Ten out of ten. Roger.

My first encounter with the Mallow Skipper ( Carcharodus alceae) was at the Nature Reserve of Moëze-Oléron, Charente-Maritime, a new and exciting butterfly that set me off on an adventure, the subtle colours and ragged looking edges gives it a special appeal that I cannot explain, the Mallow Skipper...

Ho Ho Ho David you have pulled a flanker on your choice of  subject, not sure I can find ten Skippers that I have confidence in having correctly identified  , but never the less I will give it a go.  Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) a busy little Skipper this one is demonstrating its gymnastic ...

My wife and I escaped to Shapwick NNR yesterday , all within the rules let me add. It was a strange feeling of having landed in some foreign land after spending so much time acting the life of a recluse. The Neolithic Sweet track one of our favourite walks, was deserted, JUN_4735 Osmunda regalis.jpg...

Moth for ID, Shapwick Moor NNR, Somerset. thank you in advance. https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com

Twin-spot Fritillary (Brenthis hecate) my location for hecate is situated in the department of Lot, after we left our very rustic but peaceful campsite, a butterfly paradise, the neighbouring paddocks were alive with many species, Following my comments and enthusiastic interest in the butterfies aro...

First walk out this morning since lock down ,a  female Orange tip obligingly posed for the camera. https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

A trip to Lincolnshire will have to be made then, don't no when. Thanks Pete.

Hi Pete. The Marsh Fritillary. I had intended to use the Marsh fritillary in my top ten,  but seeing your contribution Pete I am now happy that I left the floor to you,  Numbers one, seven and eight are wonderful examples from natures design bureau,  are these from the UK ? The others that I agonise...

You guys have given my a moral boost, I do hope others feel the same. Now for my last four, I don't intend to rate them, just to have see them has given me great pleasure , but having said that the last four are by any standard rather special. Spanish Fritillary (Euphydryas desfontainii) this pictur...

Niobe Fritillary (Argynnis niobe) Photos taken on a visit to  Molines -en-Champsaur. and La Chapelle-en-Valgaudémar where I have found them on every visit, their appeal to me is the soft pastel shades of the under wing colours, JUN_9374 Niobe Fritillary (Argynnis niobe).jpg Niobe Fritillary (Argynni...

You may well be in for a surprise David, of the 32 French fritillary listed on Mr Gibbons excellent site, my tally so far has been 29 of those on his list, never the less choosing ten was not at all easy, I have changed my mind several times, I hope I have managed some interesting species that will ...

Fritillaries for lockdown viewers. The Queen of Spain Fritillary (Issoria lathonia) I am tempted to say this is truly a Queen amongst Fritillaries I would even venture further and say that Issoria lathonia is my favourite butterfly, the silver medallions on the under wing gives it an exotic appearan...

Fritillaries
Sounds like a challenge Roger, I will make a start on the Fritillaries.
I guess I shall have to give up on Iolas Blue (Iolana iolas) but hope springs eternal

Hi Guy, The Iolas blue was to have been my number one target species this year, I had two sites in the Rhone valley lined up and another in the Vaucluse, now its unlikely I shall get another chance, but who knows I may be fit for another chance next year, fingers crossed. Hi Pete and the Meleager's ...

The last four were challenging, what to include ? The Gavarnie Blue, (Plebejus pyrenaicus) finding it proved not to be as much as a challenge as the drive up a very steep narrow mountain road in our camper van, no further explanation  !!. Agriades pyrenaicus.jpg The Ripart's Anomalous Blue (Polyomma...

The Furry Blue  is one of the more difficult species to find, I was lucky to find a colony whilst stopping for a lunch break at a layby parking off the beaten track near Apt, Vaucluse. Furry Blue (Polyommatus dolus).jpg The Holly blue, on the wing at the moment, I find this species very tricky it's ...

Hi Pete , I was thinking along similar lines, my top ten favourite butterflies , you piped me to the post, I shall not attempt to rate mine one to ten , they all have a special place for different reasons as I discovered new species on my journey of discovery, so here goes. Adonis Blue (Polyommatus ...

Yesterdays surprise, a Holly Blue puddling were the water sprinkler had moistened the ground.
record shot. https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

Humming bird Hawk- moth in my Garden , 1730 pm. Earliest sighting 2 April 2017 no photo but tomorrow perhaps.