ISSN P u Ro Re g Tu a e RPS N f Th e o zin o. 118 / Spring 2014 a g a M Issue N IrIseTh

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1 ISSN The MagazINe of The RPS NaTuRe group IrIsIssue No. 118 / Spring 2014

2 Yellowstone in Winter Join us next February in the splendour of Yellowstone National Park next winter. For more information David at: or go to to view images from other tours. Others Tours scheduled for 2015 include: March Florida Birds September Canadian Rockies and November Falkland Islands

3 Contents Publication information TheIris ispublishedbythenaturegroupoftherps threetimesayear.copyandpublicationdatesareas follows: Spring Copydeadline20thDecember PublishedearlyMarch. Summer Copydeadline30thApril PublishedearlyJuly. Winter Copydeadline31stAugust PublishedearlyNovember. AllcontributionsshouldbesubmittedtotheEditor. Itemscoveringanyaspectofnaturephotographyand/or naturalhistoryarewelcomed,includingreviewson equipmentandrelevantbooks.theeditorcanbe Copyshouldbesentas.txtor.docfilesby oron CD.Pleasedonotsendhandwrittencopy. Digitallycapturedphotographicimagesarepreferred butscannedtransparenciesarealsoacceptable.images (whetherverticalorhorizontal)shouldbesuppliedon CDassRGBTifffiles,6 x4 at300ppi(1800x1200 pixels,filesizeapprox6.17mb).ifyourimageisselected foruseonthecoveroftheirisyouwillberequestedto supplyafilesizewithdimensionsapprox3000x2000 pixels.allcoverimageswillbeinverticalformat Nopaymentwillbemadeformaterialusedandwhilst everycarewillbetaken,neithertheeditor,thenature GrouporthePrinterscanacceptliabilityforanydamage thatmayoccurtophotographicmaterialsubmitted. TheviewsexpressedwithinTheIrisaresolelythoseof thecontributoranddonotnecessarilyreflecttheviews ofthenaturegroupcommitteeortheeditor. Distribution: TheIris isforwardedtomembersusingaddresslabels producedbytherpsmembershipdeptinbath.any membernotreceivingtheircopyshouldcontactthat departmentsothattheirnameappearsonalabelinthe future.howeverthesecretarywillbepleasedtopost singlecopiestomemberswhohavefailedtoreceive them. 2 editorial 3 from the Chair 4 Notice of Nature group Spring Meeting, annual exhibition & annual exhibition Notice of Chairman s Day 6 Cheating Nature? byrichardnichollarps 8 Butterflies of estonia bytrevordavenportarps 12 Kruger National Park - bydavidcantrillefrps 16 La Brenne - a hidden wildlife gem bybriansherwinlrps 19 Chile: Land of Contrasts MargaretJohnsonLRPS 22 Schedule of field Meetings News, Views & Reviews 30 Membership Statistics 31 The Canon 40mm STM Lens bygrahamsaxby Copyright: Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybe reproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,or transmittedinanyformorbyanymeanswithout priorpermissionofthecopyrightholder. Photographsandarticles-individualcontributors.All othermaterialthenaturegroupoftheroyal PhotographicSociety. Printed by StanleyLHunt(Printers)Limited MidlandRoad,Rushden. Design & layout bydawnosbornfrps The Iris - Spring

4 Committee officers Chairman: Tony Bond frps Leigh,LancsWN73LJ Secretary: Margaret Johnson LRPS 53MapperleyOrchard,Arnold,Nottingham,NG58AH Treasurer: Margery Maskell arps Bishop'sStortford,HertfordshireCM235DW Vice Chairman: Richard Revels frps Biggleswade,Beds.SG188EE Immediate Past Chairman: John Bebbington frps Langport,Somerset,TA109SETel: Committee Members editor of The Iris: Dawn osborn frps Dereham,Norfolk, exhibition Secretary: Kevin Maskell frps Bishop'sStortford,HertfordshireCM235DW Ng Rep to advisory Panel: David o Neill LRPS Reading,Berkshire,RG16DG david.oneill@wildhorizons.uk.com Programme Co-ordinator: Richard Revels frps Biggleswade,Beds.SG188EE Tel richard.revels@talktalk.net Kevin elsby frps Aylsham,Norfolk, Tel: wildlife@greenbee.net John Jones arps Kegworth,Derby,DE742FW Tel: Peter Jones arps Bilsthorpe,Notts,NG228TB pwjonesarps@btinternet.com Barbara Lawton frps Wolverhampton,WestMidlands,WV95QG barbara.lawton@talktalk.net Sue Mcgarrigle LRPS Worcester. sue@suemcgarrigle.co.uk geoff Trinder arps Belton,Doncaster,DN91PG Tel: ex officio Committee members PresidentoftheSociety; Vice-PresidentoftheSociety; DirectorGeneraloftheSociety; Hon.TreasureroftheSociety; ChairmanoftheNatureA&FDistinctionsPanel Nature group exhibitions CDs/DVDsofNatureGroupExhibitionsareavailablefor purchasebycameraclubs/photographicsocietiesforusein theirprogramme.pleasecontacttheexhibitionsecretary, detailsabove. editorial Isincerelyhopethatbythetimeyoureadthis,the livesofthoseofyouwhohavebeenaffectedby floodingthisyearhaveimprovedsignificantly.the scenesshownontvnewsbulletinshavebeen appallingtosaytheleast.hereinnorfolkourcoastal regionswereaffectedbythehightidesandstrong windswhichcausedatidalsurge.someareasare gettingbacktonormalbutitisslowgoingwiththe continuedbadweather. Ioften bumpinto NatureGroupmembers, sometimesintheleastlikelyplaces-lastsummer,at aneventwherealancasterbomberwasthestarof theshow,ifoundmyselftalkingtoagentlemanwho turnedouttobeanaturegroupmemberandin Januarythisyear,duringavisittotheFalkland Islands,IhadthepleasureofmeetingNeilAnderton, amemberfromaustralia!ihopetobehearingfrom Neilinthenearfuturewithanarticleaboutthe fabulousbirdshephotographsonhis homepatch. Youcannothavefailedtonoticethatthisissuehasa newlook.therpshasundergoneanother transformationofits corporateimage or brand identity.goneistheoppressivebroodingblackthat wehadtoembracesomesixyearsagowithissue No.100.Thenewlookisdescribedasproviding a fresh,uniqueandcontemporarylookandfeel. YoumayhavenoticedthattheRPSwebsitealsohas thissamenewlook.thenaturegroup sownwebsitehasnowbeenclosedfollowingtherpsmandate andallfutureannouncementsforthegroupwillbe madeavailablethere. Thereareseveralannouncementsinthisissue-the SpringMeeting/AGM/AnnualExhibition,Chairman s Day,TheNaturePhotographers JointConference, TheNatureGroupResidentialFieldMeeting,a NaturePhotographyWorkshopandagoodshowing offieldmeetings.pleasesupportthemifyoucan, especiallyiftheyarebeingheldinyourregion. Asalways,Iamrequestinginterestingarticlesfrom membersforfutureissuesoftheiris.shareyour experiencewhetherithasbeenanoverseaswildlife adventureortheachievementofanassociateshipor FellowshipDistinction.Ilookforwardtohearingfrom you. 2 The Iris - Spring 2014

