Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops)
Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops)

I have to say that this was one of the most difficult of butterflies to photo that I have ever tried. It just never stays still even when it was cloudy or raining!

It took nearly 2 weeks to find a specimen that would stay still long enough to even be able to identify it.

The problem with it being a damp moorland butterfly is that when you stop, you get eaten alive by midge and clegs and after this photo I was covered in midge/clegs and had to walk non-stop for nearly 30 mins to get away from them... They swarm around your head and are about the size of a pinhead, with the bite of a tiger. Midge are more annoying than anything else and wet areas and sweaty foreheads are their favourite targets...

Ref: img 9572

Location: Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Photographer: Emma Taylor

Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops)

I have to say that this was one of the most difficult of butterflies to photo that I have ever tried. It just never stays still even when it was cloudy or raining!

It took nearly 2 weeks to find a specimen that would stay still long enough to even be able to identify it.

The problem with it being a damp moorland butterfly is that when you stop, you get eaten alive by midge and clegs and after this photo I was covered in midge/clegs and had to walk non-stop for nearly 30 mins to get away from them... They swarm around your head and are about the size of a pinhead, with the bite of a tiger. Midge are more annoying than anything else and wet areas and sweaty foreheads are their favourite targets...

Ref: img 9572

Location: Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Photographer: Emma Taylor