Vanessids

[SmartWombat]

Almost the full set now, in two weekends.
Just the Camberwell Beauty (occassional migrant) and Large Tortoiseshell (rare migrant) and I've never seen either of those anywhere.
With the advent of Dutch Elm disease, one of its main foodplants has pretty much vanished form the landscape so I don't expect to see Large Tortoiseshell here - Kent perhaps.

#1, 2 Painted Lady
#3 Peacock
#4 a bonus - SIlver Y (moth)

[SmartWombat]

One more, the Red Admiral.
Leke the Peacock, the females of these are amazing as you can hear them fly past.
Relatively large and strong flying, all the Vanessids are capable of flying and feeding on windy days where other butterflies are passengers on the wind.

[paulnj]

Wow, you have been busy and have a grwat collection here! Dutch elm disease is there too, wow ! Dutch elm is wiping out elms everywhere hear too.

[Bevb]

Great series Smartwombat! especially like the painted ladies.
What lense do you use for this type of work?

Can you give any advise on buying lenses/equip abroad, as they are so much cheaper, especially US, Paulnj has helped by giving me a US company that ships worldwide, but obviously there is high shipping costs and probably tax, but thats ok if it still works out well, i am considering getting a bigger lense and am now starting to look around. Thanks.

[SmartWombat]

I've been using the 70-200 at first.
Next few are with the 100-400 which gives me more distance, and allows me to use the 580EX.

Remember there is no warranty service on lenses bought abroad.
Unless they happen to be UK stock, which is pretty unlikely.
It may be different with CPS membership, I haven't asked.

If it's shipped to you, then there is a good change you'll have to pay import duty and VAT on top of the price. Assuming that it gets inspected on the way into the UK.
Also when filling in the CN22 customs declaration a value of $1200 cries out "steal me" on the way to your house.
So it has to be shipped insured, and preferably signed for on delivery.

By far the best idea is to fly out, have a holiday, and buy it while you're there
Then you can carry it back with the rest of your gear.

[SmartWombat]

I've been using the 70-200 at first.
Next few are with the 100-400 which gives me more distance, and allows me to use the 580EX.

#1 looks like an Oak Bsuh-cricket, but on buddleia ?
#2 Red Admiral - finally a good upperwing shot
#3 Peacock
#4 Common field grasshopper


and on the other question...

Remember there is no warranty service on lenses bought abroad.
Unless they happen to be UK stock, which is pretty unlikely.
It may be different with CPS membership, I haven't asked.

If it's shipped to you, then there is a good change you'll have to pay import duty and VAT on top of the price. Assuming that it gets inspected on the way into the UK.
Also when filling in the CN22 customs declaration a value of $1200 cries out "steal me" on the way to your house.
So it has to be shipped insured, and preferably signed for on delivery.

By far the best idea is to fly out, have a holiday, and buy it while you're there
Then you can carry it back with the rest of your gear.

[Bevb]

I've been using the 70-200 at first.
Next few are with the 100-400 which gives me more distance, and allows me to use the 580EX.

Remember there is no warranty service on lenses bought abroad.
Unless they happen to be UK stock, which is pretty unlikely.
It may be different with CPS membership, I haven't asked.

If it's shipped to you, then there is a good change you'll have to pay import duty and VAT on top of the price. Assuming that it gets inspected on the way into the UK.
Also when filling in the CN22 customs declaration a value of $1200 cries out "steal me" on the way to your house.
So it has to be shipped insured, and preferably signed for on delivery.

By far the best idea is to fly out, have a holiday, and buy it while you're there
Then you can carry it back with the rest of your gear.

Thanks Paul for info, sound advice.

Only downfall to this is i can just about afford the lense, let alone a holiday!!