Category Archives: Close Up

Red Admiral Butterfly In The Garden

It’s been a while since I got a photo of a butterfly. One of the early ideas for this blog was to take photos of all butterflies found in Ireland. The idea is still there but I have widened the scope to include general nature, lifestyle and some work related posts. Anyway, this butterfly has got me back on track.

Today was a nice summer day and I was sitting outside having my lunch in the garden when this chap caught my eye. I thought about running for the camera and decided against it and continued with my cup of tea. However the butterfly stayed for a good while on one set of flowers on the bush then moved to another. With that I ran for the camera and the butterfly was still there when I got back, phew!

I have decided that it is a Red Admiral. More info about butterflies can be found here on the butterfly-conservation.org website.

Sea Campion

The full moon must be casting it’s magic on the tides as the walkway to Hare Island was more exposed than I have ever seen. Took a brisk stroll out to the island to take a peek. I didn’t stay long for fear of the tide coming back in. While I was there I took a photo of an interesting and attractive wild flower I now know to be Sea Campion.

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Grey Heron visits The Claddagh on the Corrib River, Galway

I have tried to get a photo of the Grey Heron in and around the Galway coast on a fair few occasions. They were either too far away or flew off the minute I got the camera out. Last week however things were a little different. It was one of the first nice spring days of the year and I had lunch down by the Spanish Arch overlooking the Corrib. I decided to cycle back to work the scenic route via The Claddagh. This chap was just sitting on top of a car cool as you like. I guess he was doing the same as me, enjoying the nice day and the river view and who can blame him. The Heron was decent enough to pose for a mobile phone pic. Who needs to go on a photo trip to see nature close up when all you have to do is head for town.

Great black-backed gull

Kilmore Quay – Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull

Kilmore Quay Co. County Wexford is a favourite summer day trip. On my last visit I snapped these gulls hovering around the fishing boats. I find it tricky to identify gulls but I think I may have got these guys right. The book says that the Great Black-backed Gull is the largest of our gulls and these guys were big. It is a lovely spot to wander around and for a spot of refreshment and a bite to eat you could not do better than Kehoe’s Pub. The Saltee Islands are off the Kilmore Quay coast and during the summer you can take a trip around the Islands. It really is a stunning trip to take – like watching wildlife a documentary, but it is real and right on our own doorstep here in Ireland. You might even see a puffin or two if you are lucky.