5 from the chair IfyouhaveseenPortfolio3youwillknowthatthe NatureGrouphasagoodshowing.TheGroupitself isrepresentedbyaportfolioofinsectsinflightby ourvicechairman,richardrevels,andinformation onhowtheyweretaken.therearealsoindividual imagesbysomeofourmembers.thisisaquality publicationshowingthevariedinterestswithinthe Societyinbothwordsandpicturesandis recommended. IamwritingthisinmidDecemberjustafterthefirst tasteofwinter.thesnowdropsarejustpoking abovethesurfaceinmygardenandbythetime youreadthistheywillbeinfullbloomorpossiblya littlepasttheirbest.thehumblesnowdropisone ofmyfavouriteflowersandiknowthatiamnot alonebecauseofthepopularityofsnowdropwalks inestatesandgardensthroughoutbritain.afeature oftheautumnhasbeentheproliferationoffruits andberries.atonetimethesewouldhavebeen devouredbynowbutthisyeartheyaredropping offthetrees.itlooksmostunlikelythattherewillbe arepeatoflastwinter swaxwinginvasionwhichwas causedbyalackofberriesineurope.ireadreports ofmigrantbutterfliesinthesouthofenglandbut uphereinthe FrozenNorth wehavehadsuffered anotherpooryearpossiblyduetotheso-called summerof2012.whenisubmittedmyrecordsto therecorderforgreatermanchesterandsaidthat theonlypaintedladyihadseenallyearwasin NorthWalesherepliedthatitwasonemorethan hehadseen. Andnowweknowallabouttheautumnfungiand howtheyturnedout.likemeyoumayhavereadin themediathatitwasaverygoodautumnandthe mycologistsseemquitehappy.howeveriknowthat manyofyouarenot.ihavehadreportsofpoor returnsinalargeswatheofenglandfromcumbria throughthemidlandstonorfolk.theonlyareafrom whichihaveheardgoodreportsisthenewforest. PerhapsGordonDickson sghostlooksafterit.it goestoshowthatthemycologistsandourselves arelookingfordifferentthings.werequire specimensingoodconditioninanattractivesetting whereasallthefungushuntersrequireissomething thattheycanputunderthemicroscope.i completedasecond placementwithnatural EnglandwhichwasarepeatoftheWaxcapsurvey whichidescribedinthespringeditionofthe Iris butrestrictedtothebestsitesfoundinthe2012 survey.onmyseptembervisittothecricketfield theseasonhadonlyjustfinishedandallifound weredecapitatedwaxcaps.theoctobervisitwas betterandbynovembertherewerelotsoffruit bodiesofsevenspeciesbutmostwereinverypoor condition.thismadeidentificationverydifficultbut Iwasfortunatetohavethesupportofsomeone whoknowsthesitemuchbetterthanidoandiam happythatouridentificationwascorrect.the numberswereimpressivebutidoubtwhether sevenspecieswillmeetnaturalengland scriterion forsssidesignation.ifyoucouldselectayearfor doingawaxcapsurveyyouwouldnotchoose2012 or2013!ihaveitongoodauthoritythatthe taxonomistsareturningtheirattentiontothe Waxcaps.TheParrotWaxcap,Hygrocybe psittacina, isfirstinlineforsplittingsoyouhavebeenwarned. Ifyouhavenotyetvolunteeredtoleadafield meetingitisnottoolatetocontactrichardrevels. Fieldmeetingswereoncethecornerstoneofour programmeandiamdelightedthattheyare makingabitofacomeback.ifyouarefamiliarwith aninterestingsitewhynotshareitwithother membersofthegroup?weprideourselvesin beingthefriendlygroupandfieldmeetingshavea socialpurposeaswellastheopportunityto exchangeideasontoolsandtechniques. Lastbutnotleasthereisadateforyourdiaries. Chairman sdaywillbeheldonsunday9thof November2014attheusualvenue,theOld Schoolhouse,Oldbury,WestMidlands.An announcementappearsinthisissuefulldetailsof thedayseventsandhowtoobtainticketswillbe publishedinthenexteditionofthe Iris butmakea noteofthedatenowsothatyoudonotmissit. The Iris - Spring

6 NATUrE GrOUP 38th annual general Meeting, Spring Meeting and annual exhibition opening Saturday 5th april 2014 Smethwick Photographic Society, The old Schoolhouse,oldbury, West Midlands (fordirectionsseebelow) Timetable 10.30hrs - assemble for hrs start 11.00hrs - a presentation by Kevin Maskell frps and Margery Maskell arps 12.00hrs - Break for lunch. Lightluncheswillbeavailableintheclubhouse(ploughman sorjacketpotatoeswith bakedbeans,cheese,chillioracombinationofany).thereisalsoadiningareaifyou wishtobringsandwiches.ifyourequirealunchpleaseletthesecretaryknowatleast tendaysbeforetheagmastheyhavetobeorderedinadvance hrs - 38th annual general Meeting agenda 1. Apologiesforabsence. 2. Minutesofthe37thAGM2013,printedinissue116of TheIris. 3. Mattersarising 4. Chairman sreport 5. Treasurer sreport. 6. Secretary sreport 7. AnyOtherBusiness 8. DateandVenueofthe39thAGM hrs - opening of the 2012 exhibition PresentationoftheAwards followedbyashowingoftheacceptedprojectedimages. AcceptedPrintswillbeondisplayforthedurationoftheday. DIReCTIoNS:- LeavetheM5atJunction2andgetintorighthandlane.Atroundabout(withtrafficlights) approximately200yardsfrommotorwaytakea4034righttowardswestbromwichandimmediately getintolefthandlaneofdualcarriageway.atfirsttrafficlights(approx1/3mile)turnleftintopark Street.AfterahundredorsoyardsturnrightintoChurchbridge(cul-de-sac).TheOldSchoolhouseis thelastbutonebuildingonleft. 4 The Iris - Spring 2014

7 Chairman s Day 2014 Sunday 9th November hrs hrs The old Schoolhouse oldbury, West Midlands (nr Junction 2 of the M5) Speakers: TrevorDavenportARPS - TreasuresoftheSeftonCoast GeoffTrinderARPS - PhotographymyWay Chairman,TonyBondFRPS - Fungi-TheHiddenKingdom TworecentsuccessfulFellowshippanelswillbeondisplay. Hopefullytheauthorswillbeinattendancetoansweranyquestions. FulldetailsintheSummeredition. The Nature group Spring Meeting, agm & annual exhibition, april 5th 2014 by Sue Mcgarrigle LRPS AsapastsecretaryoftheexhibitionIhavehad thepleasureofseeingtheexhibitioncontinueto gofromstrengthtostrength.thespring Meeting,allowsmemberstobrowse,socialise andcommentontheexhibitionprintswhilealso havingtheopportunitytoattendtheagm,voice theircomments,enjoythefirstshowingofthe projecteddigitalexhibits,thepresentationof awardsand,inthemorning,afirstclasslecture. IhavealwaysfoundboththeSpring MeetingandChairman sdaytobevery enjoyableandhavebeenmotivatedand inspired.ihavelearnedmuchalongthewayand thishashelpedmetofurthermyphotography. Theexhibitionlocationiswithinveryeasy reachattheoldschoolhouse,hometo SmethwickPhotographicSocietyinOldburyjust fiveminutesawayfromthemotorwaynetwork, (J2oftheM5)andthereisampleparking. RogerandJudithParry,whoworktirelessly withmanyorganisationsandalongside Smethwickmembers,arethebackboneofthe clubandalwaysensurethenaturegroup receiveaverywarmwelcome,providinga comfortablevenuewithhomecookedfoodfor committeemeetingsandotherevents. Docomealong-Iguaranteethatyouwon t bedisappointed. The Iris - Spring

8 Cheating Nature? an investigation into suspect images in an international exhibition by Richard Nicholl arps Ilookedthroughthewinningimagesinthenature sectionofarecentexhibition scd,whichhadjust droppedthroughthedoor,(althoughthiswas entirelyatrandom)toseewhathadwonawardsand perhapstogainsomeinsightintowhymyimages hadn tdonesowell.withacoupleofyears experienceoftakingnatureimagesandentering themintotheexhibitionsiamalwayswantingto learnfromthebestandwonderathowtheywere achieved.caniaimforsomethinglikethat,howon earthdidtheydoit,wasitluckorjustmassive amountsofpatience,whataretheirsecrets? Someoftheseimagesalwaysseemtostandoutto me.youknowtheonesimean,chicksbeingfedby oneormoreparentsflyinginwithpreytoanisolated nestwithnothingobstructingyourviewonaverydark backgroundallmiraculouslyinsharpfocusandbacklit. ThereisoneimageorIshouldsaytypeofimage,as Icanfindatleast4almostidenticalversionsallby authorswithdifferentnames,doingtheexhibition circuit.itisofafishjumpingoutofthewaterjust abouttocatchadragonfly.letmefocusonone imageofthetwoverysimilaronesacceptedintothis particularexhibition.ifirstnoticedthisimageand oneoftheotherswhentheybothwongoldmedals atthesameexhibition.atfirstglanceallicansayis WOW,ifonlyIcouldhavetakenthat.Ithasaction, ithashunterandhunted,itssharpwhereitneedsto be,ithasnorealdistractions,isitjusttooperfect?i decidedtotakeacloserlookandfoundseveral issuesthatmakemeverysuspicious: 1. Althoughthefish stailarchesawayfromthe viewertheendofitstailentersthewaternearer theviewerthanthelargesplashnearitsmiddle. Theperspectivejustseemswrong. 2. Wherethefishestaildoes enter thewater thereisnorefractionandthetailcontinuesonas ifgoingthroughthesamemedium. 3. Theendofthefish stailreappearsonabright bandatthebottomoftheimageandyetitis supposedlypointingstraightdownintothewater. 4. Iwouldexpecttoseesomesortofreflectionin thewaterofthefish(evenifdistortedbythe turbulenceofthesplash)icannotseeany. 5. Thereareduplicatewaterdropsontheleftand righthandsidesoftheimageandthereisalarge waterdropnearthetopofthesplashinthe middlewhichisduplicatedoverlappingitslower jaw(thereisalsonorefractionofthejawthrough thewaterdrop). Iamleftwonderinghowanyonecouldthinkthiswas notacomposite. Letmemoveontoanotherimagewhichseemsto memoreobviousthatitshouldnotbeallowedina Naturesection.Thisisanimageofagroupof WhooperSwansonpartiallyfrozenwaterinfrontof adramaticlandscape.thepartoftheimagewhere thewatermeetsthemountainscapelooked suspicioustomesoiperformedagooglesearch usingtheauthorsnameandtitle.heypresto,ifound anotherimagewithasimilarnamebyanauthorof thesamenamewiththesamegroupofswansinthe foreground(simplyamirrorimageofthem)anda completelydifferentlandscapeinthebackground! Icheckedthisoutfurtherbyflippingoneimage, resizingitandplacingitovertheotheroneandthey matchalmostperfectly. Thenextimageshowsanimageofaraptorcarrying anotherbirdinitstalons(theraptor sfootis wrappedaroundtheneckofthebird)andhaswon severalawardsincludingtheexhibitioniamlooking through.havingdoneafairbitofsearchingbynowi thoughtihadseensomethingsimilarelsewheresoi didabitmore Googling andfoundanotherimage byanauthorwiththesamename.nowcomparing eachbirdcarryingthepreyitemtheyarealmost identicaldowntotheplacesinthewingswherethe featherssplitandthetonesoflightcomingthrough themseemtometobeidentical.ihavedoubts whethereitherimagemeetsthe rules fornature sections. 6 The Iris - Spring 2014

