Zonda

[Zonda]

I know what you mean,,, and i feed Goldfinches all year round. How would i get pics like this otherwise.

Another pic from the same shoot.



However,,,, now the hunt is on,,, and i am driven with something of a heart condition all over the Dorset hills in search of bleeding butterflies. If i can't photograph a Green Hairstreak this year, i might never achieve this ambition.

[Jack Harrison]

I prefer the second pic. I hadn't thought the first could be bettered, but...

Green Hairstreaks are easy but of course very local. The love to settle of fresh hawthorn leaves when the camouflage is superb. But they will come to ground level (eg to egg lay). Superb butterflies - my second favourite species after Orange Tip. My third favourite? Not sure. Marbled White probably.

Jack

[Zonda]

Thanks Jack.

[Lee Hurrell]

Zonda those Goldfinches are just stunning, simply stunning.

If you can make it up to my way, well, J5 of the M40, I can (near as dammit) guarantee you some Green Hairstreaks

I'll be going to check if they're out very soon.

Cheers

Lee

[Pete Eeles]

Another pic from the same shoot.

I think that has to be one of the loveliest photos I've ever seen. Composition, colour ... just awesome! Thanks for sharing!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Jack Harrison]

Pete:

I think that has to be one of the loveliest photos I've ever seen. Composition, colour ... just awesome!

Makes you want to give up doesn't it?

Zonda. That picture surely must be saleable. (You might earn enough to be able to buy a better camera so you get it right next time)

Jack

[Zonda]

Thanks Pete and Lee,,,, Lee i'll check the distance, but seems a long way to go for a GH pic. I shall probably go Hamps/ East Dorset. Thank you very much for that offer tho. #

Jack:

Zonda. That picture surely must be saleable.

Nah, i doubt it. Unless its for a tabloid, i think agencies require 25mb images these days, and this one is not quite 1Mb. I went through all the selling pics malarky some years ago with slide film. Unless you place literally thousands of top notch shots with a good agency, it's a none starter,,,,, maybe if i was in my 30's. Think i'll preserve it as a satisfying hobby.

[Zonda]

Out on the Dorset heath this morning, and was lucky enough to get this chap sunning himself, in all his breeding colours.

Also,,, this more soberly attired gent was present.

[Zonda]

An Orange-tip female from Kingcombe yesterday.

[Zonda]

Another GH from Sunday.

[Bill S]

Very nice Zonda, thanks for sharing.

Cheers

Bill

[Zonda]

I think i blew the whites in my excitement.

[Zonda]

An absolutely delightful butterfly spectacle on the lower slopes of Giant's hill, Cerne Abbas this morning. Too 'gobsmacked' to take pics, i lowered the Zonda flab into a suitable depression on the hillside, and just looked. Green Hairstreaks in 'dogfights' with pristine Small Coppers. Holly Blues aggravating everything. Grizzled Skippers, and Dingy Skippers settling all around. With 'fly bys' of male Orange-tips. All this action took place in an area not 30ft long, and not 10ft wide. Of course in the end, and despite the blistering heat, i had to get a few shots.

[ChrisC]

what can i say.... one minute it's your dying wish next minute you are flooding the forum with green hairstreak. not only that but your skipper has a corner missing... shoddy workmanship to say the least. keep them coming, they are a joy to see.

[Zonda]

Wurzel:

Fantastic images Zonda! How do you get the photos larger when you upload them?

Thanks for the praise. I use an intermediate web picture host Picasa (free) where i dump all of my pics. Picasa lets you choose from four different sizes when you upload to a site. I don't use the largest option, as it sometimes forces people to scroll left/right to read the post, which is a PITA. The sizes are thumbnail, small, medium, and large, and i nearly always use medium. I'm having a day of rest today, a haircut, and all. Can't get to Bentley tomorrow, but would love to see the PBFs. I expect the weather will change on Sunday/Monday. How long is the flight period?

[Bill S]

Wurzel:

Fantastic images Zonda! How do you get the photos larger when you upload them?

Thanks for the praise. I use an intermediate web picture host Picasa (free) where i dump all of my pics. Picasa lets you choose from four different sizes when you upload to a site. I don't use the largest option, as it sometimes forces people to scroll left/right to read the post, which is a PITA. The sizes are thumbnail, small, medium, and large, and i nearly always use medium. I'm having a day of rest today, a haircut, and all. Can't get to Bentley tomorrow, but would love to see the PBFs. I expect the weather will change on Sunday/Monday. How long is the flight period?

They are only just out in Bentley and normally last a couple of weeks, if not more.

Bill

[Zonda]

Thanks Bill, and Wurzel. I'll try to give it a go.

[Zonda]

Grizzled Skipper nectaring on Speedwell.

[Zonda]

Made my day, a fresh Marsh Frit. amongst the throng on the lower slopes of Giant's Hill, Cerne Abbas now. Loads of caterpillars still about.

[Zonda]

A fresh Marsh Frit. from last weekend, getting some rays on a Cowslip.

And, a PBF from Bentley Wood last week.

A wider shot of a Cerne Abbas Duke previously posted.