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This thread is here to allow you to cast your votes for the March 2009 competition. See entries at gallery's, photo competition, March 2009. Voting closes on the 20TH.

You need to be registered and logged into the forums, where you'll be able to cast your votes for your three favourites. Once you've voted, that's it!

Please note : Any self votes will be removed !.

Gruditch

Congratulations to The Gatekeeper, a worthy winner. Well done to Paul Brock, for a well deserved second place, and Pete for third. Sadly Pete, the standard must be dropping, as you used this same shot last year, and it came no where.

Must think of a new theme for next year, as it's sure to win.

Gruditch

Gruditch wrote:Sadly Pete, the standard must be dropping, as you used this same shot last year, and it came no where.

Really? Must be a pretty poor category then as far as I'm concerned - I tend not to take photos of human beings or fingers

Although I liked Gatekeeper's entry!

Cheers,

- Pete

I'm not to fond of butterflies on fingers either, and as this category seems to encourage that. I will have to think of a replacement for next year.

Gruditch

Pete Eeles wrote:

Gruditch wrote:Sadly Pete, the standard must be dropping, as you used this same shot last year, and it came no where.

Really? Must be a pretty poor category then as far as I'm concerned - I tend not to take photos of human beings or fingers

Although I liked Gatekeeper's entry!

Cheers,

- Pete

Well, thanks to everyone who voted for me, particularly as it was my first ever entry.

For the record I think it was a worthy category

and since people have such a key influence on all wildlife, not least butterflies, maybe keeping it in future years might encourage (or challenge?) us all to try and capture that influence and of course enjoyment that butterflies bring to us all.

I think this is reflected in the four photos that got the most votes here. It also gives everyone an opportunity for a little humour and where the standard is so high for standard shots of butterflies, an opportunity for a different type of photography to do well - but hey, what do I know?

The Gatekeeper

Hi Gatekeeper, you got my vote too.

But I'm afraid that, because this category attracted the least entries, in the out of season comps. Then it is going to be dropped, for a season or two at-least.

Gruditch

Pity the category will be scrapped (and not because I have more butterfly release pictures!).

Excellent 'fun' image from Gatekeeper, which must have deservedly had just about everyone's vote. It's the type of image the press would love, rather than a 'normal' butterfly picture, ideal publicity for something like the opening of a new reserve, or a leaflet [Gatekeeper, you probably already have an agent?!].

Thanks for those who voted me into runner-up spot, I thought there were several creative images and good to see a wide spread of votes.

Paul

Pete Eeles wrote:

Gruditch wrote:Sadly Pete, the standard must be dropping, as you used this same shot last year, and it came no where.

...- I tend not to take photos of human beings or fingers
Although I liked Gatekeeper's entry!
Cheers
- Pete

Likewise, Pete - people are far too difficult; give me butterflies any day!
But Gatekeeper's shot captured the spirit of the competition so beautifully, I think no one could resist it!
And why not put this category in for next year? (I suppose I was stretching it a bit; but fingers, however beautifully photographed, are not that attractive! So some lateral thinking was needed... ). I guess I can only think of one reason not - we have a March Butterflies Competition, if the seasons keep coming earlier as they have been....I probably had more good sightings in March, until the recent weather, than April! N

No sorry guys, it's got to go.
Of the themed competitions for 07-08, Three, Behaviour, Camouflage, and Butterflies and People, drew the least entry's with 16. So I opted to drop one of them, Camouflage, and replaced it with Photo-shop, which turned out to be quite popular.
Whichever category got the least entry's for the 08-09 comps, was always going to be dropped. Especially so, as Butterflies and People was last again, and with one entry less than last year.

Mind I have no idea what to replace it with, maybe Moths taken in the 2009 season.

I can hear Pete now, "MOTHS".

Gruditch

OK moths is good

How about something a little more difficult such as "butterflies and their foodplants" -- this is the way they are often illustrated in books and would be fun I reckon.

Alexander

It would be fun to know at the beginning of the season what the themed categories will be, so we can keep an eye open for photo opportunities during the year. I like 'Butterflies and their food plants' - a good idea.

Guy

I agree.

I think moths apply to any category anyway. For example, if someone wants to enter an Elephant hawk larva in the "Immature Stages" competition, then that's absolutely fine. In fact, if someone wanted to enter a dragonfly nymph (for example) I wouldn't object to that either. At the end of the day - it's the voters that will decide if they think the subject is relevant!

Gary - I agree with Guy that knowing what the standard 12 categories are would help anyone who enters the competitions to focus (no pun intended!) on competition-winning shots, if that's their inclination!

Cheers,

- Pete

I think moths apply to any category anyway. For example, if someone wants to enter an Elephant hawk larva in the "Immature Stages" competition, then that's absolutely fine. In fact, if someone wanted to enter a dragonfly nymph (for example) I wouldn't object to that either. At the end of the day - it's the voters that will decide if they think the subject is relevant!

well, true, but I disagree about dragonflies, moths are fine as Butterflies and Moths are "Lepidoptera" its what this site is about, butterflies and lepidoptera.

Anyway, I voted for The Gatekeeper too, knew that was a winner when I saw it. The photo I had was the only one I had which involved humans. I had some more, but I could not find the pics!

Gary - I agree with Guy that knowing what the standard 12 categories are would help anyone who enters the competitions to focus (no pun intended!) on competition-winning shots, if that's their inclination!

I also agree. It would be good to know in advance what the competitions are going to be, so I can be ready, as I, sometimes, I am lucky to have a shot for the winter month competitions, sometimes.

Pete Eeles wrote:I think moths apply to any category anyway. For example, if someone wants to enter an Elephant hawk larva in the "Immature Stages" competition, then that's absolutely fine. In fact, if someone wanted to enter a dragonfly nymph (for example) I wouldn't object to that either. At the end of the day - it's the voters that will decide if they think the subject is relevant!

Admittedly people do frequently enter moths in the comps, but they never to get much of a look in at vote time. I think it would be nice to see one win, plus, it will make people take a little more notice of them in the field. "Moths count", as they say at the BC.

Dave McCormick wrote:well, true, but I disagree about dragonflies, moths are fine as Butterflies and Moths are "Lepidoptera" its what this site is about, butterflies and lepidoptera.

I agree, next thing you know we will have birds in there, yuk.

Pete Eeles wrote:Gary - I agree with Guy that knowing what the standard 12 categories are would help anyone who enters the competitions

What do ya think I'm trying to do here


Gruditch

Cor! The next thing will be flies..... (and before you know it UKB is UK.Everything that creeps crawls and flies
No objection to moths tho'...)

I think I will go with Moths, it will add a little incentive for those that have been thinking of getting a moth trap.

Nice pic BTW Nick.

Gruditch

Moths Lovely Moths, Just in case any of you think Moths are not the equal of Butterflies, Have a look at this Pale Prominent. Steve

and this Mullein... from31st March