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Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:12 pm
by Jack Harrison
I too liked the photo diary. Sums up in an easy-to-absorb way.
My best year ever was 1976 with all 58 of the mainland species. Since then, only 2010 has come anywhere near with just 52 plus Camberwell Beauty.
This year on Mull, I have hardly needed two hands to count the species despite it being a very good summer.
But I have to wonder: if Scotland becomes independent would we have our own list? Another matter that has yet to be discussed by the campaigners.
PS. Just cast my postal vote in the referendum. Discretion prevents me from letting you kNOw how I voted.
Jack
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2014 4:51 pm
by MikeOxon
Thank you Jack. As I replied to Pauline, I also thought I'd leave a little ID exercise, as well.
On a few occasions over the years, I have met a guy at Whitecross Green Wood, who aims to see all the British species, every year! We've never got to exchanging names but, if he's on here, I hope he succeeded this year
I am hoping that all the canny folk from the Highlands and Islands will be casting their sensible votes.
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 9:29 pm
by MikeOxon
Yesterday, 29th August, I made a visit to relatives in Somerset, near to
Cadbury Castle. It was not a photographic trip, so I had only taken my small Lumix TZ25 compact. As it happened, the garden had many Vanessids, feeding on figs and other flowering plants. The TZ25 has the same sensor as my FZ200 and is capable of similar results but I found it much more difficult to frame my shots on the screen, in the bright sunlight.
Here are two of the many
Red Admirals enjoying figs:
![RedAdmirals-Figs.JPG (127.86 KiB) Viewed 975 times Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014<br />Lumix TZ25 - 1/800s@f/5 ISO100](./files/thumb_11310_8f34c1281bc825deeb36a6549df109db)
- Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014
Lumix TZ25 - 1/800s@f/5 ISO100
I noticed that at least one of the Red Admirals had white spots in the red band, characterised as ab.
Bialbata. Since I first noticed this aberration at Fermyn Wood, a couple of years ago, I have found that quite a number of my photos are of this form, so I suspect that it is more common than is usually assumed. Indeed, back in 1911, Dr. Maurice Goetghebuer noted that this form was common in Flanders, occurring as frequently as the type. He suggested that this aberration could be seen as a return to the ancestral form or, perhaps, it is the true type of
atalanta?
![RedAdmiralBialbata.JPG (107.44 KiB) Viewed 975 times Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014<br />Lumix TZ25 - 1/320s@f/4 ISO100](./files/thumb_11310_048c5ba97fc8aa62d3174f4eecca4727)
- Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014
Lumix TZ25 - 1/320s@f/4 ISO100
In addition,
Small Tortoiseshells and
Commas were plentiful, although they seemed more interested in flowers than figs:
![SmTortCadbury.JPG (107.1 KiB) Viewed 975 times Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014<br />Lumix TZ25 - 1/250s@f/4 ISO100](./files/thumb_11310_483b906df3357cdfff20ecb0ecff7d39)
- Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014
Lumix TZ25 - 1/250s@f/4 ISO100
![Comma-Cadbury.JPG (106.21 KiB) Viewed 975 times Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014<br />Lumix TZ25 - 1/160s@f/4 ISO100](./files/thumb_11310_5a16c7fb44a4725ca505294d64469605)
- Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014
Lumix TZ25 - 1/160s@f/4 ISO100
As well as the butterflies, I also spotted a Mint Moth (probably
Pyrausta aurata - though I cannot discount the possibility of it being
P. purpuralis)
![PyraustaAurata.JPG (68.05 KiB) Viewed 975 times Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014<br />Lumix TZ25 - 1/80s@f/3.3 ISO100](./files/thumb_11310_73fb1fd1ac01772e1891ae6f8fdb41b5)
- Sutton Montis, Somerset - 29th August 2014
Lumix TZ25 - 1/80s@f/3.3 ISO100
Unfortunately, my journey home was
very protracted, due to a major accident having closed the A303 near Stonehenge.
Mike
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:08 pm
by Wurzel
Lovely Comma and white spot Red Admiral Mike
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
I know what you mean about the A303 I've been caught out by that stretch of road many a time - and I always avoid it from midday on Friday until Sunday if at all possible
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:13 pm
by MikeOxon
Wurzel wrote:I know what you mean about the A303 I've been caught out by that stretch of road many a time - and I always avoid it from midday on Friday until Sunday if at all possible
My relatives did warn me to look for alternatives but I carried on regardless
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:00 pm
by MikeOxon
Recently, I recommended the 'Irfan View' image editing program.
WARNING - However, another member has advised me that, when she downloaded it recently, her computer became infected with the Trojan program 'Blasteroids' , so at present, I cannot recommend downloading it.