9 Irememberedseeingotherimageswithaspeciesof bluebirddanglingfromaraptor(althoughthereisno identificationofthespeciesinthetitlewhichis anothersubjectinitself)anddidsomemore Googling.Thesearchrevealedotherimagesbyan authorwiththesamenameandonceagainifound whatappeartobeduplicatesapartfroman amphibianinonebirdsbeakandnotintheother. Thefirstimagehasdefinitelybeenenteredinatleast onenaturesectionbuticouldnotdiscoverwhether thesecondimagehas.attheveryleastthisshows howskilledtheauthorisatdigitalmanipulation. Nowontoanotherimagethatwonanawardinthe exhibitioncdilookedthrough.theimageisoftwo largebirdsofpreyinmidair(nicelyseparated)with onecarryingafishandtheotherattemptingtosnatch it.thebirdsareflyingagainstacloudscapewhichis sharp.nowicouldnotseehowthesubjectsinthe foregroundcouldbesharpandthecloudscapeinthe fardistancecouldalsobesharpwithoutusingashort lenswithasmallaperture.fortunatelythereisexif datawiththisjpeg(whichiknowcanbefakedbut whyfakeitsothatitdoesn tmatchyourscene?)and itstatesthattheimagewastakenatf/6.3witha thesubjectswere50mawaythedepthoffieldwould betooshallowtohavethecloudssharpalso.this makesmeverysuspiciousthatthisimageisinfacta composite. Alltheaboveimageswonawardsinthisparticular exhibitioncircuit. Selectorshaveadifficultjobinnationalandinternationalexhibitions,withhugenumbersofimagesto viewandarelativelyshortperiodoftimeinwhichto provideascore.fromtheperspectiveofthepeople whoareenteringlegitimateimagesintothese exhibitionstheywouldexpectthattherulesare beingpro-activelyenforcedandthatimagesare beingjudgedinaconsistentmanner.ihavebeen trulyshockedatthenumberofsuspectimagesihave foundfromlookingatjustonecdfromone exhibitioncircuit.thisissueshouldbegettingahigh profilewithintheworldwideorganisationspatronising exhibitions(fiap,psa,etc)asitdiscreditsthewhole systemofpatronage,makesamockeryoftheawards anddevaluesdistinctionsthataregivenonthebasis ofexhibitionacceptances. Sohowcouldtheseapparentirregularitiesbe combatedmoreeffectively? 1. ItseemstomethattherulesforNaturesections arenotactuallybeingenforced.theyneedto beorexhibitionsshouldloosetheirpatronage. 2. Perhapsalongwiththevotingbuttonsforjudges thereshouldalsobeoneforsuspectimagesthat shouldautomaticallyflagimagesforcloser reviewafterthejudgingprocessiscomplete. 3. Asaminimum,entrantsshouldhavetoprovide RAWfiles(orifonlyajpegisavailablethepsd orotherintermediatefilesusedforprocessing) foralltheiracceptedentriesifoneoftheir imageswinsanaward.iknowthatsome exhibitionsalreadydothisandwildlife PhotographeroftheYearhasprovedthatthisis ausefultool.iamawarethatthereareofcourse waysofcreatingrawfilesartificiallybutatleast thismightactassomesortofdeterrent. 4. Allrejectionsforseriousinfringementsofthe rulesshouldbemadepublic.icameacrossone entrantwhohadplagiarisedanother swork,was formallystrippedofhismedalsandpublicly shamedinanexhibitioncatalogue. 5. Moreofusneedtoaskawkwardquestions aboutsuspectimagesofexhibitionorganisers. Infactsomeonesaidtomewhenresearching thisthatorganiserswouldwelcomethisastheir jobissohard. Iamsurethatotherscancomeupwithmore suggestions. Itseemstomethattherearepotentiallysome reasonsorganisersmaybereluctanttobemoreproactive: 1. It sjusttoomucheffortgiventhevolumeof entriestoenforcetherulesproperly. 2. Thismayreducethevolumeofentriestheyget andhencereducetheirpotentialincomeandthe prestigeassociatedwiththeirexhibition. 3. Someoftheentrantsmayhavereputationsinthe photographicworldthatwouldbecalledinto questionbysuchanalysis/rejectionswhichmay havelegalconsequences. Anothercataloguehasjustcomeinthepost.Andthe GoldmedalfortheNaturesectiongoesto...You guessedit,itsoneofthosefishmiraculouslycaught jumpingfromthewaterandabouttocatcha dragonfly! Mynexttaskistotactfullywritetotheorganisers. The Iris - Spring

10 Butterflies of estonia by Trevor Davenport arps Despiteitssmallsizeandnorthernpositionthe countryofestoniaisasuperbplacetoseeand photographbutterflies,dragonfliesandotherinsects. Almosthalfofthecountryremainswild,andthe populationdensityintheremainderisoneofthe lowestineurope(approximately30peoplepersq. km).itisacountryofvariedwildernessand enchantingbeauty,undevelopedandunspoiled,with vastpeatbogs,denseforests,water-meadows, numerousriversandover1400lakes.remarkably, some18%oftheentirecountryisaffordedprotection asnationalparksornaturereserveswhicharewell caredfor.addtothisanexcellentinfrastructureand roadnetworkthat,forthemostpart,isalmostempty, thenitcomesasnosurprisethatthisisfastbecoming atopdestinationforvisitorswithaninterestinall formsofnaturalhistory. IwasunawareofmostofthisinformationwhenI agreedtojoinafriendforaweekinearlyjuly2013, andteamupwithanother7butterflyenthusiastson anestoniannaturetourstrip.ihad,however,seen thelistofbutterfliesanddragonflieswemight encounter-anditwasalisttodroolover!the butterflyfaunanumbersabout100specieswhichis almosttwicethenumberwecanseeinuk,together withanimpressive57speciesofodonata.manyof theseinsectspeciesarerareelsewhereineuropebut thrivehereintheirnaturalhabitatsundisturbedby intensivefarmingand,dareisayit,byinsecticides. Estoniaisatageographicalcrossroadsforfloraand fauna,wherespecieswithmainlynorthernand easterndistributionoverlapwiththosefromthe south.thisprovidesanopportunitytofindinsects fromthenorthalongsidethosefromthesouth,some ofthembeingattheextremesoftheirdistribution. OurgroupmetinTallinfromwherewetravelledfor 3hoursongoodroadstothesoutheasterncornerof thecountryandourexcellentaccommodationat MoosteViinavabrik,asuperblyrenovatedvodka distillery,(freevodkaonarrival),beautifullysituated incountrysideontheedgeofalargelake.this delightfullocationservedasourbaseforthreedays fromwhereweexploredavarietyofbutterfly-rich sites.fromtheveryfirsttripoutitwasobviousthat therewereinsectshereinabundance.allsortsof butterflies,dragonfliesandday-flyingmoths, togetherwithgrasshoppers,crickets,beesandflies, buzzedandflittedaroundusinaprofusionofwild flowers-andthiswasonlyonarailwayembankment! Myhighlightforthatdaywastophotographthe elusivecranberrybluebutterfly(plebejus optilete), but,aswithmanyofthedaysthatfollowed,the astonishingvarietyanddensityofinsectspecieswas asourceofbothjoy,and,attimes,bewilderment. Thereweresomanyofthemitwashardtoknow whichtophotographfirst.ourtimeinthefieldwas constantlypunctuatedwithcriesofdiscoveryofthis orthatspecies.attimesitwashardtosettleto photographaspecimenbeforeanother,evenmore spectacular,wasannounced. Ourrailwayembankmentmorningwasfollowedby anexcellentfarmhouselunchwithplentyofhome cookedregionalspecialties.estonianfoodisan interestingblendofcontinentalandscandinavian cuisine-withahintofrussiainthere-servedin generousandtastilysatisfyingportions.mealtimes werealwaysadelight.next,toawoodedriverbank thatnestledbetweenflower-filledfloodmeadows. SiteslikethisareararityanywhereinUKthesedays andtheyareareminderofwhatourfloodplains andwetmeadowsmayhavelookedlikeintimes past.itmaysoundlikeexaggerationtosaythey were alive withinsectsandbirdsbutit safactthat theywere.inthechest-highgrassyexpansesthere wereenoughflowerspeciestothrillanybotanist andthoseflowerssupportedaninsectpopulation todelighttheentomologist-notjustinnumberbut invarietytoo.herewephotographedyellowleggedtortoiseshell(nymphalis xanthomelas),a largebutterflywithaneasterneuropean/middle Eastdistribution;anynumberof blues,and,bythe riverside,wenettedandphotographedalovely GreenSnaketaildragonfly(Ophiogomphus cecilia), aspeciesofeasterneuropeandistributionand consideredascarceinsecteveninestonia. Thisfirstdaywastobesimilartothedaysthat followed-outearlyandbacklate-havingpacked asmuchaspossibleintotheday.wevisitedsites 8 The Iris - Spring 2014

