Portland Butterflies

Took a visit on Sunday to Broadcroft Quarry – with a view to attempting to take some Chalkhill blues.  This time last year they were out there in abundance, so was hopeful of a good showing.  There were plenty about but it was also extremely windy, making capturing them a challenge!

I went out with both my 50D and my 20D Colour infrared converted cameras, tripod and 100mm Canon F2.8 Macro Lens.  Again wearing my new “photo vest” – an army surplus item that I must shoot to show you.

I first found a Chalkhill blue swaying rapidly in the wind, but willing to sit still.  Taking around 100 images of the butterfly – managing about 8 or so that are reasonable on the 50D.  I also took a few on the 20D infrared.  The best 3 (1 infrared) of this one follow.

Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon) on plant.  Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5.6 1/1000 Natural Light

Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon) on plant (more close up).  Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F5.6 1/1000 Natural Light

Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon) on plant in infrared.  Taken on Canon Enchanced Colour Infrared convered 20D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 200 F8 1/160 Natural Light. Tinted in Photoshop.

I also found another one posing on a flower which I took this shot on the infrared with.

Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon) on flower in infrared.  Taken on Canon Enchanced Colour Infrared convered 20D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 200 F4 (-1.3  ex comp) 1/1000 Natural Light. Tinted in Photoshop.

I then came across a pair mating – unfortunately in a not to good position on the ground to photograph – but managed this behavioral shot of them.

Mating Chalkhill Blues (Lysandra coridon).   Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 400 F11 1/100 Natural Light

Towards the end of the trip I spotted a female Marbled White butterfly resting on a flower near the clifftop.  I liked the way the sea in the background could give the impression of blue skies.  So there’s two shots of it with this in it, one natural, the other in infrared.  Finally I took a close up shot of it in detail.  All of the Marbled White I was able to take on a tripod to counter the wind effect as much possible and increase the sharpness of the shot.

 

Female Marbled White – Melanargia galathea.  Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 100 F5.6 1/500 Natural Light. Tripod.

Marbled White on flower in infrared.  Taken on Canon Enchanced Colour Infrared convered 20D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 200 F4 (-1.6  ex comp) 1/3200 Natural Light.  Channels Swapped in Photoshop

Female Marbled White – Melanargia galathea.  Taken on Canon 50D with Canon 100mm F2.8 USM Macro Lens.  ISO 100 F3.2 1/250 Natural Light. Tripod.

Map of Location.

Butterfly Conservation Reserve.