Insect
21.03.22
The first of many, a Peacock butterfly sunning itself up on a tree stump. Didn't expect to see many butterflies at this early in the year and it looks like it taken the winter pretty well!
///samosa.swear.blubber
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
240mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/640s / ISO 200
19.10.21
This is the first time a dragonfly has ever let me physically pick it up and not freak out. It didn’t stay for long but still amazed me that it just hopped on my hand!
///evidence.villa.reunion
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
65mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/250s / ISO 200
07.10.21
Not sure what would be left in the undergrowth at this time of year, this fly did a good job of keeping still.
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
200mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/125s / ISO 500
28.09.21
Probably the worst conditions for macro, but in between gusts of wind and this wet stuff falling from the sky, I managed to grab a few shots of a Common Blue. What I didn’t realise is I’d accidentally destroyed a spiders web which he wasn’t too pleased about. Sorry Mr Spider.
///patterns.squares.circled
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
200mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/125s / ISO 400
17.09.21
There comes a point when you get to know a spot extremely well. To the point where you can guarantee to find dragonflies and the precise location they tend to rest.
Backlit from the sun with the background positioned into a shady area which worked well but the down side is the blown out areas on the eyes. Not much I could do about that though.
///ambivalence.quaff.impresses
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
250mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/200s / ISO 250
15.09.21
Finally, the opportunity presented itself with not one, but over ten Peacock butterflies all in one small area of the reservoir car park. I only pulled up there to figure out where I was going to head to.
///vaccinated.crinkles.conversions
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
195mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/320s / ISO 400
10.09.21
Probably the last of the year for the butterfly hunt. Still keep an eye out for interesting looking bugs but as the greenery fades way for the autumn, so do the insects.
///imprints.smarten.bestseller
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
220mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/400s / ISO 320
03.09.21
It’s that time year when you may notice a few more eight legged creatures lurking in the hedges.
///swerving.techy.placer
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
250mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/320s / ISO 200
30.08.21
The sun came out for a few hours so I took myself out for a stroll around Port Soif. Still plenty of life left on the ground but it won’t be for much longer.
///aspirins.chum.arrow
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
250mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/125s / ISO 250
25.08.21
Another day, another bug hunt. Loads of these Red admirals around at the moment.
///puppies.shaggy.anonymously
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
235mm / ƒ7.1 / 1/160s / ISO 400
23.08.21
As the name suggest, they’re easily mistaken for a hornet, but they’re harmless to humans. Recorded as the largest species of Hoverfly in the UK.
///bumblebees.configure.fluke
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
200mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/80s / ISO 400
09.08.21
One of the five dragonflies darting around in the same small field below St Saviours Church. Although there were five, they were on a feeding frenzy and just wouldn’t stay still, until I clocked this one land on an apple tree. It didn’t really move but trying to get a clean contrasting background was tricky. The dark areas came from the shady area under a tree about 20 metres away.
///diplodocus.frontrunner.placing
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
220mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/320s / ISO 320
04.08.21
They’re very common, and they’re blue but there’s a very subtle difference between the male and female’s.
///grammars.potential.bogus
03.08.21
For months I’ve been trying to grab a shot of a dragonfly. They’re all over the place but trying to find one that’ll stay still and allow me to get close is hard work.
///herbs.holding.dethrone
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
240mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/160s / ISO 320
25.06.21
Set myself a colour theme today to make things a bit easier. There’s green everywhere you look but delve deeper into the green grass and you’ll see more than first meets the eye.
When these crickets are fully grown their wings grow the entire length of their body and I’ve seem them take off and fly pretty far!
///scaffold.wellies.output
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
125mm / ƒ7.1 / 1/320s / ISO 320
09.06.21
Macro, a miniature world that often gets overlooked. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that every time I see a butterfly you have to actually say in your head ‘ooh, a butterfly’, or maybe it’s just me!
Difficult to photograph during the day as they are most active and don’t like to stay still for long. This one looked a bit battered and seems to have lost part of it’s leg from the rough winter.
///arrive.diddled.coughed
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
220mm / ƒ7.1 / 1/640s / ISO 200
28.08.20
The humble garden spider. Are you a lover or a hater? Watch out for those ones that come out from under your sofa with the TV light casting a shadow that makes them look like tarantulas!
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
250mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/125s / ISO 500
24.08.20
The motivation just wasn’t there again today. Macro is great to fall back on, if you can find the subject. Butterflies are out in abundance at the moment but no doubt they won’t be around for much longer.
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
210mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/500s / ISO 400
19.08.20
A few days ago I found a great butterfly spot next to the reservoir but most are only active when the sun’s out. The one butterfly you can always rely on to be out and about, whatever the weather, is the common blue. Hard to spot but being so small you can maximize the depth with macro.
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
250mm / ƒ7.1 / 1/250s / ISO 500
17.08.20
An accidental find hidden deep a Buddleia bush, probably a Jersey Tiger Moth but there’s a fair few variations of this kind. I was following some butterflies round, and these bushes are heaving with them at the moment, until this caught my eye.
Canon EOS 70D - EFS 55-250 USM
250mm / ƒ8.0 / 1/250s / ISO 400