Pond Skaters

I filmed these fascinating insects, Pond Skaters (Gerris lacustris) - also known as Water Striders, Water Skimmers, etc. - on October 8th this year on a pond in Clyne Woods, Swansea:

Marbled Whites

Nicholaston Burrows on the Gower Peninsula is a good place to see Marbled Whites, surely Britain's most-beautiful of this butterfly family. Despite the fairly overcast conditions on Monday evening, a few sunny intervals had goaded maybe a dozen of these 'leps' into action. The semi-cloudy conditions meant they were perhaps more docile than usual, and I was able to sneak up for a few handheld close-ups with my 90mm macro lens:

I returned again on Wednesday evening, but was greeted by a shower and far fewer butterflies. This shot, taken with my 70-200mm mounted on a tripod, and using an extension tube to enable closer focus, was all I could manage:

This wet summer has been very poor for butterflies, so to get any shots of them in the bag was a bonus!

Common Blue

I walked down to the beach again today in late afternoon sunshine, hoping I might find a few butterflies to photograph. Unfortunately, the sun went in as soon as I arrived, and stayed hidden until dusk. All I saw were a few Small Whites, and a handful of Common Blues. I was able to follow one Common Blue to its roost on a grass stem, and, during a brief lull in the wind, was able to get a couple of decent close-ups using a Tamron 90mm macro lens mounted on a tripod:



Painted Ladies

During sunny periods yesterday, I saw my second and third Painted Lady butterflies of the year; again amongst the dunes at the top of Swansea Beach.

I had gone down there looking for birds (although I didn't manage any decent photos of them), so I had to press my 500mm lens (with extension tubes to allow it to focus close enough) into action for this shot, as the butterfly rested on the sea-wall when clouds pulled overhead:

I tried a different approach here, coupling a 50mm f/1.8 lens to a 2x converter, a combination I hadn't tried before. Sharpness is so-so on the original, although hopefully it looks okay here:

As soon as the sun came out, the butterflies came to life again, mainly feeding on a small group of Red Valerian plants. I was back to the 500mm lens for this shot:



Red Admiral

About this time last year, I spotted a Silver-washed Fritillary butterfly around Bishop's Wood near Caswell Bay on the Gower Peninsula. I've been there several times during the last month, hoping to find one or more of this species, but have only had two sightings - one on Wednesday, and one on Friday. Both individuals were elusive, so I didn't manage any pictures, but I did obtain these shots of a Red Admiral today, feeding on Hemp Agrimony:



Painted Lady

Whilst walking along the dunes at the top of Swansea Beach this past Monday, the 25th, I spotted my first Painted Lady butterfly of the year:

If you do spot a Painted Lady in the U.K. this year, do add your sighting here - http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/sightings/1097/painted_lady.html - and do your bit for science!

Grasshopper

I had a walk around the dunes at Nicholaston Burrows this evening in the hazy sunshine. A few Marbled Whites were still around, as well as a single Comma on the edge of the woods, and a Kestrel was hunting over the dunes. Grasshoppers were everywhere, and I managed these few shots of a co-operative individual:

Is it a Common Field Grasshopper?

Marbled Whites

The recent warm weather has brought out plenty of butterflies, including these Marbled Whites, Melanargia galathea, which I photographed in the last few days at Nicholaston Burrows on the Gower Peninsula:

Still working on getting some Fox shots!

Butterflies

On Wednesday, August 4th, I went round to Caswell Bay on the Gower Peninsula near Swansea. I walked up through a grassy area above the bay, near Bishop's Wood, and saw a Silver-washed Fritillary butterfly feeding on the pathside flowers. I was very pleased, as I had only seen this species once before, and had no idea there were any in this area. Unfortunately, this individual was a little tatty, but I still took a couple of pictures:

Whilst there, I was also able to photograph this Speckled Wood butterfly:

The following night, I came down with sickness and diarrhoea, and was out of action for a week. (Maybe something to do with the dodgy takeaway sausage I ate at Caswell Bay!)

The few times I've been out photographing since, I've been concentrating on butterflies, as I've been having autofocus problems with my various cameras and lenses, which has ruled out most bird photography.

I've found 'Cabbage' Whites quite difficult to photograph, as they seem to be constantly on the move, so I was pleased to photograph this Large White on my first tentative walk out after illness:

I spotted my first Comma of the year in the same area:

I went round to Caswell Bay again, to see if I could see any more Silver-washed Fritillaries. No such luck, but I managed a couple of shots of Meadow Browns:

And another Speckled Wood:

There seems to be a glut of Small Tortoiseshells this year (unlike last year, when I hardly saw a single one round here). This individual was in the Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park:

There are still plenty of Common Blues flying around in the sand dunes on sunny days:

Along with smaller numbers of Small Coppers:

This Speckled Wood was posing obligingly on some Oak leaves on the edge of the local golf course:

There is a Buddleia bush on Swansea seafront which is blooming later than most of the others, and is thus proving a magnet to local butterflies, including the numerous Small Tortoiseshells:

and Red Admirals, which look great from the front:

or the side:

Last year, there was a large influx of Painted Ladies, but, until the last few days, I hadn't seen a single one this year. However, this bush has now pulled in a half-dozen or so of these beauties:

I also saw my first Peacock of the year a couple of days ago:

Thanks to those who have commented in my absence, and I hope to post more very soon!

Common Blues

The last few days have been mainly cloudy here, with occasional periods of sunshine. When the sun has shone, it has brought out plenty of butterflies to feed on the flowers in the dunes at the top of my local beach. 'Cabbage' Whites (Large and Small Whites) have been probably the most conspicuous, due to their large size and fast-flying ways, but I've also seen a few Small Coppers, and, today, a bright yellow Brimstone. However, the most numerous seem to be Common Blues. The males are particularly striking, and range from this tatty individual, feeding on Common Ragwort:

to this pristine specimen:

The females have a beauty of their own, their wing colour ranging from a dark brown, to blue with just a few brown markings:

Here's one in the wings-folded position:

And, finally, a mated pair:

I haven't done much butterfly photography, so hope to get out and sharpen up my techniques before the summer is gone.