Smooth operator and 24 legs

[Who's_E]

I'm back from my travels but the most interesting photo opportunities are in the UK!

A quick trip to Lulworth Cove revealed some interesting wildlife. Please can somebody identify the beetles.

All shot with 12-60mm, the adder with the EC-14 (I wasn't expecting to see adders, hence no 50-200!)

Adder, cropped



Not sure, please can someone help as they look quite smart!



Latticed Heath Moths - out of focus, I admit


Thanks for looking,

Nick

[angelpaaul]

Re: Smooth operator and 24 legs

Hi Nick

I think the beetles in photo two are soldier beetles. Try this -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_red_soldier_beetle

Regards - Paul

[Who's_E]

Re: Smooth operator and 24 legs

Thanks Paul,

From the article I appear to have caught them in character!

Nick

[tlove]

Re: Smooth operator and 24 legs

Lovely picture of an Adder, Nick - never seen one in the wild myself.

As you said, a typical 'pose' for Soldier Beetles too (trying to photograph one on it's own is a devil of a job !).

Please don't think I'm being picky (I'm not, honest!), but I think your last picture is of a pair of Marbled White butterflies - but heck, it's a lovely picture anyway!

Thanks for sharing.

Thea

[Who's_E]

Re: Smooth operator and 24 legs

It was quite amazing. I moved off a path to get a better landscape view of the Cove and nearly trod on a huge adder - about 2" thick and very large. I faffed with the EC14 (to keep my distance!) and missed it but my girlfriend managed a snapshot.

The next day we found two medium adders on the same grassy bank. I guess they were basking as far as possible from people.

Thanks for the correction on the butterflies - no problems there.

Nick