Mark Colvin

[essexbuzzard]

Wow,these are fantastic images,Mark! I still have much to learn...

[Goldie M]

Hi! Mark, your photo's of the PBF are great, I've not been on my computer much lately ,but to come on and find all these great photo's is a real treat Goldie

[Mark Colvin]

Thank you both.

I really appreciate your comments

Kindest regards. Mark

[Mark Colvin]

Springhead Hill, 29 May 2013

Small is beautiful ...

To say that I got rather wet yesterday would be an understatement. After a prearranged visit to the 65 acre Arundel Wetland Centre, to commence a survey to determine the habitats and butterfly species present, I headed, with the clouds now darkening in the sky, to one of my favourite locations – the beautiful Springhead Hill. Fortunately, I knew where the Small Blue were likely to be resting prior to the imminent storm, and I was lucky to find two individuals and get a few quick shots before the deluge occurred.

I’ll choose better weather next time …

[Mark Colvin]

Springhead Hill, 1 June 2013

Beauty in miniature ...

After much of the day’s heat had passed, I paid a brief visit to the beautiful Springhead Hill, with the sole aim of capturing the tiny and charismatic Small Blue (Cupido minimus) at roost. I was pleased to be joined by good friend Nick Broomer. When we arrived at around 5pm insects were still on the wing, though it wasn’t long before the first of a number of Small Blue were found roosting, as is generally customary at this location, amongst grass tussocks in sheltered areas.

The first image shows a male. The second and third images are both females.

With the light fading we said goodbye …

[nomad]

Superb images of the lovely Small Blue. Peter.

[Willrow]

Simply delightful Mark!

[Wurzel]

Lovely shots of a lovely little gem Mark

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Mark Colvin]

Dear Peter, Bill and Wurzel.

Just to say a very BIG thank you for your very kind comments

I hope the pictures gave you as much pleasure as I got from taking them.

Thanks ...

Kindest regards. Mark

[Mark Colvin]

West Sussex, 3 June 2013

An early evening stroll.

And I almost didn't take my camera ...

[David M]

Mark, I'd be very surprised if you went anywhere at this time of year without your camera.

[Nick Broomer]

Another lovely photo Mark, the ball of light behind the subject really works well.

All the best, Nick.

[Neil Freeman]

lovely image of a beautifully marked Dingy Skipper Mark

''..almost didn't take my camera".....I can only imagine it was a momentary lapse, not to be repeated

All the best

Neil F.

[Mark Colvin]

Thank you.

Your comments are appreciated

I can only imagine it was a momentary lapse, not to be repeated.

It won't happen again ...

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

[Mark Colvin]

West Sussex, 6 June 2013

Before work ...

A male Grizzled Skipper at roost ...

[nomad]

Mark, really lovely shots of Skippers. The background really allows the full detail of the butterfly to be shown. The shot of the Dingy is one of the best that I have seen, a perfect capture. Your images certainly help to brighten up ones day after a hard days work. Peter.

[Mark Colvin]

Thanks, Peter.

That's really kind of you to say

I don't find Skippers the easiest of subjects - but I like a challenge. The female Dingy is my favourite.

Kind regards. Mark

[David M]

Your photos are really spectacular, Mark. They imply a great deal of patience and forethought (not to mention 'bushcraft').

What equipment are you using? You make it all seem so easy.

[Mark Colvin]

Hi David.

Thank you for your kind comments

Thanks to Neil’s original recommendation, I just use a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45 bridge camera with the dedicated close-up lens (DMW-LC55) and adaptor (DMW-LA5). The camera has its own macro setting but I don't use it. I really like the Lumix as it is light, easy to use, and most importantly produces the type of images that I favour. Bushcraft and patience are obviously very important and I certainly feel that being an entomologist in the first instance provides me with a better understanding of what I set out to photograph. I do possess a Canon 7D and all the extras to go with it, as a future project is to undertake some detailed entomological macro photography – I just have to learn how to use it all.

To date, all my butterfly pictures on UKB were taken with the Lumix.

I know Neil wouldn't swap his and I certainly won't be swapping mine ...

Hope that helps.

Kindest regards. Mark

[Mark Colvin]

West Sussex, 9 June 2013

A welcome return ...

The not so common Common Blue of last season, appears, at least locally, to be making a comeback this season. Most of my local sites seem to be showing a small, though important population increase over last year. Looking at reports from further afield, this trend appears to be occurring elsewhere.

Long may this continue …

Undoubtedly one of my favourite species …