I am still trying to identify two moths from Saturday night's mothing session - one is a carpet and the other either a large micro or a small macro and a definite LBJ of the moth world i.e. hard to identify! I trapped another two Shuttle-shaped Darts and a Waved Umber - see record shot below. Its a beautiful looking moth and I was hoping to get it to pose on some silver birch bark while I took a photo to show off the brilliant camouflage. As usual, it flew off almost immediately I opened the box so I was fortunate to get a photo at all!!!
Waved Umber
I spent half an hour or so at lunchtime trying to get some photos of the common/smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) in the garden pond. Using the standard 14-42 mm lens was a waste of time so I tried the 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens with varying degrees of success. Some photos were taken with the camera handheld and some with me, camera and tripod leaning precariously over the water. The photos aren't brilliant as the water is not that clear and the sunlight on the water was making things even more difficult but the newts regularly come up to gulp air or take an insect and I was also able to watch the interaction between males and females (the males have their crests now) in the shallower water at the edge of the pond. There were at least six individual newts to be seen.
8 comments:
Well done with the Waved Umber, Caroline. That`s one species that still eludes me.
Thanks Dean. Lovely moth - I've just had one sighting before (towards the end of May last year). According to the Townsend and Waring moth "bible" they are more common in the south of England and London area so perhaps they are moving northwards. Hope you get to see one soon.
photography through water is flipping difficult!
Virtually impossible for me plus I think you need the patience of a saint! Trying to manouevre the tripod and get the lens to focus was a hoot!
Have you tried the wildlife filming trip of making something that resembles a light shade to do photography underwater? A similar contraption is used by aquatic watchers. The wider part of the shade is placed just onto the water surface, this cuts out the glare. Mind you, the newts may not oblige, but maybe if it was left there on a stand, that may work. It is v difficult photographing through water.
Thank you so much for that tip Andrew - that's a really good idea. If my husband has time I will ask him to rig something up. As you say it would be best left in position probably where the newts lurk most often. To be honest, the murkiness of the water and my lack of photographic skills may mean getting a good photo would be difficult :D.
like the photos of the newt an amphibian that we don't have in Oz. Enjoying your blog and thank you for your thoughts on the reunion,we were very pleased to see them this morning.
Thanks Ian - glad you liked the photos - we are really pleased to have spotted so many in the pond this year as we have only had the occasional sighting before. They are fascinating to watch.
I enjoy your blog too - its fascinating to read about the different creatures you have in Australia and some that seem similar to those here. Must admit I would love to be able to see wallabies in my back garden!
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