11 Essex Skipper with dew Silver-studded Blue withdifferinghabitatssuchaskärknaforest, where,onforesttracksandrideswefoundthe threatenedscarcefritillary(euphydryas matuma); LesserMarbledFritillaries(Brenthis ino);large ChequeredSkippers(Heteropterus morpheus)and many,manyothers.inforestedboghabitat,whilst beingpesteredbymosquitoesandhorseflies,we werehushedtosilencebythesinister,primordial atmosphereofthevirginforest,allthewhileticking offinsectsbothknownandnew.attimesweheard, butneversaw,thecorncrake(crex crex),andin rainwaterpuddlesonthetrackswefoundmany varietiesofbutterflies puddling forminerals. Eachevening,attheguesthouse,acoldbeer helpeduswinddownbeforedinnerwhilstwatching forbirdsonthelake.attheselatitudesinearlyjuly itneverreallygetstotallydarkbutweputouta mothtrapandenjoyedcheckingthemothsbefore breakfast.itwascompletelylightby3am.anda goodtimetolookforroostingbutterfliesand dragonflies.onemorning,bythelake,iwas pleasedtofindandphotographanarcticbluet damselfly(coenagrion johanssoni),themost northerlyofoureuropeandamselfliesand consideredscarceinthebalticstates. Black-veined White Heath Fritillary Chestnut Heath

12 Ringlet on Scabious Scarce Copper Forthesecondpartofourtripwetravelledwestto thebalticislandofsaaremaa,stoppingontheway atwoodedmeadowsandspeciesrichroadsides.on wide,wellmaintainedanddesertedroadsideverges wefoundavarietyoforchidsandbutterfliesin almostoverwhelmingnumbers.howstrangeit seemedtophotographscarcecopperbutterflies (Lycaena virgaureae)indipsandhollowsatthe roadsidewithscoresoffritillaries,skippersandblues hanginglikeconfettionthesurroundingwildflowers. Itwasalmostsurreal. Havingcrossedbyferrytotheisland,forthenextfew dayswestayedatthelovelyloonamanor guesthouseonthewestcoastofsaaremaaand travelledoutdailytoavarietyofhabitats,including shoreline,meadowandwoodland.oneveryspecial habitatwevisitedwasan alvar meadow:ineurope, thesecanonlybefoundinestoniaandsouthern Sweden.Alvarisanenvironmentwithverythinorno soilonalimestoneplainproducingsparsevegetation andfascinatingfloraandfauna.herewefound orchidsinvarietywithlotsofbutterfliesincluding ChestnutHeath(Coenonympha glycerion)anddusky MeadowBrown(Hyponephele lycaon).ifoundand photographedaspecimenofthislatterbutterflythat Lesser Marbled Fritillary Cranberry Blue Scarce Fritillary

13 hadbeenmarkedwhichindicatedthatthisrareand remoteenvironmentwasbeingwellmonitored. Ourguesthouse-LoonaManor-isinthecentreof VilsandiNationalParkand,onceagain,wewere treatedtoexcellentcuisineservedattimesbyladies innationalcostume.onourpenultimatedaywe travelledbacktothemainlandandspentan unforgettabledayinthewoodedmeadowsof LaelatuandtheraisedbogsofMukre.Laelatuis renownedforitswoodedmeadowhabitatwhere over700vascularplantspecieshavebeenrecorded. Itholdstheunofficialworldrecordforthemost vascularplantspeciesrecordedinasinglesquare metre-76. OurfinaldestinationwastheraisedbogsofMukre. These(ombrotrophic)bogforestsarepineforests butwithapeatsubstratumthatstronglyhinders treegrowth.atonepointwetraversedawellmade boardwalkover2kmlongthatwounditsway throughmagnificentbogfloraofsphagna,heathers, cottongrasses,cloudberriesandstuntedtrees.the scenerywasaspectacularmixtureofmire,lakesand dwarfforestwithaveritablesnowfallofsilverstuddedbluebutterflies(plebejus argus).iconfessi hadtobedraggedawayfromtheseiconiclittle butterfliesbutotherraritiesawaitedintheformof White-facedDarter(Leucorrhinia dubia)andeastern White-facedDarter(Leucorrhinia albifrons) dragonflies.whatatrulywonderfulenvironment withwhichtofinishourestonianadventure. Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell Northern Brown Argus WespentthefinalnightinTallin,recountingour experienceswhilstdininginatallinmedieval Experiencehostelry.Wehadrecorded58speciesof butterfly,(manynewforme);over30speciesof dragonfly,includingthemajesticbaltichawker (Aeshna serrata);asplendidnumberofbirds, beetles,orthoptera,andblurofbotanicnotables. Onourlastdayweweretreatedtoafreeguided tourofthislovelycitybeforeweweretakentothe airportfortheflighthome.wesawnorain-which wasabonus-andthebenignweatheraddedtoa reallymemorableandenjoyableholiday.now,as winterapproaches,mythoughtsaredriftingtowards nextyear:withanyluckimaygetachancetomake areturnvisit. Silver Studded Blue The Iris - Spring

14 Kruger National Park by David Cantrille frps Grey Hornbill take-off ThiswasourthirdvisittotheKrugerNationalPark, SouthAfrica.Westayedthistimeintwolodgesin theparkitself:lowersabieandsatara,bothwell situatedforavarietyofdrivesindifferentterrain. Also,atLowerSabie,wewerenexttotheSabieriver whichproducedlotsofopportunitiesforwaterbirds andanimals.oursafaritookplaceinthesouth Africanwintersothatthedayswerelargelysunny anddry,nightswerecoolandthedaysnottoohot. Thismeantthatwecouldbeoutalldayifwewished. Hippo s teeth Crocodile with Hippo foot OnehighlightofourstayatLowerSabiewasatSunset Dam,whereaHippohaddiedduringthenight,either fromoldageorfromafightwithanothermale.atfirst theotherhipposdefendedthecarcassbutbythe secondmorningtheyhadabandoneditandcrocodiles werebusytryingtobreakthroughitsverytoughskin, twistingandturningtogetthelegsfromthebody. SuddenlyaCrocodilespedstraighttowardsusthrough thewater,openeditsjawswithin15feetofustoreveal ahippofoot,chompedthreeorfourtimesandthen swallowedthewholething.itwasawfulbutriveting! Wealsomanagedtogetafewshots.SunsetDamwas verygoodforbirds,too:yellow-billedstorks,blackwingedstilts,white-crownedlapwings,blackstork, HadedaIbisandEgyptianGeese,tonamebutafew.

15 SataraLodgeissituatedinanareaofgrassland goodforostrichandbigcats-thoughwithan areaofhillsandwoodlandsnearby.itwasalsovery goodforeaglesandlilac-breastedrollers.onour journeyfromlowersabietosataratheweather wasgreyanddampafterathunderstormthe previousnight.ourguidetoldusthatrainwould begoodforanimalsightings,asfewanimalsliked toliearoundinwetgrass.thisturnedouttobe absolutelytrue assoonaswesetoutwemeta Hyenawhichwascuriousenoughtocomerightup toourvehicletolookatus.shortlyafterwardswe metanotherhyena,thenamatingpairoflion about30yardsaway,followedbyagroupoflions withagiraffekillrightnexttotheroad. AnotherhighlightofourstayoccurrednearSatara, whenalateafternoondriveproducedasaddlebilledstorklookingforpreyinagrassyarea,notina streamaswouldbenormal.aswedrovenearer,the storkappearedtobewrestlingwithsomeprey, whichturnedouttobeaslendermongoose.after severalattemptstoholdontothemongoosebyits neckoritstail,thestorklostitandflewseveralyards away,presumablytoavoidanipontheankles!this adventureproducedsomeinterestingimages. Yellow-billed Hornbill with Scorpion Saddle-billed Stork with Slender Mongoose. Lions mating

16 Feathered Thorn Moth Young Cheetah Thefirsttwodaysofourtripwerespentataprivate gamelodge(tshukudu)nexttokrugerwherethey takeinorphanorinjuredanimals.forinstance,they haveafemalekingcheetah,whomtheyaretrying tomatewithanormalcheetah,tocontinuetheline. AKingcheetahisveryrareandcarriesarecessive genewhichcausesdarkermarkings,particularly alongtheback.attshukuduwecouldalsotakea cheetahforawalk!thereisnothingquitelike strokingapurringcheetah. Leopard running 14 The Iris - Spring 2014

