www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Another cracking day's weather.. Orange Tip males patrolling in numbers, and 4 commas in a single scrap at one stage.





and I thought this one should be named "ee ba gum, this n's got some suction on it"

Today was a Hairstreak day. I had tagged the White Letter Hairstreak ovae I found earlier in the year, and today I took my son ( "Hawkeye") to see if we could find the resultant larvae.... he found 2!! I found none One was approx 12 ins from its ova, the other over a yard, presuming they originated where we thought....
C**p photo... larva 1

and a better one s1/250 f10 i124 larva 2 - about 5mm long real size

Later we went up to Grinton Moor in Swaledale to my "personal" Green Hairstreak site... none present on Friday, but 5 in total today... these were my best photo attempts...
all s1/250 f9.0 and i100




never noticed before, but if you look very closely at the heads, there is some green scaling at the root of the palpi

This couple were a late evening sight in the garden yesterday..
s1/100 f9.0 i200

Paul
Judging by your recent photos, you have really "got to grips" with that Canon.
Some excellent stuff there.
See you Friday week.

Thanks Roger.... we will certainly soon see!! Time is starting to travel more slowly now!!! but I have 6 working days to go!!! Roger that PBF photo is great, I must have a close look at the suggestions I have been given.

Spotted this roosting OT last night when too late to photo... got it this am and not sure about the result. The pale background is the pond reflecting sky, and the butterfly was in shadow... I could have taken the shot from the other direction, but would have got very wet.
Sensitivities on hold if anyone wishes to tell me whether it works - or not!!
s1/80 f6.3 i100

Certainly up to your usual standard, Paul.

Thanks David, I'm still not sure!! not my usual stuff.... have found 3 roosting GVWs tonight so may be some more photos tomorrow early.. Also a Red Admiral today here in my N Yorks garden... bit of a suprise.... still no Brimstone or Holly Blue.... you lot down south are sooooo lucky...

Dull but warm day up here. Went back to look for Green Hairstreaks again, but no luck at all But I did see my first Speckled Wood, daisy fresh female, but on a steep hillside I hadn't carried my camera up.
The GVWs noticed last night provided a subject... s 1/80 f8.0 i100

Lovely Paul.

Are you using a tripod or monopod?

Cheers

Lee

Tripod... I tried a monopod once, but it was cheap rubbish, the ball joint fell apart, and I couldn't hold the damn thing steady anyway..... so I cart a tripod round Here's a latish evening OT. - oh, and a Speckled Wood was in the garden this eve, but it had poorly inflated wings so not very photogenic... seemed happy enough flying around though.
s1/80 f8.0 i100

Hi Paul,
I am loving your Green Hairstreak shots...unbelievable!! The first one of the series my favourite. Nice Orange Tips as well...they are by far my favourite subject of all the butterflies...I am enjoying your experimentation with the DSLR...WELL DONE.


Iain.

Thanks Iain, you're too kind, maybe see you around Berwick area later in the year for some more practise

First female OT in the garden today... further afield....
More GHs, in moderately good weather.. 12 seen and some photos....
s1/100 f9.0 i100





and probably closest to what I want yet IMHO.. same parameters..



I really like Green Hairstreaks, would love to see avis, but I reckon it's unlikely, seems quite a tricky customer by what I hear. Still, plenty of other lifers likely to be forthcoming.. 6 days to LOTSW2.

My problem in Spain for avis was finding the foodplant, Paul. Unlike jasius, which uses the same foodplant, avis doesn't travel that far, so if you can't find the plant, you can't find the butterfly. But since jasius is generally quite common, the plant must be around...

Guy

There is hope then

Pic for today... s1/250 f9.0 i100

My wildflower patch is coming to life....


and the local WLH cattys are growing up...

How long are those catties now, Paul?

Guy

I would say 10-12mm - I found 3 of them not far from the last time I put photos up. I'm just praying feeding birds don't see them as well