sadly a rare sight

I remember when younger summer days were full of flying insects, some unwelcome like ants and midges, but some beautiful like moths and the subject of today's bonus photo post - butterflies.

You just don't seem to see as many these days as their natural habitat is replaced by development after development.  We've planted our garden in a deliberate attempt to attract more of them, but this image was taken in the fields opposite my home which the farmer has allowed to grow wild thankfully.

In case you're wondering, it's a six-spot burnet butterfly and I spotted it on a lovely wild flower.

Now, normally they would fly away the instant I get my camera out.  But my new-found friend decided to hang around and actually pose for me to get this lovely shot.

Nikon D700, Micro Nikon 105mm f2.8G
1/640th of a second at f4, ISO 200
handheld, breath held, fingers crossed

Ever wonder how I light some of my macro images?  No.  OK, well here's the video anyway:

And you can view my macro portfolio here: