It's a while since have updated my website, as work and family commitments have taken priority.  And it seems quite a whilst since I actually used my camera in anger.  But a quick flick through my backlog of raw images reveals a range of photos, both wildlife and landscape. From coastal sunsets at new locations in Cornwall, to storm clad hills in the Lakes. From images of Red Kite taken just ten minutes walk from my front door, and fungi in local woodland, to a spring time trip to meet Mickey and Minnie in Florida which, despite being a family theme park holiday, produced photos of over 30 species of bird. But more of those to come.

The sun seems to have come out for the first time in ages this week, with a real warmth that, for a few days at least, suggests that we might actually get a summer. With this in mind, my first set of images takes us back to July of last year and a glorious summer morning at Barnack Hills & Holes. 

One of the specialities of this nature reserve is the Marbled White Butterfly. A visit the previous year had been too late, but on this occasion I was in luck. The Marbled Whites were there in large numbers, allowing me the first opportunity to use my new Canon 100mm IS macro lens.

I arrived quite early, finding a butterfly sunning itself in the dappled early morning light. 

 Marbled White

Marbled White

As the sun rose the butterflies became more active. Using my new image stabilised lens hands free allowed me great freedom to move round and get a set of different images.

Marbled White

Marbled White

Marbled White

Marbled White

Marbled White

Marbled White

Marbled White

Marbled White

For more images of Marbled Whites please go to the Butterflies gallery here