Black Hairstreak DSC_0988
Black Hairstreak / satyrium pruni. Glapthorn Cow Pasture, Northamptonshire. 14/06/17.
I experienced the bitter-sweet joy of finding a basking Black Hairstreak when I visited Glapthorn recently. All my photographic aspirations that day were dashed by a mere tilt of the wings.
At rest BHs actually stay still long enough for a few images to be made. Having gorged itself on nectar, this one suddenly flew a short distance and landed. The leaf it chose was in an uncluttered, accessible, low position - even better!
Quickly I composed the image in my viewfinder with its closed wings held vertically and all of its body in focus - too good to be true!!
Well clearly, it was too good to be true as the resulting image proves. Just as I was about to fire the shutter, the butterfly decided to list to one side ever so slightly, (as they do). Without moving a single leg and holding head perfectly still, it tilted its wings enough to throw them out of focus. Bother!!!
Black Hairstreak DSC_0988
Black Hairstreak / satyrium pruni. Glapthorn Cow Pasture, Northamptonshire. 14/06/17.
I experienced the bitter-sweet joy of finding a basking Black Hairstreak when I visited Glapthorn recently. All my photographic aspirations that day were dashed by a mere tilt of the wings.
At rest BHs actually stay still long enough for a few images to be made. Having gorged itself on nectar, this one suddenly flew a short distance and landed. The leaf it chose was in an uncluttered, accessible, low position - even better!
Quickly I composed the image in my viewfinder with its closed wings held vertically and all of its body in focus - too good to be true!!
Well clearly, it was too good to be true as the resulting image proves. Just as I was about to fire the shutter, the butterfly decided to list to one side ever so slightly, (as they do). Without moving a single leg and holding head perfectly still, it tilted its wings enough to throw them out of focus. Bother!!!