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:44 pm
by peterc
Regarding the Irfanview program I suspect it depends upon the supplier of the download software?
Peter
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 4:09 pm
by MikeOxon
PeterC - I'm sure that you are right and that this is not in any way the fault of Irfan himself.
Unfortunately, even formerly-reputable download sites now 'bundle' dubious software and, if you are not very alert, it is all too easy to download unwanted rubbish. This can be navigated around by the computer-literate but makes life very difficult for many people, so I decided it's best not to expose others to this minefield.
It is very sad that rampant commercialism means that anything 'free' is now exploited by the unscrupulous.
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 3:11 pm
by MikeOxon
We have just returned from a very sunny weekend in South Wales, where we visited the orchid show at the
National Botanic Garden of Wales. While my wife was engrossed in the orchids, I explored the flower beds for butterflies. At first, it was quite a cool, cloudy morning and the first butterfly I saw was a
Small Tortoiseshell warming itself on the stones at the side of the path:
![SmTort1Wales.jpg (114.6 KiB) Viewed 885 times National Botanic Garden of Wales - 6th September 2014<br />Lumix FZ200 (at max zoom) - 1/800s@f/4 ISO160](./files/thumb_11310_d3f38aac1808abc1206ea35f007f8fa2)
- National Botanic Garden of Wales - 6th September 2014
Lumix FZ200 (at max zoom) - 1/800s@f/4 ISO160
As the sun broke through, more butterflies appeared, the many
Small Tortoiseshells being joined by good numbers of
Red Admirals as well.
![SmTort2Wales.jpg (92.38 KiB) Viewed 885 times National Botanic Garden of Wales - 6th September 2014<br />Lumix FZ200 (FL=93mm) - 1/800s@f/4 ISO160](./files/thumb_11310_b438d645e293c6e07896e30300189248)
- National Botanic Garden of Wales - 6th September 2014
Lumix FZ200 (FL=93mm) - 1/800s@f/4 ISO160
![RedAd1Wales.jpg (97.97 KiB) Viewed 885 times National Botanic Garden of Wales - 6th September 2014<br />Lumix FZ200 (at max zoom) - 1/1600s@f/4.5 ISO160](./files/thumb_11310_b19b1e6c6c5ae968710205a64f0c1c4f)
- National Botanic Garden of Wales - 6th September 2014
Lumix FZ200 (at max zoom) - 1/1600s@f/4.5 ISO160
Speckled Woods inhabited the woodland areas while the Brassicas in the Wallace Garden were proving very attractive to
Small Whites.
In the afternoon,we visited
Aberglasney Gardens,fascinating for the cloister garden and the indoor 'Ninfarium', built within the ruinous central rooms and courtyard of the mansion. The flowers in the gardens were proving especially attractive to Red Admirals, as were the cordon fruit trees along the walls.
On the way home, we paused for a cup of tea in a lay-by on the A40 and I spotted a lone Small Tortoiseshell that had found a small clump of flowers on the roadside verge. My photo includes a distant view of the Brecon Beacons in the background.
![SmTortA40Wales.jpg (197.5 KiB) Viewed 885 times A40 verge near Sennybridge, Wales - 7th September 2014<br />Lumix FZ200 (FL=8mm) - 1/800s@f/4 ISO160](./files/thumb_11310_55fd7bc44bb84ebae0538e5348b75733)
- A40 verge near Sennybridge, Wales - 7th September 2014
Lumix FZ200 (FL=8mm) - 1/800s@f/4 ISO160
Mike
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 8:58 pm
by Wurzel
Lovely report Mike with some great shots. The last one is great and could easily be a Benningfield painting
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:33 pm
by MikeOxon
Thank you Wurzel - I'm pleased you enjoyed it.
That type of shot is very much easier with a small-sensor camera than with an SLR. The butterfly was higher up when I first saw it but moved lower, so that I had to get right down on the ground for that shot. Unfortunately, that meant that the Beacons were rather hidden behind the hedge-row.
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:19 am
by David M
MikeOxon wrote:We have just returned from a very sunny weekend in South Wales, where we visited the orchid show at the National Botanic Garden of Wales
A lovely location, Mike. It's amazing what they've got growing there and the plants hang on in right till mid-November.
I must get over there myself in the next couple of weeks.
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:54 am
by MikeOxon
Indeed it is, David.
Our first visit was soon after the garden opened and they were just starting work on clearing the walled garden. It is amazing to realise that everything in there has only been growing for a dozen years!
There was a patch of wild plants (buddleia and mints) near the old wall, by the entrance to the tropical house, which was proving a magnet for the Small Tortoiseshells.
