They sound like the sort of the things you're more likely to see if you have drunk all the beer....

Steve

It doesn't look like it with that shot. Well done!

You asked for C&C so a couple of little things . The background in the bottom left corner is darker than the rest and a bit distracting to me. It also emphasises a slight halo round the antenna which is presumably an artefact of the stacking. I'm not sure how to eliminate a halo other than by touching up the final picture (I wish I did!), perhaps someone who is higher up the learning curve then both of us can advise? There's also a bright sausage in the wasp's right eye, presumably a reflection. Pity it doesn't match the more subtle highlight in the other eye. But they are really picky comments on a good picture.

Keep at it, keep having fun .

Steve

Thanks. The reference to 'doing art' was because that's the last thing on my mind when setting out to photograph wildlife. My friend asked for some shots of groups of butterflies in the long grass, it was only when trying to frame things in the viewfinder that it dawned on me that there was potential for more than just a portrait of a butterfly. Note to self: must think of 'doing art' with wildlife more often!

Steve

How many non-essential shopping days to Christmas?

Thanks, folks. Interesting that no. 4 stands out, that was my attempt to do 'art' rather than 'butterfly'. No. 4, as well as No. 1 and a couple not posted here, is going on the website of the local branch of Butterfly Conservation, the choice of my butterfly-hunting friend who is a committee member.

Steve

Same flour, same yeast, same recipe, same bread-making machine, same Mrs Lubbyman in charge of the machine. Usually the result is a good loaf of breaf. Sometimes, though, it's Dwarf Bread (see Pratchett, T., the Discworld novels). No reason that we've discovered. There are things in this world that are destined to remain a mystery.

Steve

Went butterfly hunting with a friend a few days ago. A colony of silver studded blues was flying at a local wildlife reserve. They gather to roost in grass tussocks in late afternoon. Hundreds of the tiny things. Hard to get good shots because (a) they're very small; (b) they do a lot of fluttering around; (c) they land on long grass which waves around in the slightest breeze; (d) they have a knack of landing on a blade of grass that's obscured by other vegetation. But some couldn't escape being caught by the camera and lens (K3 + Irix 150mm).

Here are a few of the results. The wing upper surface is blue for a male, brown for a female. The 'silver studs' are the shiny bluish marks in the outer row of spots visible in the first picture.

Thoughts, comments etc. welcome as usual.

1.



2.



3.



4.



5.



Steve

Since half of the Netherlands is below sea level and water flows downhill, why doesn't the below sea-level bit become a huge pond when it rains? :

Steve

As above. Particularly like the candelabra primulas.

Often in the area visiting grandchildren at this time of year, but no chance at the moment. Harlow Carr was where where grandad introduced them to wheelies in a pushchair... The candelabra primulas were glorious that year, too.

Steve

It's raining, and the forecast says it won't stop for 24 hrs. Looks like lawn mowing will soon be back on the agenda...

Steve