumed it was a Small PB Frit, although it flew oddly. I had a few attempts to get some images, but it was very reluctant to s...

A bit non-UK, but I thought someone here would be able to confirm the ID as a Violet Frit?? seen roosting in Central France on Monday just before dusk (hence the low lighting levels).

Does anyone know how many common species there are around in the UK? Looking this weekend at a patch of Downland turf with primulae, I noted about three (apparently) different types, although I wondered if there is sexual dimorphism as well??

This was the commonest type:- ID ?

I remember asking one of our pro photographers at work why all of our 100+ digital cameras were Nikon. His reply was that Nikons still worked after they had been dropped. It would be interesting to know whether you folks out there would agree with that...?

Thanks for this. I've used RegiStax for astro images of planets (another hobby), but there are size limitations for files, although it certainly helps where there are less sharp areas in images. What I had in mind was the kind of thing that the next generation of DSLRs are said to be likely to incor...

Somewhere out there, I'm sure that there are still a few old fogeys like me who still use slide film (as well as a DSLR). I have a relatively low resolution slide scanner (2400 dpi) which gives good, but not brilliant scans compared with the original slide. Rumour has it that, if you scan a slide a ...

Thanks Guy

I had a look - no doubt about it. On my way home I saw a lot more by the Thames at Culham. I hope they are not eating all our leps larvae....

A bit off topic really.....but are there any ladybird-ologists out there? I've just had a number of these very large (8mm), slightly odd looking ladybirds on my window ledge in S. Oxon. Are they harelquins? Some yellow, some tawny, some dark red. Sorry about the poor picture quality.... http://www.p...

The Nikon came out as very good indeed, but of course, it is more expensive and has a lot more features such as the noise reduction. For the price, the Sigma was well rated.

Choice of macro lens has come up as a topic a number of times. Anyone buying a macro lens might like to check out the excellent comparison of six different 100mm (also 90mm) macro lenses in Amateur Photographer. This week contains comparative tests for Canon, Sony and Tamron, and a few weeks ago, th...

Manual! As well as the points made above, I find that the sounds of a/f may also spook some butterflies. I preset focus and move the camera forwards into focus, using either a Tamron SP90 (digital) or a Nikon Micro 60mm. This summer, I chased a Black Veined White around a meadow (Loire) for half an ...

Looking at close up images of a Small Elephant Hawk that came visiting last night, I notice that the eye appears to have a central dark area, rather like our eyes and not like the usual insect compound eyes. Does anyone know if this is real (why?) or an artefact caused by the flash?? http://upload9....