The last month or so
10th September 2013
I’m very conscious of not writing anything since the 21st July and it isn’t due to not getting out anywhere, just idleness: so here goes.
27 July – at the Eyes.
Looking back at the photos that I took on the day, they were mainly insects and butterflies, however there were two birds that I managed to photograph, a Moorhen and a Lapwing and neither were worth showing.
The highlight of the visit however was getting a few pics of a White-letter Hairstreak butterfly; certainly a first for Woolston Eyes.
White-letter Hairstreak
Lots of insects around as well, Ladybirds including Harlequins, Hoverflys and different Bees.
Hoverfly (Epistrophe melanostoma)
Seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata
03 August – Stratford-upon-Avon
Butterfly Farm
According to their website it is the largest tropical butterfly display in the UK with 250 species of butterfly from 20 different countries. There are in the region of 1500 free flying butterflies at any one time.
Unknown Butterfly - watch out for butterflies with damaged wings, you still find them even in a butterfly farm
Unknown Butterfly
Swallowtail Chryallis
In the flight area there is also an Iguana and some birds, Cockatiels and Chinese Painted Quails.
Iguana
I spotted the Quails running around in the vegetation but unfortunately didn’t get a photo of them.
There are also displays of Arachnids and other insects.
Well worth a visit if your in the area.
We also went to Ann Hathaways cottage which was interesting and there were a few opportunities to take some photos in the garden.
Ann Hathaways Cottage - an example of a frame within a frame
Sweetpea
A visit to Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon was interesting and I did take a photo of the organist just to try the camera at a fairly high ISO of 4000, hand held.
Organist – 1/60th sec f5.6
This organist was extremely good and the music being played was excellent.
I was also pleased with the quality of the photo!
I don’t know anything about cars but when we arrived back at the hotel this car was on the car park and I couldn’t resist taking a photo or two.
Car1
Car2
While we were in Warwickshire we also visited Coughton Court a National Trust property. The gardens and the house itself were very nice and there was an excellent display of sculptures in the gardens.
The stairs
Water sculpture
Shield
18th August – Woolston Eyes
Again no rain and very little water in the pools at Woolston, so another morning of macro photography and insects.
Snail
Hoverfly
Ladybird
Flies
23rd August – Woolston Eyes
Pretty much the same as the previous week although there were some birds around even though the water was still extremely low.
Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta)
Green Sandpiper
Shelduck
27 July – at the Eyes.
Looking back at the photos that I took on the day, they were mainly insects and butterflies, however there were two birds that I managed to photograph, a Moorhen and a Lapwing and neither were worth showing.
The highlight of the visit however was getting a few pics of a White-letter Hairstreak butterfly; certainly a first for Woolston Eyes.
White-letter Hairstreak
Lots of insects around as well, Ladybirds including Harlequins, Hoverflys and different Bees.
Hoverfly (Epistrophe melanostoma)
Seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata
03 August – Stratford-upon-Avon
Butterfly Farm
According to their website it is the largest tropical butterfly display in the UK with 250 species of butterfly from 20 different countries. There are in the region of 1500 free flying butterflies at any one time.
Unknown Butterfly - watch out for butterflies with damaged wings, you still find them even in a butterfly farm
Unknown Butterfly
Swallowtail Chryallis
In the flight area there is also an Iguana and some birds, Cockatiels and Chinese Painted Quails.
Iguana
I spotted the Quails running around in the vegetation but unfortunately didn’t get a photo of them.
There are also displays of Arachnids and other insects.
Well worth a visit if your in the area.
We also went to Ann Hathaways cottage which was interesting and there were a few opportunities to take some photos in the garden.
Ann Hathaways Cottage - an example of a frame within a frame
Sweetpea
A visit to Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon was interesting and I did take a photo of the organist just to try the camera at a fairly high ISO of 4000, hand held.
Organist – 1/60th sec f5.6
This organist was extremely good and the music being played was excellent.
I was also pleased with the quality of the photo!
I don’t know anything about cars but when we arrived back at the hotel this car was on the car park and I couldn’t resist taking a photo or two.
Car1
Car2
While we were in Warwickshire we also visited Coughton Court a National Trust property. The gardens and the house itself were very nice and there was an excellent display of sculptures in the gardens.
The stairs
Water sculpture
Shield
18th August – Woolston Eyes
Again no rain and very little water in the pools at Woolston, so another morning of macro photography and insects.
Snail
Hoverfly
Ladybird
Flies
23rd August – Woolston Eyes
Pretty much the same as the previous week although there were some birds around even though the water was still extremely low.
Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta)
Green Sandpiper
Shelduck