Posts tagged with: grizzled skipper

Is it ethically acceptable to kill and preserve insects?

I know of many photographers who have no qualms about killing and freezing insects in order to gain more control over macro shots. While I admire their skill as photographers, I question their methods and not collect insects purely for... Read More

My Favourite 5 Wildlife Photos of 2022

Here are my favourite 5 images of 2022. I started doing this last year and settled on 5 photos, so now that will be my standard number of images I pick out each year. With so many glorious images to... Read More

Almost macro with M.Zuiko MC-14 teleconverter

This article discusses using the Olympus 1.4 teleconverter for almost macro like magnification. I will consider some of the practical considerations that come into play when photographing butterflies, pointing out the strengths and limitations of using a teleconverter.  I love... Read More

The ‘Not So Dingy’ Skipper

THE DINGY SKIPPER may not have the rainbow, brilliant iridescence of a Peacocks’ blazing wings.  It may not ignite one’s curiosity as much as the nomadic wanderings of the Orange Tip, as it flutters past streams and meadows. Nor possess a... Read More

Paradise Regained 

“The childhood shows the man, As morning shows the day.” – John Milton, Paradise Regained Anyone who follows my posts will know of my obsession with the Grizzled Skipper. Come May, I visit their stronghold at Merthyr Mawr and have... Read More

5 Highlights from 2021

As 2021 comes to a close, I’m left wondering what were the best macro/wildlife photography highlights. I’ve narrowed these down to 5 memorable moments. 5. Mating Horseflies It’s fair to say that Horseflies are my worse nightmare. Out in the... Read More

Big Butterfly Count 2021

The results of Butterfly Conservation’s Big Butterfly Count are out!  These results are based on the number of butterflies and day-flying moths spotted during 16th July – 8th August. Unfortunately this period doesn’t take into account Spring flying butterflies. If... Read More

The Grizzled Skippers of Merthyr Mawr (Part III)

I can’t believe that a year has passed since my last post!  Last June – for the first time since I started this website (Oct 1, 2016) – I not only stopped posting but also had to stop visiting nature... Read More

Return to Merthyr Mawr

The results of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme showed worrying declines for many species, including the Grizzled Skipper, which had its worst ever year (down 54% since 1976). It was therefore with some sense of apprehension that I set out... Read More

Grizzled Skippers at Merthyr Mawr

On the 26th May, I set out on my motorbike, with rucksack full of camera gear precariously balanced on my back, to Merthyr Mawr. My journey, or rather quest, was to search for the Grizzled Skipper. Grizzled Skippers are tiny... Read More