After the recent dismal weather, today turned out to be bright, moderately warm and just a touch windy. The butterflies were back in the garden, most noticeably a pair of painted ladies. Their colour has deepened slightly from the early season visitors, but their willingness to be photographed is undiminished.
The butterflies were doing their best to shelter from the wind, and in the relative security of the garden they didn't have to contend with the worst of it. Not so, the coastal birds.
It was somewhat less windswept a few hundred yards inland, where we came across a family of moorhens on a village pond.
Moorhen feeding its young
The day ended back on the downs, trying in vain to find some shelter from the winds. The kestrels were about, hunting over the long grass with a fair degree of success. Usually they carry prey in their talons, so it was a surprise to see this.
Camera note: the butterflies were photographed with the Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG macro lens. The rest were taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM.
8 Comments
This butterfly was posing for you 😀 It is nice to have a good weather again, wind or no wind. It is summer after all 😀
love the butterfly and the water photos… 🙂
That second butterfly shot is simply marvellous! :yes:
The wave is impressive for other reasons :eyes: and that kestrel must be a bit top-heavy carrying prey in its beak!
Darko, yes summer has returned (nearly). It's been much warmer again, and the butterflies are everywhere 🙂
Thanks Jill!
Adele, thanks. The painted lady was perched nicely on the wall so for once I could keep the camera nice and steady and take a series of shots. It was odd seeing the kestrel carrying its prey like that. Very unusual.
excellent butterfly macros and great kestrel shots 🙂
Thanks Neil!