Butterflies at Pignal

After reading up on some locations in my Insects of the New Forest book, I headed of to a new to me venue in the New Forest – Pignal Inclosure, hoping to find some Butterflies out, and in particular some Silver-washed Fritillarys. I was not to be disappointed, as there were several about and all fresh and new.  In fact it was one of my best butterfly days to date this year.

Firstly I’d like to show a couple of fun shots from the visit, this first one I like the look of almost shock from a Fritillary as a smaller butterfly flies past as I click the shutter.

What The!
Canon EOS 50D (100mm, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO400)
What The!
What The!  Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5.6 1/1000. Natural Light.

And secondly a lucky press of the shutter button got this one mid take off.

Take Off!
Canon EOS 50D (100mm, f/7.1, 1/80 sec, ISO400)
Take Off!
Take Off!. Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F7.1 1/80. Natural Light.

This next one was one of the first shots I got of the Silver-washed Fritillaries, taken atop of a tall hedge, I like the way the light comes through the wings.  The only disappointing thing being that they are facing away – still you can’t have everything in one day.

Pair of Silver-Washed Fritillarys
Canon EOS 50D (100mm, f/8, 1/400 sec, ISO400)
Pair of Silver-Washed Fritillarys
Pair of Silver-Washed Fritillarys. Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F8 1/400. Natural Light.

A more formal portrait of the Fritillary, follows as it nectars on some bramble.  I gave it a slight crop in photoshop to improve the composition of the image – something I like to get right in camera.  Most of the shots I post on this site have no cropping at all.

Silver-washed Fritillary on brambles (slight crop).
Canon EOS 50D (100mm, f/8, 1/320 sec, ISO400)
Silver-washed Fritillary on brambles (slight crop).
Silver-washed Fritillary on brambles (slight crop).. Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F8 1/320. Natural Light.

The Fritillaries were not the only ones out and on the brambles, this skipper was enjoying them too.

Skipper on Bramble.
Canon EOS 50D (100mm, f/5, 1/500 sec, ISO400)
Skipper on Bramble.
Skipper on Bramble. Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5 1/500. Natural Light.

As was this Ringlet…

Ringlet on Bramble.
Canon EOS 50D (100mm, f/5, 1/125 sec, ISO400)
Ringlet on Bramble.
Ringlet on Bramble. Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5 1/120. Natural Light.

In the more open Inclosure part I found a Marbled White resting on a grass stem.

Roosting Marbled White
Canon EOS 50D (100mm, f/4, 1/640 sec, ISO400)
Roosting Marbled White
Roosting Marbled White.  Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F4 1/640. Natural Light with Tripod.

And further round this Marbled White was at rest with it’s wings nicely displayed.

Basking Marbled White
Canon EOS 50D (100mm, f/11, 1/50 sec, ISO400)
Basking Marbled White
Basking Marbled White.  Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F11 1/50. Natural Light with Tripod.

Map of Location

Pignal Inclosure , New Forest.

Chris

I've been taking macro photography from 2004. I use both Canon film and digital cameras.

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