www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Before I stat a poll in March, are there any suggestions for the 2011/2012 out of season competition categories.

Regards Gruditch

British Birds,,,,, or Birds that like Caterpillars.

How about a competition where dSLR cameras are banned ?

Charles

Zonda wrote:British Birds,,,,, or Birds that like Caterpillars.

Got that in the bag then Zonda

Cheers

Lee

How about butterfly habitats/sites?

A chance to display a few scenic shots which capture the mood of some of lovely places we visit... what d'ya reckon?

How about the naffest butterfly shot, only showing the waist up or with its head cut off thanks to the lack of skill of the photographer?

JohnR wrote:How about the naffest butterfly shot

Too easy - I have rather too many of the type where the butterfly simply wasn't there by the time I pressed the shutter...

As a category, how about "Posing with People"?

Dave

I liked the camouflage, more than one, caught in flight and moths categories the best this year.

The one I'd add that didn't make it is 'OAP' (most knackered).

Cheers

Lee

What about favourite shot of the year, Behaviour or Comedy Caption.
Or perhaps by colour, browns, blues etc or by family groups, frits, skippers, blues etc.
Just a thought

Denise

I think I can echo a part of Denise's suggestion.
Many butterflies are notable by their absence or low coverage in the competitions - the whites in general, and some of the commoer butterflies - so perhaps a category that was species/family specific would be interesting...

Charles Nicol wrote:How about a competition where dSLR cameras are banned ?

Charles

Sure -
but shouldn't they all be printed out at A3 size to be judged?
Seriously though - a good idea despite my irreverence!
I also like the "species" idea and "habitat" as alternatives...
N

I strongly agree with having the different families being used. Although there aren't many Swallowtails!

Most of the other suggestions seem to pander to member's personal photo albums. I think "photos taken by someone called Pete who lives in Berkshire" would be an excellent category

Cheers,

- Berkshire Pete

Pete Eeles wrote: Although there aren't many Swallowtails!
- Berkshire Pete

As a Fen boy I think Swallowtail is an excellent choice for our East Anglian members....

I think "photos taken by someone called Pete who lives in Berkshire" would be an excellent category

Could i enter this in the camouflage category?

..that's the best picture I've seen of you, Zonda.......

We've never met before but now I know why Zonda.

is that a Sigma in your camouflage suit or are you pleased to see me ?

charles

Nice camouflage, though on closer inspection it looks suspiciously like pre-1975 curtain fabric to me!

Turns a few heads in Tescos.

As a non photographer you could view my opinion in one of two ways; either utterly impartial, or not entitled to an opinion at all so go away.

However, I do take a great degree of pleasure in looking at the photographs on this website so here's my two penneth:

Close-Up, Camouflage, and Early Stages are excellent categories that have produced some lovely shots.

I can't stand the 'Butterflies & People' type categories! A photograph of a butterfly perched upon someone's thumb just says (to me anyway) 'human intrusion' which, from what I can gather, goes against the general ethos of the site. The juxtaposition of infinitely beautiful butterfly and chapped thumb with fungal infection of the nail-bed is grim. This category must die..!

Bird photographs are catered for on a plethora of other sites. This is 'UK Butterflies', not 'UK Butterflies & Birds'.

Habitat shots. I don't know. It would be difficult to determine habitat shots from general landscape photography. Almost all landscapes are habitats.

A family limited category has great potential (eg: Skippers, Whites, etc.).

'Caught in Flight' I imagine will possibly test peoples skills to the limit, and has to potential to produce some stunning shots.

'Moths' is surely a must. I know that this is 'UKB' but we should embrace moths also, and they do present a fresh set of challenges. Especially if the photograph is to be of an active specimen, rather than a roosting one, or some half charred blighter in the bottom of an MV trap.

'Courtship & Mating' would also give the photographers here a new challenge, and again produce some great images; particularly if people look further than just the usual resting pair of copulating blues.

'Ovipositing' would also be a challenge and require good macro skills, as well as a degree of field craft.

In July, how about banning 'Butterflies on dog turds'?

Felix.