Which species would you choose as the jokers!?

I had a great couple of hours in the middle(ish) of Milton Keynes at the Blue Lagoon reserve, with the aim of seeing Small Blue, which seem to be hanging on by their wing tips there. One definite sighting, along with some lovely Common Blues. But no photos that seem worth posting. On the way out I d...

I'd not seen any butterflies for a couple of weeks so I was pretty much resigned to that being it for the year. Well, we had a pleasant surprise to have a Peacock land on my daughter's boot this morning [however the best was yet to come]: http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/walpolec/forum%20images...

brian laney wrote:If I do manage to get down to Kent I will let everyone know the outcome.
Brian Laney.

Hi Brian
I tried to PM you last night and today - but my messages remained obstinately in my Outbox. Anyway, thanks for your PM: did you go?!
Chris

millerd wrote:History in the making...

Dave

Shouldn't that be "History in mat-ing"


[Loving the whole LTB story even though I can't be part of it]
Chris

I would be interested to know if anyone sees any Long Tailed Blues over the weekend at Kingsdown. I would love to come down and see them. Brian Laney, Northamptonshire. Hi Brian, it's good to see someone else from Northants posting here! I too have thought about going down to see the LTB's but unfo...

lee3764 wrote:[We are just about to leave Cornwall for the trek!
Lee Slaughter (Cornwall).

Hope you remembered your passports!

All the best for the trip and fingers crossed it's a successful one for you!

Chris

David M wrote: ....as most Peacocks down here estivated 2-3 weeks ago.

Aha! So that's what happened to all of the Peacocks! That makes sense, thanks. (I had to look up the meaning of estivation though)

Hi Essex I really enjoyed reading about your experiences in Cornwall. We often visit my sister in Penzance (we're in Northants) and it was interesting to know what could be seen if you're in the right place at the right time! We visited Kynance Cove in August a couple of years ago and I got the feel...

I'd be grateful for some tips, please... Hoping to get down to Bedfordshire in search of Dukes this week and wondered if anyone out there could recommend specific sites to go looking. I'll have the kids in tow so searching time will be limited. :? Totternhoe, Whipsnade/Bison Hill... The great (by c...

At Totternhoe, once you leave the car-park, head-out North, along the path between the fields until you get to the hills and humps over the first field. Then, go right and head into those humps and hollows; the best places are at the eastern end of the hollows, where the Dukes hang-out on the steep...

Flying kites at the visitor centre at the top of Dunstable Downs is a good distraction for the kids, and the views are stupendous. For the butterflies here, you need to walk obliquely downhill southwestwards aiming to meet the B4540 just after you reach the bottom. About 2km each way, but the slant...

Just seeing if I can upload images from my ipad...

It would appear I can!

Pauline wrote: I tried to implement everything I have been told about focus and depth of field.....

I'd say you've nailed the depth of field thing. Lovely Small Blue shots, Pauline! Great how you got the background completely blurred.

Chris

I'd be grateful for some tips, please... Hoping to get down to Bedfordshire in search of Dukes this week and wondered if anyone out there could recommend specific sites to go looking. I'll have the kids in tow so searching time will be limited. :? Totternhoe, Whipsnade/Bison Hill seem the prime cand...

Thanks for the feedback. Seems I wasn't being unfair to think the boxes are a waste of time for butterflies. Luckily the relative who gave me the box lives a long way away and won't be asking me what's happened to my Christmas present! Actually, as the box looks quite nice I'm going to put it up and...

Wishing everyone at UK Butterflies a Happy New Year! I've taken great pleasure in hanging my UKB Calendar up today. Beaut photo of the Orange Tip to start us off. Hopefully it won't seem too long before we start seeing them for real. Along with some lovely butterfly coasters, another Christmas Prese...

Hi Eric My local Aldi had sold out ("try again in about six months" was the helpful advice)! By chance yesterday happened across another branch, pulled into the car park, left the family in the car, dived in and they had half a dozen left. V pleased to get one; from what you read on the va...

Eric, is this the one? http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/special_buys3_25956.htm Ta Chris Last year I said I had bought a bag described as a "Fishing bag" from Aldi for use as a camera bag. Very pleased with it & in use every day now & would not go out without it, zipped solid b...

Thanks for the ID, Pete! Good to know that I have found Essex just outside my back gate here in Northants!

Chris

Pete Eeles wrote:Hi Chris - the only way is Essex on that critter ID

Cheers,

- Pete