h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Some, most probably, butterflies are difficult - they flit off as soon as you get close. A tip I was given was to let them settle, start feeding, before getting close.

Nice pics, GB. I'm told your moth may be a Silver Y - but I'd get a second opinion!

I have found that if you cast a shadow on them they will open and close their wings but you have to be quick.

I have managed to get a few on my Flicker site http://www.flickr.com/photos/websailor/ and a few other wildlife specimens too

Websailor

I like the captions . I was reminded of your photos when I arrived at work yesterday to see a squirrel climbing the post of our smoking shelter into the hanging basket on the corner - I'm sure he thought there was food hidden in there. When he saw me, he took a fling leap onto an elder sapling much too small for him and crashed to the ground. Unhurt, of course, except for his dignity - he did look put out.

Lovely pictures, Webby

Thank you both Some of the photos are rubbish technically, but it is more important to me to catch 'moments'. Often through the window with a second's notice. I need a better zoom but beggar's can't be choosers

As a total novice I am actually quite pleased with some of them . A Dig. cam is ideal for an impatient, impoverished person like me

Squirrels never hurt themselves it seems to me. They seem to be made of rubber. They don't belong here and I would adore to have red squirrels instead, but they are so entertaining I would miss them.

Websailor

I haven't even attempted photographing birds but for butterflies, plants, fungi ... the digi camera is fantastic. Love seeing more in a photo than I can see with my own eyes.

Websailor, technicalities or not, I love the squirrel photos! Also the flowering heather!

Here's a photo of one of 'our' butterflies, a citrus swallowtail:

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/562799485TwynGA?start=24

I have other butterfly photos as well ... but they're 'hidden' somewhere amidst the thousands of other photos I have on my computer.

Thanks for the comments both.

Willem, you mean you don't file your photos in order !!!! so you can put your finger on just the one you want, like I do and if you believe that you will believe anything .

That butterfly is a stunner. I want my own photo of a Peacock butterfly, which I have had in my garden every year for as long as I have been here without a camera. Now I have a camera I haven't seen one this year at all

Websailor