My wife and I are planning a trip to the eastern foothills of the Pyrenees and the Cévennes at the end of this month into July. Can anyone recommend good sites for butterflies? The last time we visited the Cévennes in May/June 1992 I was not as interested in butterflies and it rained torrentially. H...

I am thinking of going to Dorset one weekend in June to see Marsh Fritillaries. When is the best time to go and where should I go?

Thanks for all the contributions. It now makes identification much easier. Thanks particularly to Peter and Padfield.

Second photograph of the same butterfly.

"No trace of blue on either surface" is the exact quotation.
See photographs attached which are clearly a brown argus.

Richard Lewington ( whom I respect greatly) says in his book "Identifying Butterflies" that the brown argus has no trace of blue on either side. I saw and photographed yesterday a small brown and orange butterfly which is clearly a brown argus due to the double spots on the underside of th...

That is fine. I don't think there is often anything to choose between the best three photos each month.

Is it worth considering voting each month a first, second and third with 3,2 and 1 point for each. This is what is done on a weekly flickr website butterfly competition www.flickr.com/groups/butterflyblues . It may be complicating matters but sometimes the high quality of the photos makes it difficu...

Glanville Fritillary taken whilst roosting in a brisk breeze. Canon EOS 10D and Sigma 150 mm macro plus monopod.

Peacock sunbathing!

I would dearly have loved to be at the meeting but my mother-in-law's funeral was the day before and we had the whole family with us on the Saturday. I hope there will be a repeat workshop. I cannot wait to use my new Sigma 150mm macro lens to see if I can get a few more votes in the monthly competi...

Photographh of a small pearl-bordered fritillary on the cardigan of my wife taken in 2005. This is one of the rarest butterflies of the Isle of Wight.

What is the black admiral?

Just thought it would be interesting to pose the question " what makes a winning image?" Is it the level of difficulty in taking the photo? or the rarity of the subject? or the fact that my mate took this one? or the technical quality and pictorial interest of the photo? or some undefinabl...

Really helpful comments. Thanks so much!

Some of these were seen puddling at a stream in the Pyrenees in early September, others were in the Lot valley or higher in the Pyrenees. http://www.postimage.org/aVYHHy9.jpg http://www.postimage.org/aVYI2_r.jpg http://www.postimage.org/aVYIur0.jpg http://www.postimage.org/aVYJ9Qr.jpg http://www.pos...

Yes I think you are right. Thanks.

Has anyone any idea what this is?