Following on from yesterday's colourful moths, today's selection is of a couple of equally abundant species: the common red soldier beetle, and the meadow brown and marbled white butterflies. I'll start with the beetles, which are very distinctive, very red, and often seen mating at this time of year. 
Red Soldier beetles mating
They often walk upside down as well
And they can fly
A meadow brown butterfly and red soldier beetles
Marbled whites have beautiful black and white markings. They are somewhat flighty and don't always cooperate with the camera. I was in luck today (there were so many of them that occasionally one would settle in range of the camera).
Marbled white butterfly
This next shot looks a bit odd. Click on it for the full size image. It's an attempt at a 3D stereoscopic image. You need to make your self go cross-eyed, and what should happen is that the two images merge into a third (in the centre) which should have 3D properties. That's the theory. If you have trouble getting it to come into focus hold a pin a few inches in front of your face and focus on that. The image should appear. Or not!
Finally, a video from last night of all the garden visitors. We had a lot!
Camera note: all shots taken with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro apart from the meadow brown butterfly which was taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.
CedarFox
29 Jun 2009Great pictures!
Interesting 3-D effect too. My eyes will only hold for just a few seconds, but I can see it, sort of.
gdare
29 Jun 2009How many visitors…. :faint: It is a busy night in your garden. And mouse is hilarious 😆
Words
29 Jun 2009Darko, that was a good night. Usually only some of them show up.
Words
29 Jun 2009Eric, it takes practice. I'll try to do some which are a bit more distinct.
Flying Red Fox Blog
29 Jun 2009Interesting photos and lovelly video 😀 I have done part 1 of my holiday now yay!
Words
29 Jun 2009Mark, thanks! I'll go take a look at your holiday entry. 😀
Ukwildlife
30 Jun 2009nice photos. The odd one marbled white at work when I left on Wednesday ahs turned into a flurry now, which is rather nice 🙂
I can only just do the 3d image – how did you take/create it?
The red soldier beetle is the common name for the species I only came across in BBC Wildlife magazine this week – Ive never heard it before. Ive only seen a scientific name in print before, which I always thought was odd for such a common, distinct species!
SittingFox
30 Jun 2009That marbled white is beautiful. Like a flying chess board! And nice combo of the beetles and the meadow brown :up:
Words
1 Jul 2009Adele, the marbled whites are so elegant. It was a treat to have one settle long enough to get the macro lens out.
Words
1 Jul 2009Neil, the marbled whites were everywhere, taking over from where the painted ladies were a few weeks back. The 3D shot only just works. The basic technique is to take two shots, slightly off-set and then place them side by side. Ideally you need a tripod and rail so that you can keep everything lined up (which should also make them easier to 'see'). The soldier beetles are also known in trade as 'bonking beetles' for fairly obvious reasons.
Ukwildlife
2 Jul 2009Ah yes I had heard the 2nd common name used before – cant use it with the kids though!