The Gatekeeper

This butterfly, the 'Hedge Brown', is also known as the 'Gatekeeper' - a name that I definitely prefer as it conjures up all manner of magical images. It's so called because it's often found at the edges of meadows and pathways, places where you often find gates. Apparently they show a preference for yellow flowers. So if you want to attract them to your garden, maybe planting plenty of yellow flowering plants is the way to go - lots of ragwort and other native flowers. Mind you, I obviously spotted this one feeding on a blue flowering Sea Holly so yellow isn't essential.
This particular butterfly is a female and, as they are one of our more common butterflies, I'm hoping to snap a male this summer so that I can see the comparison for myself!

Pyronia tithonus (f)

Until next time
Claude
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And so it begins...with hoverflies.

Welcome!

Almost exactly a year ago I picked up my camera. In no time at all I found that I was most comfortable photographing wildlife. These were some of the first pictures I snapped whilst out in our SE London garden last spring and summer (2010). Being a cat, I had no concept of aperture or shutter speed. Therefore almost all of these pictures were taken using the 'point, click, and hope for the best' technique.

Episyrphus balteatus (m)

Episyrphus balteatus (m)

Episyrphus balteatus (m)

Myothropa florea (f)

Epistrophe melanostoma (m)

Episyrphus balteatus (f)

Episyrphus balteatus (m)

Eupeodes luniger (f)

Eupeodes latifasciatus (m)

I think I may have some other pictures of hoverflies elsewhere. I shall ask Frank to search the hard drive for me but, in the meantime, I hope that you've enjoyed these ones.

Claude
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