![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
After a little bit of searching it soon became evident that there were around five or six male Common Blues in a patch no greater than 5 metre square. Getting a good photo in 'poor light' with a hand-held Canon DSLR/Tamron 1:2 macro at 300mm was the biggest challenge.
Watching the Common Blues flitting among the tall grass stems was a pleasure
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![Surprised :o](./images/smilies/icon_surprised.gif)
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Parking on the beach car-park we had arrived too late (5:00pm) and the cafe was closing
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
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Remembering my findings from last year I searched an exposed area of shingle and grass close to the marsh area and was able to find Common Blue as expected. Unfortunately photography was impossible as the, roosting 'little flags' swayed back and forth in the wind. However on the seaward bank of Shingle I found a couple of Graylings using their nous in a much more sheltered area. When set up they kept low and went to ground as Graylings do. Finding them on shingle was much easier than the challenge they pose on heaths .... 2-0 to me
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
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![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Idea :idea:](./images/smilies/icon_idea.gif)
On the way in I stopped off at Saxtead Green and visited the post mill The kids enjoyed the steep climbs up steps through hatchways on various levels, and exploring the nooks and crannies of this 18th century grade II listed building. On the way back to the car I took a direct route across a grassy meadow and came across a Small Copper for this record shot. We carried on with our journey but when we eventually reached the tea-pot museum it was closed
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
So, we walked into town to check-out two shops recommended for serving cream teas. One didn't have any cream and the other had only two scones
![Rolling Eyes :roll:](./images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Back at the nick-knack shop we were given verbal directions on how to get to another cream tea establishment called "Crockery Barns". Eager to get a move-on I set off down a twisty backwater road I'd been directed to use eventually reaching the main road ..... and then a warning light came on as the petrol went onto reserve
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
![Mad :x](./images/smilies/icon_mad.gif)
So, all change, "lets find a petrol station". So on we drove and drove and drove (anxiety ramping up) on a seemingly endless twisty road until near Stowmarket we found our station.
By the time we got to Crockery Barns it was nearly 14:00.and the weather was HOT. Thankfully cream teas were in the offing as well as the optional extra of a wasp swatter. I don't like killing things but it's the only thing you can do when your kids create such a commotion that is liable to send the crockery flying. This was one of my main jobs on Holiday. The other was ejecting spiders from the cottage bedrooms and bathroom
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Refreshed, re-fuelled and ready to carry on (with a change of plan) we set off for Orford. The kids were keen to go in the castle. Once you get past the customary English Heritage membership sales pitch, you enter a fantastic building of four levels including a basement. There are loads of little corridors and side rooms to explore and the views from the top are fantastic. I've more or less ran out of butterfly pictures so I'm not sure I should be going on with this
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![Embarassed :oops:](./images/smilies/icon_redface.gif)
Briefly:- Crabbing on the Orford Quay. Next day packed for home with a couple of stop-offs in Southwold and Aldeburgh. Large numbers of egg laying female Large Whites along the sea front at Southwold (don't quite know what the plant is). Visit tp the Moot Hall Museum at Aldeburgh where there is an old insect cabinet of moths and butterflies .... not everybody's cup of tea but I do like to look at old collections. Finally long drive home in torrential rain on the A12 and M25. Next year Tenerife (again).
some common moth pictures to finish with:- Phil