Smiddy Shaw

  Today began with a vague idea of a snake hunt (armed only with camera of course) in the area of Smiddy Shaw reservoir. Without any experience of finding adders, it was always going to be down to pure luck, and despite much quiet and careful tip-toeing around, I failed to locate any basking reptiles.

  Fortunately, the day was turning out warm and fine, and quite a few invertebratres were in evidence. Time for the macro gear! I'm still getting to grips with the Opteka RL600 macro flash, a bargain-basement twin (as opposed to ring) flash in conjunction with the perennial favourite Sigma 105mm lens.

  The first creature I was able to get close to was a Common Heath moth (Ematurga atomaria).

  This is a typical upland moth associated with heathers. This was the best photo I got of this flighty species. I have to admit that I thought it was a Latticed Heath until I got back and checked the field guide, where I learned that of the two species, only male Commons have 'feathery' antennae, which show quite well in this shot.

  The next species to pose for the camera was the Green Hairstreak butterfly (Callophrys rubi). I must have been walking around with my eyes closed for the past 40-odd years, because this was the first time I'd ever even seen this species, let alone photographed it.

  I was delighted with these very colourful butterflies, and there were a good number of them flying about the heather. I used some fill flash for this shot, as with the Common Heath, and I was worried that it may have added some false colour to the wings, but I think it turned out okay, as I noticed from observing them that the iridescence of the scales is such that they tend to vary in colour depending on which angle you view them from anyway!

  The last insect, other than a couple of rove beetles, that I managed to get any decent shots of was one of my favourites - a Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris). Anyone who managed to stay awake through my recent slide-show at Rainton Meadows may be aware of my enthusiasm for these.

  In the past I've spent ages chasing these fast, flighty, and easily-spooked predatory beetles, usually with little to show for it. They're hunters, as you can tell from the large eyes, so they're very alert and aware and therefore hard to sneak up on. Strong fliers, they usually take wing whenever I get near enough for a photo. 

  I was in luck here though, because this one landed right in front of me and grabbed some hapless creature (an ant?), and was then so pre-occupied with crunching up its prey that I was able to lie down and get some decent face to face photos, which show its terrifying jaws in action

  This made the day for me. I've got my best-so-far photos of Tiger Beetles, seen a new species, and the Opteka has worked out very nicely (possibly even out-performing my old Nissin flash with directional diffuser made from cardboard, kitchen foil and plastic milk bottles!).

Since I mentioned the Rainton Meadows photo group earlier, I'll close this entry by saying thanks to all who attended and stifled yawns earlier this month, and especially to Ian H, for his hospitality, and for kindly providing all the technology on the night.

  It was a sad evening with the news about Gerry. As a relative newcomer to the group, I didn't get to know him very well, but from the outset he was one of the more friendly and approachable members (and in a friendly and approachable group throughout, that's something). His enthusiasm, skill, and experience will be missed.

Ian B