www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

I'm new to taking pictures of butterflies, my camera is a samsung 15 optical zoom, 14 mega pix. So not really a professional

Hi Dan,

I suspect you've caught a red admiral in the act of egg-laying there! I'm not a photographer either, so I won't comment on the pro stuff, but my advice would be that when you see a butterfly down among the foodplant like that you should try and position yourself (without disturbing her) so you can see her doing the actual laying bit. It can be very interesting to watch and photograph egg-laying. When she's finished, examine the leaves carefully and you might get some egg photos too!

Guy

PS - I'm a big softy, so I always wait for the female to fly away before I look for the eggs, so she doesn't think some creature is about to take all her brood! I KNOW she doesn't really think that, but it just seems more respectful that way.

Better still if you can photograph Red Admirals actually mating.

That'd be a REAL money shot.