17 Caracal jumping ThegamelodgealsohasaCaracalbreeding programme,wherethekittensareputoutintothe wildwhenfullygrown.wehadtheadvantagethis tripofspendinganafternoonwithtwoalmostadult Caracalswhowerefamiliarwithhumansandsome interestingphotographsresulted.itisextremelyrare tospotcaracalsinthewild. Wehaverecentlydownsizedourequipment.My longestlensisnowacanon300mmf2.8lmkiiand mywifehasthemkiversionofthe300mm.our cameraswereacanoneos1dmkivandeos7d. IwasalsoabletohireaCanon500mmlensforpart ofthetrip.1.4xand2xconverterswerebothvery useful. EachofourKrugertripshavebeenveryproductiveof awidevarietyofimages,andwehavebenefitted fromhavingourownsafaridriver/fieldguide,familiar withtheterrainandknowledgeableaboutthewildlife. WehaveusedWild4PhotographicSafariseachtime. Ourvehiclewascustom-builtforphotographers,with beanbagsonplatformsateachwindowandaccess tobothsidesofthevehicleforeachphotographer. Leopard climbing down tree Lilac-breasted Roller calling The Iris - Spring

18 La Brenne - a hidden wildlife gem by Brian Sherwin LRPS SituatedintheIndreandCentreDepartmentsof France,some40milesnortheastofPoitiers,liesthe littleknowndesignatednationalwildlifeconservation areaoflabrenne.thepopulationofaround30,000 residents,livinginsmalltownsandvillages,are mainlyengagedinagriculture,whichincommonwith manyotherruralareasoffrance,isingradualdecline. Coveringanareaofroughly20milesfromnorthto southand30milesfromeasttowest,thelandis fairlyflatandprovidesnumerouswildliferefugesin theformofmorethan1000 etangs (shallowlakes). Constructedinthemiddleagesbythemonksliving inthelocalabbeys,asareadysourceoffreshwater fish,thelakesarestillincommercialusetodayforthe samepurpose. Thespin-offfromallthiswaterhascreatedoneof thelargestandmostimportantinland wetlands in France,providingabreedingareaforarangeof summermigrants,principallywhiskeredtern,black NeckedGrebe,Herons,Ducks,andWarblers.Italso holdsthelargestresidenteuropeanpopulationof PondTurtles. ThedistancetotheareafromCalaisisabout400 miles,whichcanbedriveninadayusingthefrench motorways.weoptedtobreakourjourneywithan overnightstayinchartres.onourreturnjourneywe stayedinevreux,havingusedtheeurotunnelservice forourchannelcrossing,anddrivingonthelargely trafficfree RouteNationale roads. OurvisittookplaceinMayof2012whenwestayed neartothesmalltownofazay-le-ferronat LaConfiance,aconvertedfarmownedbyBritish ex-patschrisandsuemooney. Ourfirstmorningwasarevelation.Oncountryroads withvirtuallynotraffic,itwaseasytostopandstart ateverynewthingwespotted.mostroadsideverges weredottedwithorchidswhichinone300yard stretchyieldedninedifferentspecies.alongwiththe otherflowers,butterflieswerefoundinprofusion, withnearlyeverylanedottedwithwoodwhite, SootyCopper(anewspeciesforme),CommonBlue andwallbrown.theafternoonwasspentat La Cherine naturereserve,whichwassetuptoprotect oneofthemainbreedingareasofthepondturtle. 16 The Iris - Spring 2014

19 ThereservehasavisitorcentrewithEnglishspeaking staff,andprovidesup-to-dateinformationonwhere birds,butterfliesandplantscanbefound.withthree birdhidesandnumerouspathsonourfirstwalkwe sawgreenhairstreak,grizzledanddingyskipper, MarshFritillaryandBrimstone. ManyEnglishvisitorstothecentrebookaguided tourwithtonywilliams,anenglishmanwholivesin thearea,andhasworkedasawardeninlabrenne forover20years.tonycanusuallybefoundatla CherineonaMondaymorningandisalwaystotalk abouthiswork. The MaisonduParc,theadministrativeheadquarters neartothechateauoflebouchetistheothermajor informationcentreandwellworthavisit.guidesand mapsoftheregionarefreelyavailable,togetherwith agoodshopstockedwithguidebooksandlocal produce.thecentreprovidesbookingfacilitiesfor dailyguidedtoursthroughouttheregion,includingan eveningvisittothelancosmeforesttowatch Nightjars.Asmalltheatreshowsanaudiovisual presentationoftheregionwhilsttherestaurantserves excellentsnacksandlunches.

20 Subsequentdayswerespentphotographingasmany flowersandinsectsaspossible,withaviewof extendingmyportfolioofnaturalhistorypictures. Theillustrationsshownhererepresentasmallsample ofsomeofthemoreinterestingspeciesusinga NikonD7000togetherwith105mmf2.8NikonMacro andnikon300mmf4telephotolenses.myfavourite imageisthebroad-borderedbeehawkmoth,which visitedaflowerclosetothecarwhilstwewere enjoyingourdailypicnic. Thelogofourvisitshowsthatwerecorded51birds, 16Orchidsand25Butterfliesduringour6days. IfoundmostoftheinformationaboutLaBrenneonthe internetpriortoourvisit,andwouldrecommendthat youdolikewise.beingaruralareaaccommodationis noteasytofind,althoughoneortwonaturetravel companiesofferapackagevisittotheregion. Asearchon Google willrevealplentyofvisitor reports,manywithspecieslogs,andtheplaces wheretheywerefound. Detailsofourstaycanbefoundonthewebsite Ifyouneedanyhelptoplanyourowntripyoucan 18 The Iris - Spring 2014

21 Chile: Land of Contrasts by Margaret Johnson arps InNovemberthreefriendsandIspentfiveweeksin ChileandEasterIsland.Itwasourintentiontodoa lotofwalkingintheandessowetriedtokeepour luggageaslightaspossible.itookapanasoniclumix FZ45witha24xopticalzoom.Itwaslighttocarry andiwasverypleasedwiththewayitperformed. ItwasalongflighttoSantiago,thevibrantand moderncapitalcity,andthenontovalparaisofora coupleofnightsbeforereturningtosantiagoandan opportunitytolookaroundbeforeflyingtoarica. WeweremettherebyMario,theuniversityprofessor whowastobeourguide,anddriventoputre(3500 metreshigh).wepassedthroughsomeincredible sceneryoftheatacamadesert.itissodrythatthere arenoplants,animalsorinsectsinsomeareas. WethentravelledtoLaucaNPwhichisaUnesco BiosphereReserve.Therearemanybeautifullakesin thisparkespeciallylakechungarawhichisoneof theworld shighest(4512m).theperfectconesof volcanoesparanacota,pomaerape,sajamaand

22 Guallatireloomoverthelake.Thelakewasahaven forbirds,thechilean,jamesandandeanflamingos (andwesawallthree),giantcootsnesting,kelp GullsandAndeanGullstonameafew.Wesaw manyviscachosunbathingontherocks.backin AricaavisittotheharbourtophotographPeruvian Pelicans,SeaLionsandCormorants. Vischaca Liolaemus tenuis AshortflighttoAntofagastaandthenafourhour drivetosanpedrodeatacamafromwherewe visitedtheeltatiogeysers-thethirdlargest geothermalareaintheworld.ourvisittherewas earlyinthemorningsothatwewouldseeallthe steamswirlingaround-oncethesunrisesthesteam evaporatesanditisnotsospectacular.wealsosaw theamazingrockformationsinthesaltflats,death ValleyandMoonValleywheretheAmericanstested theequipmenttheysenttomars. AnotherflightfromCalamatoTamucoandthena drivetopucon.fromtherewewenttohuerquehue NPwherewewalkedthroughrainforesttovisittwo waterfalls.thiswastoturnouttobeoneoftwowet daysandtheterrainwasverymuddy!thenonto ConquilloNPwherewephotographedatanother lakesurroundedbyvolcanoes.therearealmost 2000volcanoesinChileofwhich49arestillactive, includingthellaimavolcanowhicheruptedlastin 2008.Wewalkedacrossalavafieldtoabeautiful beach.therearealsomanymonkeypuzzletreesin thispark.theseareanendemicspeciesandonthe endangered list. AfourhourbusjourneybroughtustoPuertoVarras andfromherewejourneyedbybusandboatto Puella-onafinedaythiswouldhavebeen spectacularastheboatpassedbythemountainsbut unfortunatelytheywerecoveredinmistandcloud. WevisitedChiloeislandtoseethebreedingsitesof MagellanicandHumboldtPenguins.Therewereonly twohumboldtpenguinsvisibleasmostwerenesting undergroundbutthereweremanymagellanic. AtRalunwevisitedtheOrsonovolcanowherewe wentuptothesnowlinefromwheretherewere spectacularviews. Paranicoti Volcano AflighttoPuntoArenasandafivehourdrivetook ustotorresdelpainenp.westayedattheonly hotelintheparkandithinkitisoneofthemost beautifulplacesihaveeverbeen.theandesprovide thebackdropandthethreegranitepillarssoarmore than2000mabovethepatagoniansteppeand dominatethelandscape.youmeettheguideseach 20 The Iris - Spring 2014

