cecropia117 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 23, 2023 10:21 pm My favourite picture of the year.

Taken in a damp Cote-d'Or woodland ride in June this year.

Fantastic location to get eyeballed by a mint fresh DGF!

I would say David that you did well to find and get close to christi . In my limited experience on the Canary Islands (2 trips to Tenerife and 2 to La Palma) I can count my encounters with this endemic on one hand - always singletons, and quite lively, unlike your co-operative example. It's by no me...

Cracking stuff David! There's nothing quite like a last-minute hastily arranged trip to warmer climes to raise the spirits markedly. I do hope you manage to connect with the Canary Blue also during your days out there. Look forward to the next instalment..

My favourite Small Heath photo from last year was taken on Lincoln's south common towards the end of August - a minor aberration, ab.biocellata - reasonably fresh and nicely marked.

I am with Roger on the Large Wall Brown - the variation in size of the h/w ocelli looks quite convincing, those in S2,3 and 6 looking appreciably larger.

Continuing with the slightly aberrant, two examples of 9-spotted Ringlets, ab.novem luscus , one of them also showing a hint of the lanceolate on one of the hindwing spots. Both central Lincolnshire - the fresher one taken 30th June (slightly blurred head - couldn't get perpendicular to it before it...

As if Erebias weren't tricky enough already

Like you David I have no experience (yet ) of Fenton's Wood White, so am also unsure. I am trying to convince myself that there is a hint of the falcate about the forewing tip as indicated below, but it's a bit tenuous...

Such a photogenic species, and a true harbinger of springtime. It's always difficult not to photograph an Orange-tip when the opportunity arises. I didn't photograph many in 2022 but my fave was this female.

Nice, Andy - I am mildly envious!

This is a species that I always overlook when it comes to photography. I have made an early New Year's Resolution to pay more attention to the commoner species this year. The female underside, when viewed up close, is actually quite intricately marked and rather attractive for what is at first glanc...

This will be very interesting! False Apollo is a sensational butterfly and there are many others of great interest from this part of Europe. Looking forward to David's account.

Happy Christmas and a fruitful New Year to everyone on UKB! I have recently added a few of this year's new photographs to my website. There are a small number of additional images on the France and Spain pages, plus a somewhat larger additional clutch on my Costa Rica page, complete with brief notes...

Fantastic stuff Steve! Really enjoyed that, and it is notable that there is a lot of cross-over between the species that you saw, and those that we found in Costa Rica recently. Like David - I am completely in awe of your Fine-lined Stripe-streak. What an absolute belter of a butterfly :mrgreen: :mr...

Wonderful reviews. I recognised a small number from a long ago trip to Florida. Out of interest what field guide did you use for the butterflies? Thanks aeshna. I used Jeffrey Glassberg's "A Swift Guide to Butterflies of Mexico and Central America" for initial ID, followed up by cross-ref...

Brilliant report, Pete - many thanks. Took me back to my visit a few years back. One could easily spend a couple of years there if circumstances allowed! Did you have any trouble with your camera seizing up due to the humidity? I twice had to spend a couple of hours with my wife's hairdryer to get ...

Super stuff Pete - what a thrill to explore such a place! I recognise many species from the butterfly house, but would particularly enjoy seeing the crackers in the wild. Thanks for taking the time to write it up - a very enjoyable read. Thanks Benjamin. The Crackers are great! They must be the onl...

Stevieb wrote: ↑Wed Dec 07, 2022 5:43 pm Outstanding stuff Pete. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Lots of for the Clearwings.

Thanks Stevie - glad you enjoyed it! The Clearwings really were magical.

PART FOUR Butterflying in Europe is a very special part of my life. Many of my best memories and experiences are of spending time out in the field with European species, in habitats that are, particularly from a UK perspective, fabulously rich and rewarding. I know that I am in the company of many ...

PART THREE Hiring a car for three days gave us the freedom to do a bit of travelling by ourselves, unconstrained by official tour timetables, guides and itineraries. There are many things to like about Costa Rica. The peoples’ love of and pride in their natural world ranks right up at the top for m...