Seriously, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to explain this stuff to me and I shall try hard to put it into practice. I guess I shall have to go back to the camera manual as I have no idea how to focus on the eye. At the moment a little green square appears on the area which is focussed but this is much bigger than a butterfly eye. Perhaps other users of this camera could enlighten me? I also tend to use the screen rather than the viewfinder as I find this easier but presumably I should use the latter? I know there are other novices reading this diary so your tuition will undoubtedly be useful to them also. Well, I took the following batch before I read your post so they may not be up to scratch but I shall keep trying.MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! It was third time lucky with the roosting Dingy Skipper but not only did I find 1 I found 6!! I have not been to Butser Hill for many years and it is even longer since I have been down Rake Bottom. In those days I had a Springer Spaniel called Orion after the constellation in which he was born, and he was such a bundle of energy. We would go down into the valley and he would race up and down those incredibly steep slopes without ever seeming to tire. But I am older now and less fit than I used to be and my knees and leg muscles proved this to me as I went down the slope which felt almost vertical. The suffering was worth it tho' because as soon as I got to the bottom I spotted my first roosting Dingy. Result! Well, I was delighted! Frustratingly there was a strong and cutting wind blowing through the valley which hampered photos so I carefully marked the position of my butterfly with the intention to return. No need. As I made my way along the track I discovered one after another making a total of 6. What surprised me most was the variety of dead plants on which they were roosting. One plant in particular was quite spiky but without exception the butterflies were all incredibly well-camouflaged. To get one shot I accidently sat down in a patch of nettles which was quite uncomfortable for some hours later. It wasn't too long before I had the photos I wanted and as I began the steep ascent this little fellow caught my eye, perched right on top of a teasel. Yes, David, yet another Grizzled Skipper! I am astonished that he chose to roost there as there were so many other opportunities available to him but it was reminiscent of the Glanvilles at Wrecclesham whom I have frequently found roosting on teasel. Perhaps the sharp points provide a measure of protection against predators although I would have thought that spiders could negotiate these easily and the position of the butterfly leaves him fairly vulnerable and open to bird attack. And plenty of birds there were too. A couple of Whitethroat flew past me, skylarks were singing their little hearts out and the regular sound of the cuckoo were the only distractions. I continued slowly up the hill and noticed a small black rabbit sat at the top watching my progress. The views when I arrived at the summit were breath-taking. The fields looked like a patchwork quilt, the yellow rape complimenting the slopes which were littered with cowslips. Not another soul in sight. Magic! I wish I could have captured the whole of the very beautiful and panoramic view but opted instead for the steep slopes leading down to the valley.
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