The tools to hand

Neither of these two photos are true macros, so I hope you'll forgive my photographer's licence as they are traditionally macro style subjects.

The first is a purple hairstreak which lives halfway up oak trees, so you can't exactly get a 1:1 lens up there without a David Attenborough style cable and harness, hence the use of a Sigma 400mm f5.6 telemacro and a bit of cropping. Despite the cropping, it still made a decent A4 print.

The second is the first that I've seen this summer of a gatekeeper, a local favourite of mine. I had a 70-210 f4 zoom which was sufficient to get close enough to get decent detail. Again, this is a crop. I often attach a Canon 500D c/u lens to this paticular zoom but I had little enough time to grab this and a few other shots before it flew off.

C&C appreciated.

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Excellent shots, esp. given the distance. Bravo!

Thanks Bill.

Hi Mike

You have done a superb job getting those pics, they are great shots, both of them

Skill on your behalf getting such great pics with lenses other than macro's - great stuff.

Linda

nice shots .

I think they are both very good shots. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent shots, well done getting a shot of the hairstreak esp
glad to see the gatekeepers have started to show will go and have a look this week
Pete

Thanks all; it's appreciated.

lovely shots, second one is my fav, all tho its a little over exposed!