Thank you Mike and Goldie - your comments have been a great source of encouragement.
I like to look back over the season – to review what I have learned, what I should do differently next time, and make comparisons with previous seasons.
When I look back at this season I think the thing that I shall remember about it most was the wind – 2012 was the season of the rain when I got soaked almost every day and my camera almost lived under my t-shirt, but 2015 is the year I struggled most to get photos because of the wind; struggled, in fact, many days just to keep the subject in the frame. It was therefore no great surprise (but still disappointing) when I looked back at my photos to find a great many of them blurred and out of focus. I find it is far easier to be objective, less emotive, about my photos when some time has elapsed since they were taken and I am a little bit removed from the whole exciting and enjoyable experience of finding, watching and photographing these insects. It is clear to me that my photography skills need to be further enhanced and refined. I need to expand my technical knowledge and find ways to deal with external factors (such as the weather). I still need to react quicker to get the shots I want but on this point I believe I am hampered a little by my camera.
The second negative factor for me in 2015 has been the very few sightings I have had of Purple Emperors . I would have thought that the leg work I put in across a number of sites would have led to more success, and in comparison to previous years I certainly would have expected to have seen more. I can only conclude that numbers this year must be down on previous years but I am sure there will be some expert opinion expressed on this issue at some point.
The highlight of the season for me has to be seeing those magnificent Monarch butterflies at Brighton – it is something I shall always remember and great to have shared the experience with other enthusiasts. I appreciate that there is some concern regarding their provenance - but there was a sighting of one coming in from the sea. Apart from my trip to Brighton I have stayed quite local this season and have not gone out of my way to chase after various species. Nevertheless, I still managed to see and photograph 47 species.
My interest in rearing has grown, mostly because of my fascination regarding the various transitions. It was therefore a pleasure to rear earlier in the season my DGF, WA, SWF, Comma and Small Tort. I find the process educational and exciting and there is such a sense of satisfaction when a successful outcome is achieved. More lately I am rearing Common Blue, Small Copper and 100 Large Whites (although I didn’t realise there were that many when I put them in a cage to save my rabbit food which they were decimating). I now find Bright-line Brown Eye moth larvae are decimating my tomatoes! at least I think that's what they are. One of the larva which is now clearing up the remains of the Blackcurrent - what little there was left after the 11 Commas (sorry Andy):
On the subject of moths I have recently become totally hooked and I am now in the process of purchasing the ‘on loan’ moth trap. I never expected that my interest would grow in that direction. From being impressed by the larger moths and their larva, such as the Emperor moth and the Puss moth (both of which I have also reared) I have now also been known to photograph the odd micro moth.
My interest in the immature stages has continued to grow and I believe this interest has its roots in the Hairstreaks that I reared last year. I have spent a little time monitoring DoB eggs and their larva in the wild and was fortunate enough to find a Ringlet larva and Small Skipper larva whilst doing this. I have watched a number of species egg-laying in the wild including SSS, Small Copper, Common Blue, Silver-studded Blue, SWF, Small Blue and many more.
For now, for me, the season has drawn to a close but I would like to think I have increased my knowledge and improved my skills. If neither of those things are true then at least I have had a smashing time, had some great experiences with some great people in some fantastic places. I really can’t ask for more than that. I shall leave with a few reminders of my season:
I shall miss this website and contact with others over the winter but it is time to turn my attention to other priorities, not least house and garden maintenance, including animal accommodation. I shall leave you with a couple of shots of Heidi enjoying freshly picked plums and an envious April. See you soon guys.
but I agree that I also can't see the cat in the first shot - no matter how hard I look 