23 eveninganddecidewhichtripsyouwishtodothe nextday.wespentthenextfewdayswalkinginthe AndesandsawmanyspeciesincludingCondors, Guanacos,SkunkandSilverFox.. Itwasthentimetoleavethemainlandandflyto EasterIsland,afiveandaquarterhourflightfrom Santiago.Thisisthemostamazingislandwitha fascinatinghistory.priortomyvisitihadthought therewereonlyafewofthesegiantstatuesbutthere arehundredsofthemspreadallovertheisland. Manyarelyingonthegroundwheretheywere abandonedbutsomehavebeenrestoredandare nowstandingontheirplatforms.howtheygotthere fromthequarryisjustunbelievable.thereisonlyone smalltown,hangaroa,andmostoftheinhabitants areself-sufficient.everythingcomesinbyplaneor boatandthewayoflifeisveryleisurely.wevisited allthemajorsitesandmysenseofwonderjust increasedasthedayswentby. Ourtripofalifetimewasoveralltoosoonand beforeweknewitwewerestartingthelong,long journeybacktoengland. Moai Peruvian Pelicans

24 Nature group Residential Weekend The Kingcombe Centre LowerKingcombe,DorsetDT20EQ friday 18th July to Monday 21st July Cost: 285includingallmeals andpackedlunches. Theweekendislimitedto16 participants. MeetforafternoonteaonFriday afternoon,departfollowing afternoonteaonmonday. for further information or Reservations contact: JamesFoad Tel: field Meeting Bempton Cliffs, east Yorkshire Date: Saturday 5th July 2014 Time: 9:00 am 6:00 pm for further details see page The Iris - Spring 2014

25 Schedule of field Meetings 2014 Date: Sunday 10th May* and/or Tuesday 13th May, 2014 (*additional/alternativeday) Location Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve BradbourneValeRoad,Sevenoaks Kent,TN133DH Meeting: JeffereyHarrisonVisitorCentre grid Ref: TQ Leader GrahamSaxby Cost: Donationof 3to 5toKentWildlifeTrust issuggested Subjects of Interest: Waterbirds,wildflowers,insects Items to bring:stoutshoes,waterproofs,packed Lunchandsomethingtodrink. additional information: Smoothlevelpaths,good wheelchairaccessroundreserve,sixhides, includingoneverysmallhide.caféhatch servinglightrefreshments,outsidetables. Contact: GrahamSaxby Tel (H) (M) Date: Thursday June 19th Time: for am start Location: Malham Tarn estate and environs, North Yorkshire Meeting: NationalTrustEstateOfficecarpark, WaterHouses,Settle,NorthYorkshire. BD299PT.GR Subjects of interest:thenationalnaturereserve ishabitatformanyrareplantsandgrasses; thetarnandsurroundinglimestone countryishometocurlew,dipper,kestrel andwadingbirds.additionallythe geologyoflimestonepavement,water sinks,malhamcove,goredaleandjanet s Fossprovidemanyphotographic opportunitieswithintwomilesofthetarn. Leader: GeorgeLamb.Wewillalsobejoinedby thenationaltrustecologyrangerforthe areawhowillprovideanintroductorytalk totheareaandaccompanyusforthefirst partofthedayaroundthetarnandfen areas.hislocalknowledgeofplant locationsetcshouldensurewemaximise photographicopportunities. additional Information:Thedaywillstartwith activityinthennrandtarnarea.asthe daydevelopsanddependingonnumbers wecouldspreadinsmallergroupstovisit theotherlimestonefeaturesmentioned above.itwillbeaninformal,freeformday developingaroundweatherandindividual interests.thereissomuchtoseeanddo soourvisitwillonlytouchthesurfaceof thisbeautifulanddiversehabitat.details ofroutedirectionstomalhamcanbe foundonthewebsitesformalhamtarn andmalham. Items to bring: Wewillbeinexposedmoorland countrysowarmclothes,waterproofs (eveninjune!!)andwalkingbootsare essential.therearegoodpathsand boardwalksaroundthetarn,atmalham CoveandGoredalebutonthelimestone pavementthegroundisroughandcareis needed.accommodation,pubsandcafé areavailableinmalhamvillageandnearby Settlebutformiddaypleasebringa packedlunchandsomethingtodrink. Note: Limitedtoiletfacilitiesareavailableatthe NationalTrustOfficesoIrecommenda stopenrouteinmalhamvillageatthe NationalParkVisitorCentre(GR900627) wheretherearegoodfacilitiesandalso disabledfacilities. Contact: GeorgeLamb.Tel Mobile george.lamb@virgin.net Pleasecallifyouneedfurtherinformation. Itwouldbehelpfultoknownumbersin advancesopleaseletmeknowifyou intendtojoinus. Date: Saturday June 21st, Time: am. Location: ainsdale Sand Dunes, Sefton Coast, Merseyside Meeting:TheAinsdaleDiscoveryCentre, ThePromenade,ShoreRoad, Ainsdale-on-Sea,NrSouthport,PR82QB Main subjects of interest:orchidsandotherdune flora,amphibians,reptilesandinsects,etc. Leader: TrevorDavenportARPS DrPhilSmith,MBE,haskindlyagreedto joinusonthisfieldtrip;philisanoted expertontheseftoncoastandauthorof TheSandsofTime and TheSandsof TimeRevisited (AmberleyPress2009). The Iris - Spring

26 Schedule of field Meetings 2014 continued additional information:thesand-dunesofthe SeftonCoastprovidethelargestsand-dune complexinenglandcoveringanareaof approximately2100ha.itisafascinating andever-changinghabitatwithmany photographicopportunitiesthroughoutthe seasons.inearlysummerthedunescanbe richlyrewardingforbothbotanicand entomologicalsubjects.weshouldexpect tofinduptosixspeciesoforchidaswell asmanyotherbotanicalspecies,northern DuneTiger-beetle(Cicindela hybrida)-a superblyphotogenicinsect;andaplentiful arrayofearlybutterfliesanddragonflies. Theareaisalsonotedfortwoincreasingly rarespecies:thesandlizard(lacerta agilis),andthenatterjacktoad(epidalea calamita),formerly(bufo calamita). Althoughnoteasytolocate,wewilldo somepriorresearchintopossiblelocations. Thereisplentifulaccommodationinthe nearbyseasideresortofsouthport. Items to bring:thereareveryfewnaturalhazards buttheareaisexposedsolightwarm clothingandwaterproofsincaseofrain. Stoutshoesorwellingtonsmayalsobe required.therearenocostsinvolvedbut attendeesareadvisedtobringapacked lunchandsomethingtodrink. Contact: TrevorDavenport- Tel: Mobile: ; Pleasecallor forfurtherinformation. Date: Sunday June 29th 2014 Time: am. Location: Devil s Dyke, Cambridgeshire A7.5milelongAnglo-Saxonearthwork consistingofabankandditchbuiltoutof clayandchalknearnewmarket.thedyke isnotableforitswildflowers-including severalspeciesoforchidandbutterflies. Thisoutinginvolvesafairlylongwalk (cmileeachway)withsomesteps. Meeting: CarParkisaccessedviathesliproadoff theracehorsestatueroundabout (junctionofthea1303anda1304)leading tothejulycourse.continueonthelane toitsendwherethereisagrasscarpark. Address:NewmarketJulyRacecourse, Suffolk,CB80XE Leader: AnnMiles(ann@pin-sharp.co.uk) Cost: Free. Main subjects of interest: Chalklovingflowerssuch asgreaterknapweed,sainfoin,harebells andcarlinethistle.orchidsincluding Lizard,PyramidalandBee,plusseed headsofthepasqueflower.butterflies includedingyskipper,greenhairstreak, White-letterHairstreakandBrownArgus. ChalkhillBlueonthissitelaterintheyear. Items to bring: Stoutshoesandwaterproofs.No refreshmentsavailableonsitesopacked lunchanddrinkswillberequired.the areaisveryexposedsosunprotection mayberequiredifweatherishot. Nature group Residential Weekend Date: Location: Time: Cost: Booking information: friday 18th July to Monday 21st July. The Kingcombe Centre, LowerKingcombe,DorsetDT20EQ MeetforafternoonteaonFridayafternoon, departfollowingafternoonteaonmonday. 285includingallmealsandpackedlunches. Theweekendislimitedto16participants. ContactJamesFoadTel: james_foad@hotmail.com 24 The Iris - Spring 2014

