Dispar
The Online Journal of Lepidoptera
ISSN 2056-9246
The Online Journal of Lepidoptera
ISSN 2056-9246
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by Andrew Fusek Peters.
A pictorial celebration of UK butterflies, this new title showcases moments rarely captured with such craft. Alongside his detailed photography, Andrew Fusek Peters describes the natural traits and challenges of each species he encounters, covered in dedicated chapters and ordered chronologically through the course of the year.
Andrew Fusek Peters is the author of over 100 books published in 17 languages around the world and is now a prolific photographer, having sold over 300 photos to national papers in the last six years, including being featured twice on the cover of the Times. His work has appeared in magazines such as BBC Wildlife, Country Life, Country Living, The Countryman, Amateur Photographer, Digital Camera, Birdwatch and on TV programmes such as BBC Springwatch. His previous title with Graffeg, Upland, is a celebration of his seven years on commission to the National Trust and Natural England, covering the Long Mynd and Stiperstones nature reserves.
I was recently asked if I had a photo of a butterfly in flight that could be used to show the manner in which take-off is achieved. Despite having an extensive photo library, I had to admit defeat and couldn’t even suggest another photographer. This has now all changed thanks to this luscious book by Andrew Fusek Peters, who seems to have defined a new genre in terms of ‘butterflies in flight’. Unsurprisingly, his photos have made the national press. His work is so unique that it has also come up in casual conversation with other butterfly enthusiasts on several occasions.
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The book is in a square ‘coffee table’ format that seems to be the trend when it comes to artistic works, allowing such a visual feast to be presented at its very best.
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The book is structured as a monthly diary, organised around the 58 species found in mainland Britain and their time of emergence, with the book taking four years to obtain the photos needed. The focus is very much on the imagery, with the species descriptions providing a personal narrative from the author on his encounters that are littered with anecdotes.
As one might expect from a book that is a photographic record, there are some stunning images. The take-off sequences often shows a butterfly in the context of its habitat, and I was particularly taken by those of the Glanville Fritillary on the Isle of Wight and the Duke of Burgundy at Rodborough Common. Unfortunately, some of the subjects are not in the best of condition although, I suppose, this does reflect the real world.
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There are also many spectacular closeups of eggs, scales, and parts of the adult butterfly such as their head and antennae, giving us a view of these delicate creatures that is rarely seen. There are also shots that are particularly artistic and technically challenging, such as a Marbled White with the moon as a backdrop, or a roosting Common Blue under a starlit sky.
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All in all, I see this book as a personal celebration of the butterfly’s beauty and one that we can all share in. Any butterfly photographers will be particularly inspired after reading this work.