What really inspired me at the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010 exhibition at London’s Natural History Museum, were the shots that were taken in ‘back yards’. As photographers, we are more than guilty of assuming that we need to travel to far flung destinations to get the most iconic, most incredible and scenic shots – often overlooking the beauty that is in our local areas / our back garden / our local countryside.
This shot of a Peacock Butterfly was taken at Blacktoft Sands, a local RSPB reserve. Whilst we were there to observe and photograph the birds, what I really enjoyed were the walks between the hides amongst head height thistles, grasses and reed beds which housed a harmony of small and beautiful insects. I was easily distracted by the butterflies flitting from plant to plant. I was mesmerised…
Moving from a rural house with a back garden in Scotland to a city centre flat in York rendered us without any garden / outdoor space, and I long for exposure to the frogs, bees and butterflies which I took for granted every summer when living in Scotland. Blacktoft Sands was the perfect opportunity to mix birding with butterflies.
This shot was taken with an Canon EOS 7D at 400mm, exposure 1/250 at f/5.6, ISO 100.
This image reminds me to always be vigilant of the smaller insects and creatures, and to make the most of what opportunities which lie in your very own back garden. That’s why it is my photo of the week.