Purple Hairstreak

[FlyByWire]

Got a couple of shots yesterday at Horsenden Hill:

http://piccies.flybywire.org.uk/Butterf ... treak1.jpg
http://piccies.flybywire.org.uk/Butterf ... treak2.jpg

Given how difficult I find it getting anywhere near this species I'm pretty pleased with these, even the one 'hiding' behind the leaf.

I did previously get a basking Male:

http://piccies.flybywire.org.uk/Butterf ... streak.jpg

But that was long range. The female above is my best yet.

All taken with Canon Powershot A80 in P mode (fixed to ISO 50), macro mode on, -1/3 compensation, press the shutter like crazy and hope for the best before it takes off again... Set for maximum jpg resolution / quality and crop down to size (no resizing done on the baskers). I also did a bit of light sharpening to improve definition. And had to brighten the female basker a bit as she was rather underexposed.

-Mike

[BirlingSteve]

Second one is particularly good - well done

[Susie]

Hullo Mike

Purple Hairstreak, taken with my Nikon Coolpix 3100 which was held together with an elastic band and has now given up the ghost entirely.

[Denise]

Hi Susie,

That is a fantastic shot! I hope to catch up with hairstreaks this year. I'm fairly new to butterflies and even newer to photography. Well done.

Denise

p.s. when and where did you take it?

[Susie]

They are lovely little butterflies. I got this photo by a complete stroke of luck as I was out for a run down a footpath just behind where I live (yes, I know, I used to take my camera everywhere!! lol) and she was freshly emerged.

Once you find a site near you they aren't too hard to spot but you will be lucky to see one close up, they are usually around the tops of oaks unless they come down to nectar on bramble flowers.

I hope you get to see some.