Saturday, August 3, 2013

HextonPits and Chalkhill Blues


 On Thursday we visited Hexton pits on the hottest day of the year (34 degrees) and witnessed the mass flying of what has been estimated as 10,000 Chalkhill Blues. I tried all kinds of lenses to record the flocks of Blues as they flew or were blown over the ridge of the chalkpit. In the end the 100mm macro standing well back proved the best. The Chalkhills appear brown when in flight unless the sun catches them as the blue is from the iridescent hairs on the body and scales on the top surface of the wings. Also recorded Large and Small Whites (photo above - identified by horizontal black wing patch - in the Large White, the patch curves round to also have vertical element), Peacocks, Gatekeepers. All the stems of the plants were covered in aphids.

Wicken Fen


 A bit of catching up from last week's trips. We visited wicken Fen on a cooler rainy day and it was pretty devoid of wildlife though lots of Peacock butterflies and Large Skippers (dark curved tip antennae) were on the wing.

Friday, August 2, 2013

Cambridge Rock Festival






 We were given free tickets to the Cambridge Rock Festival and braved the hot humid conditions for a visit on Thursday evening. As this was the first night, it was not very crowded but still a great atmosphere with everyone very friendly as you see where Phil is engaging in a beard competition (he loses!). The Jimmy Hendrix and Pink floyd Tribute bands gave great opportunity for colourful shots for as long as I could stand the heat in the tent.

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Anglesey Abbey

 A warm day last Friday visiting Anglesey Abbey. The couples walking on the lawns seem to be in a previous era and would certainly have been served well by the extensive range of bathrooms in the house.

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Light and Shade at Gamlingay

 A few images taken in a sunlit clearing in Gamlingay Wood. The Large and Green-Veined Whites were attracted to the Purple Loosestrife in large numbers while the Speckled Woods rested in the shade.

Monday, July 29, 2013

Sharpenhoe Clappers Butterflies

 We visited Sharpenhoe Clappers on our way back from Dunstable and were rewarded with great numbers of Chalkhill Blues. I was pleased with the mating pair but really wanted to record them in flight. I managed one flight shot which has the feel of the still hot day on a chalk hillside. Sixspot Burnets also in great numbers  and Brimstone (bottom image), Painted Lady, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Large Whites and Meadow Browns.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Kite Festival Dunstable Downs

It was very hot at Dunstable Downs for the Kite Festival and not enough wind for many of the kites but, even so, the various teams put on some very impressive displays, including one man who flew 3 kites, one from each hand and one from the waist. There were also some bizarre individual kites.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Vegetable Patch

 As I download my blog at the end of eachyear and print it as a diary (courtesy of Blurb's wonderful Blog to Blurb facility), sometimes in my entries I like to have images of the garden etc to make comparisons from year to year. This year the vegetable patch is very productive with the broccoli just coming to an end, tons of peas and courgettes and the runner beans about to start cropping.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Southwark Cathedral

 It is many years since I visited Southwark Cathedral so took the opportunity while in the area on Saturday to take some interiors - all handheld. It was cloudy so the lighting was soft which suited the architecture.

Ann Miles Photography - My Favourite Images of the Past10 years or so