27 Date: Saturday 5th July 2014 Time: 9:00 am 6:00 pm Location: Bempton Cliffs, east Yorkshire: Postcode:YO151JF. GridRef:TA Locationsuitableforwheelchairs Directions: Thereserveislocatedonthecliffroad fromthevillageofbempton,b1229road fromflamboroughtofiley.inbempton village,turnnorthwardsatthewhite Horsepublichouse-thereserveisatthe endoftheroadafter1mile(followthe browntouristsigns). Leader: JamesFoadLRPS, Tel: or Cost: Parking:freetoRSPBmembers, 5NonRSPBmembers Main subjects of Interest:Gannets(Morus bassanus) andtheiryoung,puffins(fratercula arctica), Razorbills(Alca torda),kittiwake(rissa tridactyla),treesparrows(passa montanus), PeregrineFalconandperhapsShort-eared Owl(Asio flammeus).alsobutterflies, Mothsandotherinsects,Orchidsand variouswildflowers. Date: Saturday July 12th 2014 Time: 9.30 am Location: Wicken fen Nature Reserve (National Trust) Meeting: MeetinCafeareaatWickenFen address: LodeLane,Wicken,Ely,Cambridgeshire, CB75XP grid Ref. 154:TL Leader: Cost: FreetoNationalTrustMembers 5.90( 6.50withGiftaid)tonon-Member ofthent.carparkfreeformembers; 2.50fornon-members. Main subjects of interest:dragon/damselflies, GrassSnakes,CommonLizard,Konik ponies.birdsincludemarshharriers, Cuckoos,BeardedTit. speciespresentandtheresearch conductedthere. Items to bring:stoutshoes,waterproofs,drinkand packedlunch.thereisagoodcafeat Wickenbutitcanbebusyatweekends. Important: PrebookingessentialsothattheWarden canbeinformedhowmanytoexpect. Nature Photo Workshop Saturday 31st May am to 4pm. North Lincolnshire Cost 50 including buffet lunch. Limited to 12 people. ThiswillfollowfromlastyearssuccessfuleventwhenGeoffTrinderARPSheldasimilareventwith PaulHobsonatGeoff shomeinnorthlincolnshire. Species to photograph:barnowlandkestrelbothposedinsuitablenaturalsettingsaswellasin flight.otherspecieswillincludevariousmothspecies,commonfrogandtoadanditishopedto haveharvestmiceandfiresalamander,withthepossibilityofoneortwootherspecies. Venue: Directions: Tobook TheCroft,CarrhouseRoad,Belton,Doncaster,SouthYorkshire,DN91PG. AboveisthepostaladdressbutitisactuallyinNorthLincolnshire. FromM180,leaveatjunction2ontotheA161andfollowsignsforGainsborough.Belton isthefirstvillage.onenteringthevillageturnrightattheminiroundabout,signposted Sandtoft.AfterthreequartersofamileturnleftintoCarrhouseRoad.TheCroftisthe 2nddetachedhouseontheleft,about100ydsfromthecorner.Parkingisdownthedrive totherightofthehouse. TelephoneGeoffon ChequesshouldbemadepayabletoRPSNatureGroup. Pleasebookbefore1stMayasGeoffwillbeawayuntillaterinthemonth! The Iris - Spring

28 Schedule of field Meetings 2014 continued Wicken fen Nature Reserve, continued... other information:wehavepermissiontousethe educationaldippingponds-excellentfor Dragonfliesandotherinsects.TheBritish DragonflySocietyhasaCentreatWicken Fen.OurvisitisduringDragonflyWeek 2014sospecialeventsmaybeplanned: content/dragonfly-centre. Thereareseveralhidesaroundthefenand thelastcoupleofyearshaveseenplentiful sightingsofhobbyandmarshharrier.see RichardNicoll sarticleinthe Iris Winter 2013.TheFensupportsagoodpopulation ofcuckoos Nature group Residential Weekend 2014 Date: friday 18th July to Monday 21st July. Location: The Kingcombe Centre, LowerKingcombe,DorsetDT20EQ OSgridref. Time: MeetforafternoonteaonFriday afternoon,departafterafternoonteaon Monday. Cost: 285includingallmealsandpacked lunches. additional information: Theweekendislimitedto 16participants. Bookingdetailsandfurtherinformation fromjamesfoad: Contact: JamesFoad,Tel: havergate Island - update Cancellations 8th March & 29th March field Meetings. Weregrettoadvisemembersthatthese meetingshavebeencancelledduedamageto footpathsandhidesontheislandfollowingthe tidalsurgeindecember.therspbisunableto confirmwhentheislandwillre-open.therefore wehavenoalternativebuttocancel/postpone thetripsuntil2015. Thepopulationofhareshassufferedbadlyandit isnowestimatedthatasfewas10mayhave survived.however,continuedsupportwillhelp therspbtorecreatetheenvironmentthathas allowedthemtothriveinthepast. havergate Island TheRSPBislookingforWorkingPartyVolunteers toundertakeavarietyofnecessarywork includingtherestorationoffootpathsand movingthehidesbackintothecorrectpositions Anyoneinterestedinattendingoneofthese shouldcontactkieranalexanderformore information. Kieran.Alexander@rspb.org.uk OfficePhone: Congratulations ThefollowingNatureGroupmembersrecentlyachievedtheirAssociateshipDistinctioninNature: CharlieBishop MartinChapman Somerset Warwickshire CheeKwanLeer MartinVaughan HongKong Leicestershire. GoodlucktoallmemberswhoaresubmittinginMarch. 26 The Iris - Spring 2014

29 The Nature Photographer s Joint Convention october 24th- 26th, The hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire De55 1au The2014JointConventionwillbeheldattheHayesConferenceCentreinSwanwick,intheheartof thederbyshirecountryside.keynotespeakerswillbejohnbebbingtonfrpsandrogertidman. AsanRPSNatureGroupmember,youwouldbemademostwelcomeatthisevent. Alimitednumberofroomsareavailableandyouarestronglyadvisedtobookassoonaspossible. Priorityhasbeengiventopastdelegatesandmembersofthemajorpostalportfoliosi.e.theNPP,NPS andzpc.totakeadvantageofthisofferandsecureyourplaceyouneedtobookassoonaspossible. Thepackageisall-inclusiveandnon-negotiable.Allroomsareofaveryhigh-qualitywithensuite bathrooms.allmealsfromafternoonteaonfriday,october24th,tosundaylunchonsunday,october 26th,areincluded.Thecentreissetinitsownspaciousandbeautifulgroundswithampleparking adjacenttotheaccommodation. Ihavebeenaskedbythemanagementtostressthatnopetsofanydescriptionareallowedanywhere onthehayessiteandresidentialvehiclescannotbeparkedovernightonthecentrecarparks. JohnTinning,ConferenceOrganiser The NaTuRe PhoTogRaPheRS JoINT CoNVeNTIoN, october 24th- 26th, BooKINg form Name: address: Postcode: Telephone number: address: accommodation Required [ Please tick one box only ] Iwishtobookaroomfortwopersons@ 180perpersoni.e. 360all-inclusive. Nameofpartner/guest: Iwishtobookaplaceinasharedtwin-beddedroom@ 180perpersonall-inclusive. Iwouldbewillingtosharewith: Iwishtobookaroomonasingle-occupancybasis@ 190all-inclusive. Iwishtoattendasanon-residentialdelegate@ 125,withallmeals,exceptbreakfast,included.

30 News, Views & Reviews Photographic exhibitions of australia invite you to enter the Sydney harbour International and the Sydney International exhibition of Photography. Bothexhibitionshavesectionsfornatureimages. online submission of entries: SydneyHarbourInternationalby to: SydneyInternationalExhibitionofPhotographyby to: Cheltenham Camera Club inviteyoutoenterthe 2014 International Salon of Photography Receivingentriesnowanduntil Entriesclose 11April2014 Judging 25-28April2014 Forinstructionsandon-lineentry,visit FIAP,PSA&RPSPatronage Aconfirmationofyourreservationandanoutlineprogrammewillbesentby or snailmail tothe addressyouhaveprovidedoverleaf.pleasenotethatnomoniescanberefundedforcancellationafter June1st,2014. Special Requirements Dietary?[Pleasespecify] Disabledaccess/roomrequired? Anyother?[Pleasespecify] exhibitors Mypresentationwillbedigitalimages Mypresentationwillbeslideimages Iwishtoshow50images.[10minutesmaximum] Iwishtoshow25images.[5minutesmaximum] Toensureyourplace,pleasereturnthisformwithachequeforthefullamountassoonaspossible. Chequesshouldbemadepayableto TheNaturePhotographers JointConvention andsentto: TheConventionOrganiser,JohnTinning, BrockwoodHouse,21ErvinWay, Queniborough, LEICESTER,Leicestershire,LE73TT

