Thanks for your kind comments. I prefer Ian's glad eye!

In 2014, my wife and I joined a group visit to Cuba to meet the Fairtrade producers. We had a fantastic time including several nature trips when we saw various birds and butterflies. The world's smallest bird, the bee hummingbird, was a highlight. One of the butterflies I photographed was what I tho...

The large whites are particularly impressive at the moment.

Two gatekeepers seen today.Is one an aberration or just worn?

According to the ID guides chalk hill blues have an average wingspan of 38 mm. I found one on Monday which was less than 20mm, fully formed in perfect condition. A dwarf chalk hill blue!

Does anyone know the largest number of chalk hill blue butterflies ever recorded on Arreton Down on the Isle of Wight? There were 50,000 estimated on 10 August 2013. I think there may be more at the moment.

I have posted a couple of videos of chalk hill blues from this afternoon at www.flickr.com/photos/lepreskil
There are also some more photos of them there.

Amazing number of chalk hill blue butterflies on Arreton Down Isle of Wight today. They rose like confetti when walking through the grass. Tens of thousands in my estimate. Incredible natural history experience. Sounds positively amazing, Ian. I'll never forget visiting Aston Rowant in 2013 when th...

Amazing number of chalk hill blue butterflies on Arreton Down Isle of Wight today. They rose like confetti when walking through the grass. Tens of thousands in my estimate. Incredible natural history experience. Photos to follow. :D :D Great to hear Ian! Arreton Down used to be one of my favourite ...

Amazing number of chalk hill blue butterflies on Arreton Down Isle of Wight today. They rose like confetti when walking through the grass. Tens of thousands in my estimate. Incredible natural history experience. Photos to follow.

I managed a photo of a purple hairstreak yesterday in woodland together with one of my favourites,a fresh peacock.

Thanks Guy.

I was looking for photos of purple emperors on flickr and came up with this photo entitled "tawny emperor butterflies on milkweed". They look more like fritillaries but can anyone help me?

I was very fortunate today to find a perfect condition silver-washed fritillary form valezina which stayed around for me to photograph. I have seen this form several times before but never in such good condition and never so willing to be photographed. Lovely photos Ian, a perfect specimen. Thank y...

I was very fortunate today to find a perfect condition silver-washed fritillary form valezina which stayed around for me to photograph. I have seen this form several times before but never in such good condition and never so willing to be photographed. Fabulous, Ian. What a beautiful specimen! Than...

I was very fortunate today to find a perfect condition silver-washed fritillary form valezina which stayed around for me to photograph.
I have seen this form several times before but never in such good condition and never so willing to be photographed.

I've been glimpsing male white-letter hairstreaks in the canopy of our local elms for about 10 days. They always seem to settle out of sight, even though I point and shoot at 60x zoom whenever I see one - never anything in the picture. Then today, one such point and shoot bore fruit: https://www.gu...

Two commas seen today in woodland near home on the Isle of Wight. Is either the hutchisoni form? One seemed more pale orange than the other. The first one certainly looks like it Ian. Not so sure about the second due to the angle but it looks more like the normal summer form to me. Cheers, Neil. Th...

Two commas seen today in woodland near home on the Isle of Wight. Is either the hutchisoni form? One seemed more pale orange than the other. The first is also in the process of laying an egg - so further confirmation that this is a hutchinsoni individual! I agree that the second looks like the norm...

Two commas seen today in woodland near home on the Isle of Wight. Is either the hutchisoni form? One seemed more pale orange than the other.