I hate to argue, but I have a Canon 100mm f2.8 macro lens which is superb, but my favourite lens to use for butterflys is a zoom. I use the Canon 100-400L IS with 3 extention tubes on my EOS 1DmarkII N. It gives superb detail and a working distance of about 4 feet, not the "inches" of a zo...

hjalava wrote:The name of the species is Papilio (Heraclides) cresphontes (Giant Swallowtail).

Thanks, Harri.

I've just seen one sunning itself on a wall here in West London. It'd be interesting to see how late they stay out for and if it's location related.

Martin.

I was in the Florida Keys for the last couple of weeks on a fishing trip, but managed to get a quick snap in the garden one morning...



Martin.

Lang's Short-Tailed Blue laying eggs http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/V6GTO/Butterflies/_AAA0357-1LangsSTB-LayingE.jpg African Grass Blue http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/V6GTO/Butterflies/_AAA0166-1AGB.jpg Holly Blue http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/V6GTO/Butterflies/_AAA0230-1Hol...

Good Luck!

Martin.

eccles wrote:Nice one Martin. How big is it?

There is quite a bit of variation but they average between a 1p and a 5p piece...the smallest being the size of my little finger nail!

Martin.

My highlights? Apart from re-kindling my love of butterflies... 1) Finding ukbutterflies.co.uk (and Pete :D ) 2) Getting Lafranches ID book in the post 3) Photographing the smallest butterflies I've ever seen...African Grass Blue. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/V6GTO/Butterflies/African-Gras...

Todays best shot (out of 5). This was taken with a 400mm and extention tubes lens from about4 feet, and is quite a severe crop.



Martin.

Tickable/not tickable? Who cares? They're beautiful and I wish I could go and see them!

Martin.

I found a patch of wild mint by a stream and counted 11 today

Bear in mind these are the size of the nail on my little finger!



Martin.

Yep...that is in good knick...just like this large white I got today, just a pity it was in shade.



Martin.

Martin.

Are those some kind of parasite on the CB?

Martin.

Small Copper is the best for me out of a great bunch of images. I think you are going to enjoy your camera!

Martin.

Small Copper?

Martin.

I think this is what you have...

http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=3862

Martin.

I don't think I've seen enough to have a real favourite, but I allways have an eye out for Swollowtails

Martin.

That's a great choice! Better start making arrangments now for selling a kidney...buying camera gear is more addictive than crack cocain!

Martin.

Very jealous Andy

Martin.