Large Blue and Bob Eade on Countryfile

I was fascinated by the Large Blue article on Countryfile tonight - great to see them doing so well in the Cotswolds. Did anyone else notice they showcased one of Bob Eade's photos?! A great shot of two Fritillaries (Heath?) I believe.

Mill Hill

With the aim to test out my new Sigma 105mm EX DG macro lens, I took a brief afternoon stroll around Mill Hill today. Although there were surprisingly few butteflies on wing, I was pleased to see my first Gatekeepers of the year (4). Other species seen included: Meadow Brown (6), Marbled White (4), Red Admiral (2), Small Heath (5), and a few unidentified White Species (3).I also saw some Cinnabar moth caterpillars, a Red-tailed Bumble Bee and lots of Common Soldier Beetles.

See below for some test shots; quite pleased with the detail captured, even if the butterflies were proving difficult to photograph.

Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus