Purple Emperor at Fermyn Woods

Our RPS outing to Fermyn Woods produced the required target species Purple Emperor and 2 species of Hairsteaks (White-letter and Purple)  though not great  photographic opportunities. However, there were lots of other species to practise on including Broad-bodied Chaser, abundant Peacocks and Large Skippers.

Sunrise in Toft

 A few images from a recent early morning walk close to home in Toft. There was some mist to give a bit of atmosphere  but it was the golden colours that took my eye.

Bradfield Wood - Fritillaries and White Admirals

Bradfield Woods, Suffolk, has a very abundant population of Silver-washed Fritillaries along with White Admirals and Purple Emperors. We were not lucky enough to find the Emperors but the SWFritillaries were wonderful in the hot bright sunshine whether alone or interacting with other butterflies or insects. I was intrigued by the silhouettes that they cast through the leaves. 

The White admirals have very ornate underwings and simple upper wings. Image 7 shows that the scales that give the white colour are translucent letting the light through in the shadows.

Cyanotypes

Yesterday, I shared a day making Cyanotypes with members of Cambridge Camera club. Lots of fun was had doing both wet cyanotypes where various 'chemicals' can be added to the composition before exposing to the sun, and dry cyanotypes done on commercial precoated paper. As so often, it was the detail in some of the images before washing that took my eye.

Orchids, Moths etc at Buxton Heath

Buxton Heath outing was one of the highlights of this year for me with its wide variety of specialized heathland species many of which we managed to see. Here the Marsh Helleborine with its abundant  population of small insects, Southern Marsh Orchids, Beautiful Yellow Underwing caterpillar, Fox Moth caterpillar and Rusty Tussock moth flightless female egg laying. Final three Hoverfly Eristalinus sepulchre, Five-spot Burnet and the Bog Cricket

CCC Walk at Grantchester

Yesterday evening, we held our annual meet up and walk at Grantchester. Usually there are lots of Demoiselles, Mayflies etc to photograph in the reeds and long grass but this year has been so dry that insects were in very short supply but we our walk around the village produced plenty of photographic opportunities.