![SmTortsNBGW.jpg (202.1 KiB) Viewed 834 times National Botanic Garden of Wales- 6th September 2014<br />Lumix FZ200 (FL=13mm) - 1/800s@f/4 ISO 160](./files/thumb_11310_5719c45bea0d4890ccbdbf69285cf884)
- National Botanic Garden of Wales- 6th September 2014
Lumix FZ200 (FL=13mm) - 1/800s@f/4 ISO 160
They preferred those plants over all the gaudy garden plants, so many of which are 'all show and no nectar'.
Mike
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:40 pm
by MikeOxon
I spent this afternoon (9th September) on a very quiet, but warm and sunny
Otmoor. Several migrant waders have been reported over the last few days but the only one I saw was a Green Sandpiper.
Green-veined Whites were abundant along the verges of the paths; indeed these were the only butterflies I saw, apart from a single Red Admiral, which flew over as I was leaving.
![GvW2-Otmoor.jpg (50.54 KiB) Viewed 810 times Otmoor, Oxon - 9th September 2014<br />Nikon D300s with 300f4 lens + 1.4X TC - 1/1000s@f/9.5 ISO400](./files/thumb_11310_a15414fe4d523ba3966acec416bacc28)
- Otmoor, Oxon - 9th September 2014
Nikon D300s with 300f4 lens + 1.4X TC - 1/1000s@f/9.5 ISO400
![GvW1-Otmoor.jpg (110.52 KiB) Viewed 810 times Otmoor, Oxon - 9th September 2014<br />Nikon D300s with 300f4 lens + 1.4X TC - 1/500s@f/11 ISO400](./files/thumb_11310_0b8f235b885efcf1c98bd3d525e49c84)
- Otmoor, Oxon - 9th September 2014
Nikon D300s with 300f4 lens + 1.4X TC - 1/500s@f/11 ISO400
I watched a Heron fishing for some time. It had a few failed attempts and then succeeded in spearing a large Roach - I feel I can see a smile on the birds face!
![HeronOtmoor.jpg (107.34 KiB) Viewed 810 times Otmoor, Oxon - 9th September 2014<br />Nikon D300s with 300f4 lens + 1.4X TC - 1/750s@f/5.6 ISO400](./files/thumb_11310_e7c391e4908576000c4ad00ec946d9a0)
- Otmoor, Oxon - 9th September 2014
Nikon D300s with 300f4 lens + 1.4X TC - 1/750s@f/5.6 ISO400
There were also several dragonflies, including this Migrant Hawker that hovered very co-operatively in front of my lens.
![MigrantHawkerOtmoor.jpg (38.09 KiB) Viewed 810 times Otmoor, Oxon - 9th September 2014<br />Nikon D300s with 300f4 lens + 1.4X TC - 1/1000s@f/5.6 ISO400](./files/thumb_11310_6c15a14c0a5d64a7fe8addfe030fdf2a)
- Otmoor, Oxon - 9th September 2014
Nikon D300s with 300f4 lens + 1.4X TC - 1/1000s@f/5.6 ISO400
Mike
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 5:45 am
by Pauline
Lovely shots of the Dragonfly and the Heron Mike. I can't imagine it is a common sight seeing them catching fish of that size - you did incredibly well to catch it on camera.
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 11:05 am
by MikeOxon
Thank you Pauline. The Heron was a case of watching and waiting! It was a lovely sunny afternoon, so I was happy to watch the world go by for an hour or so.
I chose the shots in this post to show where the DSLR scores - high speed action and isolating a subject from the background.
I've been using the Lumix FZ200 quite a lot recently, so had to remember to use small apertures for the butterfly shots. Even at f/11, the GvW wings are not all in focus.
Mike
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 2:07 pm
by CJB
Amazing Dragonfly picture Mike!
Flutter on!
CJB
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 4:32 pm
by MikeOxon
Thank you, CJB. I had the right camera for the job - I think it would be tricky with an iPhone - that's not a challenge
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2014 9:46 pm
by Wurzel
That is a stunning Dragonfly shot Mike, and the first Green-veined White is so crisp
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: MikeOxon
Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:58 pm
by MikeOxon
Thank you, Wurzel. I find depth of field, especially when using a DSLR, to be a tricky subject. Sometimes a shot at a smaller aperture (higher f number) seems worse - it's all to do with selecting the right spot on which to centre the focus. That first GvW shot works because I was exactly perpendicular to the wing surface and managed to get the focus spot-on. I also selected spot metering, to keep detail in the wing, although it makes the background sky look dark.
The dragonfly kept returning, to hover at the same spot for a few seconds at a time. I fired a burst on continuous shutter (7 fps), then selected this frame because I liked the positions of the wings. For in-flight shots, I select Aperture Priority mode, with the aperture set wide open, so that the camera selects the highest possible shutter speed for the lighting conditions.
Mike