Tuesday 17 July 2012

Butterflies

There was a strange yellow thing in the sky on Sunday and so, armed with my new camera I set out for a local wood called Bedford Purlieus to see if I could photograph some butterflies.

This wood is known for a few species, the White-letter Hairstreak, the Purple Hairstreak, the Silver-washed Fritillary and the White Admiral. Only two of these species were seen, the Silver-washed Fritillary and the Purple Hairstreak, the other two were absent, either not yet emerged or missed during the visit. There were good numbers of Silver-washed Fritillaries present, I counted at least 12 of these lovely butterflies, the largest of our fritillaries, but there were just 2 Purple Hairstreaks present, with myself seeing the one and that was thanks to a lady who kindly showed me where she had seen it cowering in the long grass. There were good numbers of Ringlets and Meadow Browns present and I saw at least 4 Commas, but the White-letters and the White Admirals were notable by their absence.






 Thi Purple Hairstreak was very tolerant, crawling on to my finger and just sitting there while I took this shot!


My new camera is a Canon Powershot SX40 HS, what is known as a `bridge` camera, halfway between a `point and shoot` and a DSLR. I have bought it really to use in photographing insects as I was sick of the creature flying away when approached with my little A640. I have yet to master the settings etc as I have only had it a week, but will hopefully mange a few more half-decent images in the future ( any pointers form those more experienced photographers out there would be gratefully received! ).

34 comments:

  1. These are excellent John.

    Strangely enough, most of the butterflies I've seen recently have been Ringlets and Meadow Browns. A terrible summer though for our wildlife in general.

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    1. Thanks Keith,
      I read something the other day that inferred that the `brown` butterflies tended to be less affected by bad weather and will fly in what other butterflies would consider poor conditions.
      A terrible summer indeed.
      J

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  2. The Purple Hairstreak is brilliant find, and Silver-washed Fritillaries. I take my hat off to you.

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    1. Thanks Bob, I didn't know that you wore a hat! ;)
      J

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  3. That's a super little camera John and it gets really good write ups in all the reviews. There is no RAW shooting in it, but thats not the end of the world. You have proved it by taking some fantastic shots. The SW Fritillary images are really beautiful and it was a good specimens as well.
    Just think, you won't have keep bashing the A640 about and calling it strange names anymore.{:)

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    1. Hi Roy,
      Strange names, I don't know what you mean! ;)
      I have read good reviews about it too, that and the Nikon, but settled on the Canon as I am more used to the layout.
      The Fritillaries were in pretty good nick, considering what they have been through with the weather just lately!
      J

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  4. Hi John... Looks like these are a bright spot with the inclement weather you have been having there!!
    They look great!! I know about the disappearing insects, it happens to me a lot!! : }
    Grace

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    1. Thanks Grace, yes, just a ray of sunshine amongst the clouds! Hopefully they won't disappear too much now with my 35x zoom!
      J

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  5. The Powershot is doing a grand job for you. It is still very rare to see any flutters round here, let alone one which will stay in one place!

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    1. Hi John,
      Thank you. Butterflies are finding it hard with this weather, they are having to battle with the rain as well as unseasonable cold.
      J

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  6. Beautiful photos with your new camera John! It sounds like an excellent place to visit. I would be particularly thrilled with the SwF and the PH. Of course this year any butterfly sighting feels like a special occasion!

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    1. Hi Jan,
      Thank you, I am still getting used to it, but hopefully I will improve!
      Yes, any sighting leads to excitement at the moment! A sad sign of the times.
      J

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  7. Beautifully clear photographs. Love the tiny chappie on your fingertip.

    Paul

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    1. Hi Paul,
      Thank you for the visit, the kind comment and the `Follow`.
      J

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  8. Great shots of butterflies, especially that little one perched on your finger. I have a similar camera to your new one but the Nikon version and I love it. :)

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    1. Hi Gillian,
      Thank you. Yes, I was toying with choosing the Nikon, but plumped for the Canon, as I am used to the layout etc. Hope I made the right choice!
      J

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  9. Hi John. Just for clarity which butterfly are we seeing in the first lovely shots here?
    Click here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. Hi Bazza,
      Sorry, I should have put that shouldn't I?!
      The first shots are of a couple of different Silver-washed Fritillaries, then a Purple Hairstreak and the final photo is of a Comma.
      Thanks for saying that they are lovely, I am still trying to get to grips with the new camera, but bear with me!
      J

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  10. Hi John, just came across your blog and noiw following and added to my blog list, some great images on here to look back on now!! Regards Gary

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    1. Hi Gary,
      Many thanks for your visit, comment and `Follow`. Hope you won`t be too disappointed with my wafflings! ;)
      J

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  11. Hello John, just dropped in for a visit from Grace's Grammie's Ramblings blog and enjoyed the butterfly captures. Fritillaries are among my favorite species. Like yourself, I also like Canon products having owned. Canon digital Rebal years ago. I currently use a Canon PowerShot S130 and also always carry a Canon digital Elph everywhere. While I am not familiar with your new camera, I am sure it will give you a lot of good photos as seen here.

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    1. Hi Beatrice,
      Thank you for your visit and comment. I hope my camera does indeed give me pleasing shots, although I have a lot of 'messing about' with it first to get the right settings etc.
      J

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  12. Greetings John,
    Ah yes, I saw but a fleeting glimpse of that mysterious glowing orb in the sky.
    And luckily, such light captured and enhanced the beauty of those butterfly photos. Thanks John. As per usual, superb photos.
    In peace and good wishes, Gary

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    1. Hi Gary,
      Hopefully it will make a return this weekend, fingers crossed!
      Thanks for your kind words, my friend,
      J

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  13. Hello,
    Nice and detailed photos about these butterflies. Seems Purple Hairstreak was quite brave :)
    Have a great weekend John!
    Greetings, Miklos

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    1. Hi Miklos,
      Thanks for your visit and comment. I think the Hairstreak was a bit cold which is why it was so easy to touch!
      You have a great weekend too!
      J

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  14. Looks like you've got a perfect partnership,your new Canon looks the business.
    great images .
    John.

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    1. Thanks John,
      Only time will tell, but I am quite pleased with it.
      J

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  15. Darn! I was at the edge of Bedford Purlieus a couple of times recently, but didn't see any SW Fritillaries. I've only ever seen them in the New Forest. Nice job with the pics.

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    1. Hi Aliqot!
      I have seen them on my past couple of visits, but the numbers aren't that great, possibly due to the rain.
      Thanks for the visit and the kind comment.
      J

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  16. Aha, the new camera post! ;) You and your Bridge camera are proving quite a team and I'm sure it's great fun getting to know each other. I have a bridge camera too, got it just before I started my blog. Mine's a Fujifilm and I wouldn't be without it now.

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    1. I am slowly getting used to it, still a way to go though, as can be seen from the examples above!
      J

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  17. Hi John,
    I'm currently in the process of writing an article about Purple Hairstreak, I'm interested in your photo in this post. Please could you find out and provide me with the exif data in regards to the original time the photo was taken ? The time is really helpful to my research, furthermore was this photo actually taken on the 17th July 2012 or a previous date ?
    Thanks for your time, Jamie.

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    1. Hi Jamie. The photograph you speak of was taken on the Sunday, which was the 15th July 2012. The time of photo was 11.14am. Hope this helps.
      J

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