BroadCroft Quarry
Broadcroft Quarry on the Isle of Portland is a Butterfly Conservation Reserve, and in August I have found in the past is a great place to photograph Chalkhill Blue butterflies. Taking an afternoon trip on the 16th August – earlier than I normally go, was again a success in finding this attractive blue butterfly. There were less of them than on previous years trips – either this was because I visited earlier – or as I more likely suspect – they were earlier this year, as the vegetation was also more advanced ( more gone to seed than normal).
This location is on a cliff top, and this means it can be fairly windy – and this visit was no exception. Normally I bring a tripod here to help combat the wind blowing the subjects about in the viewfinder when framing the shot. At least the camera is steady! However – this year I did not, as currently I find it difficult to carry due, so I had to hunt the butterflies down that were in more sheltered locations.
I believe all the butterflies shown here are Chalkhills, but one I have left as a blue – as I am uncertain about it.
Chalkhill Blue posing on flower. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm USM F2.8 Macro Lens. ISO 400 F5.6 1/640 in Natural Light.
Chalkhill Blue in Profile. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm USM F2.8 Macro Lens. ISO 400 F5.6 1/640 in Natural Light.
Chalkhill Blue on Grass stem. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm USM F2.8 Macro Lens. ISO 400 F5.6 1/500 in Natural Light.
This next one is the one I am unsure of being a Chalkhill or possible a Common ?
Blue Butterfly on grass stem. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm USM F2.8 Macro Lens. ISO 400 F4.5 1/1250 in Natural Light.
This next image – is definitely not a Chalkhill Blue Butterfly!
Bee nectaring. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm USM F2.8 Macro Lens. ISO 400 F5.6 1/640 in Natural Light. Slightly Cropped.
And lastly this is a F11 shot of a chalkhill blue, with a falsified background blur – achieved using Photoshop 2014 (CC) field blur filter.
Chalkhill Blue taken at F11 with Photoshop 2014 Blur Filter Applied. Taken on Canon 650D with Canon 100mm USM F2.8 Macro Lens. ISO 400 F11 1/160 in Natural Light.
Map of Location
Butterfly Conservation Reserve.
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