Much found of the Marsh

I walked around Cerne Hill the other day, which is located at the Northern edge of Cerne Abbas Village Dorset. The temperature was approximately 33c.  My objective was to find the Marsh Fritillary Butterfly. Last year I didn't see any in the area. As it was the second half of the month, it would be the best time to find some. Fortunately I found plenty. Hopefully this will be the forerunner of good years to come for this species and the Duke of Burgundy.

Grizzled Skipper

Common Blue

Having already found plenty of Duke of Burgundy the other day, there were still a few observed.

Small Heath

 

Airborne Brimstone

The Brimstone Butterfly has been on the wing for a month or so now. The males with their more lemon/ yellow bolder colour appears first, followed by a more washed out pale green coloured female.

It is always interesting to try and shoot them in the air when their pre-courtship period commences.

1/3200 at f2.8 usually freezes them in the air.

The Geranium (Dove's-Foot Crane's Bill) is a delightful little flower that can found anywhere.

Dog Rose

The Robin in the shade made a suitable habitat image.

Walking around Radipole Reserve I expected to see a few more birds than I did.

Little Egret

Black-headed Gull

The very small Holly Blue butterfly was fiinding minerals on this stone path way.

 

Local Walk

Scenes from a recent local walk.

The image above is showing the yellow flowers of the Field Mustard Plant.

This is used to improve the soil structure ans suppress weeds. It is a way of helping the soil to recover for the season in order that it can produce good results the next planting time.

This Great Tit below was appearing in and out of the hedgerow for most of the time I watched it. It was calling to a partner in the hedge possibly sitting on the nest.

 A distant Little Egret was fishing in the river, which had reduced a lot from about a month ago when it was in full flood.

A common scene are these Red Campions that line roads, paths and hedgerows at this time.

A Speckled Wood Butterfly was settled on this Japanese Spindle Tree which forms a long hedgerow. 

A favourite spot for this species and the Holly Blue Butterfly.

I think this feather below is probably from the wing of a Common Buzzard.

Woodies Incoming.

1/3200 at f2.8. -150mm - ISO 500 - 0.3 ev

I was using one of my favourite lens on these shots. 

An Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 attached to an OM1 Mk 2. 

That is in 35mm terms an 80-300mm equivalent lens

The attractive red flowers of the Horse Chestnut Tree.

The Barley crop is showing well already

A lonely Common Bluebell is hanging on amongst the undergrowth.