Studio Macro Session at Pitsford

A few images from a studio macro session on Wednesday. I particularly liked the first two, taken with the Fuji X100V (23mm lens plus close-up filter); rest with 80mm macro. The moths are Poplar Hawkmoth, Spectacled, Hebrew Character and Brindled Beauty 

Macro Day at Pitsford SSSI

I took part in a Macro session at Pitsford SSSI yesterday run by Naturetrek and led by Dave Jackson. A very enjoyable day though insects were a bit short on the ground (and in the air) with no damselflies and only a very few of butterflies. It was good to not be in 'recording mode' as for nature surveys but to take time with each photograph. Here are a selection of my favourite 'in the field' shots. We also did a studio session (in the open air of course) - images to follow

Two New species in One Day

 I was lucky enough to see and photograph two new species on Sunday - the White-faced Darter and the Raft spider. The latter is an impressive spider with a body length of 2 cm and very long legs - I had difficulty even with focus stacking getting all the body and legs in focus so went for a head-on shot. There are three different Raft spiders shown. It was a cool and windy day so the second dragonfly failed to expand the wings perfectly but it managed to fly.

Woodland Birds Take Two

Is it safe to dive? A second attempt at capturing the birds coming to a woodland clearing for scattered food, again with very diverse lighting. 

Beetles and Butterflies

This amazing Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris) was photographed at Eardington NR - this species is mainly nocturnal so a very lucky find. Supporting cast  are a Scarab Beetle and Green Nettle Weevil. Surprisingly no Ladybirds seen. Male and female Orange Tips, Green-Veined White and Comma are from the Severn Valley.