31 Views & Reviews IhavesomesympathyforColinSmale'sviewson cameraclubs(see The Iris issue 115, Spring 2013). We'veallsufferedfromjudgeswhodon'tunderstand -butheoverlooksafewimportantfacts. Hemayhave40years'experiencebehindthecamera butothersdon't.whattohimisjustanotherboring snapmaybeahugeachievementforanother photographer,evenwith21stcenturytechnology. Andthat'sassumingtheycanaffordsome. Photographycanbeanexpensivepastime-not everyonehasatop-of-the-rangedslrandabagful oflenses.that birdonastick ofwhichhe'sso dismissivemayhavebeentakenbyabeginner,or withacompactpushedtothelimitofitscapability. I'vebeenacameraclubmemberforaroundfouryears, yet birdonastick isaphrasei'veheardseveraltimes, usuallyexpressedinanuncomplimentarymanner. Theimplicationisthattheoffendingphotographer shouldn'tbotherifthat'sthebesttheycando.ironic whenthecoverofissueno.115oftheirisfeatureda birdonasticktakenbythelatetonyhamblinfrps andtwomoreinsidetoillustratetheobituarywhich remindeduswhatafinephotographerhewas. ColingoesontocriticiseDPIsbecausethey'renot a one-offshot liketransparencies.however,that'sno reasontoscrapthedpisection-ithasitsplace.just asnoteveryonecanaffordthebestcamera,some photographershavetomakedowithlow-end printers,cheappaperandcompatibleink.theirprints can'tpossiblycompetewiththosefromabig-money nine-colourmachine,butinthedpieveryoneis equal;thebestimagewins,notthebestprint.the costandtimeinvolvedwithenteringprint competitionscanalsobeprohibitive.ifclubexperts wantacompetitionforimagesstraightoutofthe camerathere'snothingtostopthemorganisingone. Fortherecord,Iusean entrylevel PentaxK100D andtwopentaxzooms:18-55mmand50-300mm. IprintusinganEpson2880(withrealink). RussellTurnerLRPS Review Overtheyears,asmycameraequipmenthas improved,ihavebuiltupaquiteacollectionof backpacks,tripodsandtripodheads.nonehave beenidealforallpurposesandmanyarenow redundantandlanguishinginacupboard.however, sincetheacquisitionofaprettyheavylenssome18 monthsagocombinedwithweightrestrictionswhen flying,ihavehadtoreconsiderelementsofmykit andtosavesomeweightwhereicould.thisresulted inthepurchaseofyetanothertripodandagimbal typetripodheadwhichdidnotrequiretheuseofa heavyball&sockethead,likethearca.ihaveoften wishedforsomethinglikethewimberleymkii,but couldneverjustifythe 500pricetagtomyself. Travellingcanreallyknockyourkitabouttoo, especiallyontripswhereyoumaybeinanoutof vehicleslikelandrovers-tripodsslideaboutand rubagainstthefloor;fellowtravellersanxiousnotto missanythingpullouttheirtripodandyourswithit, resultingindamagetoyourswhenithitstheground. I vehaditallhappen!itsbadenoughwhenthekitis moderatelypriced,butdoyoureallywanttothrowa tripod&headcombinationwithavalueof intothebackofalandrover? AfewmonthsagoIreceivedarequestfrom MikeLaneFRPStoplaceanadinTheIrisforanonlineshophehadstarted.OneoftheitemsIsaw therewasagimbalheadofthetypeiwanted.the pricetagwasunder 70includingshippingandit tookmenotimeatalltojustifytheexpenditure. IhavejustreturnedfromatriptotheFalklands wheretheheadwasinuse12hoursaday,everyday fortwoweeks.icannotsayhowitcompareswith similardesignssuchasthewimberleymkiisincei havenotusedone.itcertainlygetsmyvoteforvalue formoney.itisrobustandperformeditsdutiesvery wellandiwasnotdisappointedwithitinanyway. Ihavealreadyhappilyrecommendedittoseveral otherphotographers.itmightbejustwhatyouare lookingforandataveryaffordablepricetoo. DawnOsbornFRPS The Iris - Spring

32 Membership Statistics Shown Below are Nature group members per RPS region together with regional codes and other statistics Regions CE - Central 65 EA - EastAnglia 66 EM - EastMidlands 44 IRL - Ireland 05 LN - London 27 NI - Ireland(North) 02 NO - Northern 16 NW - NorthWestern 51 SC - Scotland 38 SE - SouthEastern 93 SO - Southern 57 SW - SouthWestern 21 TH - ThamesValley 56 WE - Western 66 WN - NorthWales 09 WS - SouthWales 16 YO - Yorkshire 34 Distinctions HonoraryFRPS 04 FRPS 83 ARPS 240 LRPS 176 NoneDistinctionholders 219 Total 722 Total uk 665 overseas 57 Total Membership 722 Thesestatisticsareprepared fromdatasuppliedbythe RPSMembershipDepartment January2014 Map courtesy of the RPS Journal January/February 2001 revised The Iris - Spring 2014

33 Canon 40mm STM Lens by graham Saxby Whatdoesitdothat sdifferentfromotherlenses? WhywouldI,oranyoneelse,wanttobuyone?My maininterestisnaturephotographybutwithan emphasisonwildlifeandbirdphotography.ihave beengettinglonglensesforbirdphotographyand wideangleforenvironmental/habitat/landscape shotsoftheplacesivisit.butwherewoulda40mm pancakelensbeuseful? WhenCanonlaunchedthe40mmand22mmstepper motorlensesiwasquitetakenbythe22mmand disappointedtofinditwasnotmadefortheeos range.the40mmlookedgoodbuttoopriceyforme withrrpof 229forsomethingthatwassocloseto 50mm.NeverthelessIwastemptedbyitssmallsize. IwasunsurewhattodowiththeParkCamera vouchersihadbeengivenbyfriends.nowadaysi tendtobuylserieslensesbutthepricesmadesuch apurchaseunrealistic.ithoughtaboutanewbag, filters,otheraccessoriesbutiwantedtoget somethingmyfriendswouldunderstand,iwould use,enjoyandfindusefulinmyphotography.ialso feltthatithadtobesomethingiwouldnotnormally buyformyself.atallorderasialreadyhavepretty mucheverythingineed.theworldofphotographyis suchthattherearealwaysmoretoystobedesired andvariousmanufacturerstopersuadethatthese areessentialtomakeourimagesthatbitbetter. Itwasn tlongafteriwasgiventheparkcamera vouchersthatthepancakelenscametomindandi didsomeresearch.thetypicalshoppriceforthe 40mmwasabout 150-ParkCamerasweresellingit for 149.Thelensisasmall,lightprimelenswitha maximumapertureoff2.8.35mmhadalwaysbeena favouritefocallengthformeand40mmisclose enough.itisalsoclosefocusingonitsownandeven betterwiththeextensiontubeialreadyhad. Canonpromotesthelensashavinga portable pancakedesign, smooth,quietstmfocusingwhen shootingmoviesoncompatiblecameras, fastf/2.8 maximumapertureforlow-lightshooting, close focusto0.3m, fast,quietafforpin-sharpresults, greatimagequalityacrosstheframe. The Iris - Spring

34 Iwoulddefinitelyagreewithmostofthesebutonly fromaneverydayusepointofview.iamaphysicist bybackgroundandatonetimemyworkinvolved testinghighqualityreconnaissancelenses.the numbersareimportantbutthelensalsoneedstobe lookedatinthecontextofpracticaluse. Itissmall,lightandconvenientoutandaboutandI findthislensanabsolutejoy.outoffocus backgroundsdohaveapleasingblurorbokehto them.itispermanentlyattachedtomy5dmkii.asa fullframecamerawithhighresolutionitwouldfind anyweaknessesinthecorners;theredoesn tseemto beany.iuseitforhabitatphotography,smallgroup portraits,andindooranimalportraitsandexpectto makeuseofits64mmequivalentfocallengthonmy croppedsensor7d,asaportraitlens. Insummarythen,whoisitforandwouldI recommendittoafriend?itsforeveryoneandi certainlywouldrecommendit,particularlywithafullframecamera.iwouldbeinterestedtotryitwiththe smallerfull-framecanon6dbutitworksreallywell withmy5dmkii. IhaveincludedtwoshotsofSevenoaksWildlife Reservetakenwiththe40mmSTM,thevenueforthe FieldMeetingIamrunninginMay.Iwillcertainly haveitwithmeontheday. Sohowdoesitfitintotheworldofnature photography?ihavebackproblemsandwhen carryingmy500mm,cameraandtripodiwanted somethinghandytodosomehabitatshots.ican eitherjustputthelensinmypocketorasitissosmall oftentakeitonasecondbody.withafullframeand acroppedsensorthatthengivesmetheequivalentof a500mm,an800mm,a40mmanda64mm. Itisnotamacrolensbutithasgoodclosefocusing (0.3mgiving0.18life-sizemagnification).Putona 12mmtubethisgivesauseful0.50magnificationora 25mmtubewillgive0.88magnification.Therecan howeverbeissueswiththelenshoodgettingcloseto thesubjectandcausingshadows.onehot,summers dayitookitwithmewhenwalkingandhadno successwithbutterflieswhichflewawaybeforei couldgetcloseenoughforashot.iwasusingmyfullframecameraandacropsensormayhavedone better. Thesmallsizeandlowweightmakeitaeasytocarry anduse.the52mmfilterringstaysstationarywhen focusingwhichisusefulwithapolariserfitted.the smallfiltersizekeepscostsandweightdown.ididn t botherwiththeextracostoptionofthesmallplastic lenshood,preferringtouseacollapsiblerubberhood. Canonsaysitis idealforportrait,reportage,travel andlandscapephotography.iwouldagreewithallof thoseclaims.but,isitofanyusefornature photography?well,ihavecertainlyfoundituseful. Ilikeitonitsownwhenoutwalkingandhandholding isadream.icarryitinmypocketwhenihavemy70-200fittedtothecamera. Specification Size: Diameter: 68.2mm Length: 22.8mm Weight: 130g Filter: 52mmdiameter Lensconstruction: 6elements 4groups Diaphragmblades: 7 Maximumaperture: f2.8 Minimumaperture: f22 Closestfocusing: 0.3m Maximummagnification: 0.18 with12mmtube: with25mmtube: AFactuator: STM(steppermotor) RRP: 229 Typicalretailprice: 150approx 32 The Iris - Spring 2014

35 The Iris - Winter 2013

36 More of David Cantrille s images from Kruger N.P. Top: hammerkop on hippos head Centre: Lilac-breasted Roller taking off Bottom:Red-billed ground hornbill