Friday 1 July 2016

The Heath Fritillary

I am very lucky in that I live only a few minutes from a site that hosts one of Britains rarest butterflies, the Heath Fritillary. I have visited here for many years and have enjoyed countless hours watching them and photographing them. As I have continued my journey into the photography side, I have found myself working for shots that I have in my mind. For most of the time, these chances can be quite rare but I decided to hatch a plan to capture a photo of the Heath Fritillary that I have not attempted in the past, for good reason as well. I had made a few visits in the past week where near the car park, there was a coppiced area which hosted a few Heath Fritillary. My plan was to try to photograph a Heath Fritillary roosting during a rain shower, the main idea was trying to capture the rain drops on the wings and antennae. Whilst most people would head for their cars at this point, I hoped I would be able to get some cover and attempt the shots. The forecast suggested Thursday morning would have showers early morning so on Wednesday night, I made a visit to East Blean Woods and found a few individuals roosting. I marked their position, checked the background colour through the camera and for once, hoped that it would indeed rain the next morning. I awoke Thursday morning with the rain falling and after getting ready, drove over to East Blean Woods to find my target. The butterflies were still where I had left them the night before and were indeed quite wet due to the rain. I set up my tripod with the camera on, somehow positioned an umbrella on a nearby bush and settled in for a while capturing a number of pleasing shots. Luckily at this early hour, I didn't see anyone which I was thankful for as I must have looked quite a sight tucked under an umbrella in the middle of a clearing in the woods! Settings used were manual mode, ISO 400, speed set to 250, f8-11 and in camera flash. This was the first time I had tried this and was glad I did, the underwing pattern with rain on looking superb as the flash caught it. With a few shots to work with, I was soon home for breakfast and onwards to work. I really must not take these for granted and hope to return soon for some more action before their flight season is over for anther year.








Heath Fritillary

18 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Manycthanks Bob. Now Iv'e had time to look at them, I'm quite pleased as well.

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  2. Yes, they are stunning. Rain-spangled beauties.

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  3. Your dedication payed off Marc...a superb set of images...[;o)

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    1. Many thanks. Nice when a plan works out.

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  4. I suppose I could have said cautiously in the past, your photography may get even better, if I had I'd have been proved right....WOW Marc, nuff said.

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    1. Many thanks Pete. Nice to put some time into this project.

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  5. These images are a work of Art,love the settings and the water droplets polish it all off.
    Magnificent post.
    John.

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    1. Many thanks John. Pretty pleased with them I think but I can still see areas needed to improve here, ie, background needs to be lighter.

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  6. super shots mate i see what you meant now

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    1. Cheers Chiddy. Something diffetent and worth the soaking.

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  7. Beautiful shots Marc. It really pays getting out there at times when everyone else is not there. The flash certainly shows the droplets off.

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    1. Thanks Bob. Exactly my idea, to get the flash to enhance the rain droplets.

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  8. Absolutely beautiful images, Marc. The rain drops add the artistic touch, but I'm also delighted to see the last dry image. No wonder they named this butterfly after you! BTW, are you the Large Heath or the Small Heath? ;-}

    Best wishes - - - Richard

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    1. Many thanks Richard. Having taught PE for years and running marathons etc, I like to think i'm the 'small' Heath!

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