In 1993 I was delighted to be chosen as the U.K Butterfly Photographer of the Year by Butterfly Conservation for my photograph titled 'Silver Spotted Skippers resting'.
On the day that I took the photograph I had a very early morning start of about 4 a.m. From my home I drove 200 miles South to Hampshire and visited Selbourne Common and Noar Hill where I was hoping to see my first ever Brown Hairstreaks. I wasn't disappointed and after some great close up views of Brown Hairstreaks nectaring on Hemp Agrimony, I left there very tired and happy at around midday. As I drove the long journey home fatigue began to set in but I couldn't help thinking about seeing more butterflies. As I drove down the M40 a last second snap decision made me turn off to visit the nature reserve of Aston Rowant to see if the Silver Spotted Skippers had emerged. After a few minutes of walking on the steep slopes of the flower rich chalk grassland I began to see Silver Spotted Skippers all around. The weather was ideal for butterfly photography and I managed to take my special award winning picture. Here is that picture;