dilettante
- dilettante
- Posts: 564
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- Location: Cambridge area
dilettante
Just back from a great couple of weeks in Devon and Cornwall for a family holiday.
This is the only Small Copper I've seen all year, rather sadly. This was near Sennen Cove / Land's End:
A rather tatty Grayling, one of two or three seen. This one was near Mên-an-Tol
I found Walls in a few places along the coast. This one was near Pendeen
Red Admirals were common everywhere. This rather fresh one was actually in the Cotswolds, where we'd stopped for a couple of nights to break the long journey home from Cornwall
This is the only Small Copper I've seen all year, rather sadly. This was near Sennen Cove / Land's End:
A rather tatty Grayling, one of two or three seen. This one was near Mên-an-Tol
I found Walls in a few places along the coast. This one was near Pendeen
Red Admirals were common everywhere. This rather fresh one was actually in the Cotswolds, where we'd stopped for a couple of nights to break the long journey home from Cornwall
Diary entries for 2016 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
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dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
Re: dilettante
A frightening statistic. Sadly, I think I've seen more Small Coppers during a day trip to the Isle of Man than I have all year on the mainland. Worrying stuff.dilettante wrote:This is the only Small Copper I've seen all year, rather sadly.
Diary entries for 2016 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: dilettante
I was worried too about the Small Coppers but I've seen them at four different sites recently so hopefully they're having a final surge - great shots as always dilattante
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Diary entries for 2016 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
- dilettante
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Re: dilettante
I hardly ever see Small Coppers near me in Cambs, so I'm not sure I can say they've declined, but it's a shame they're so hard to find.
Diary entries for 2016 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
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dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
- dilettante
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- Joined: Sun May 01, 2011 11:03 am
- Location: Cambridge area
dilettante
I went down to a local chalk pit reserve (Cherry Hinton East Pit) in the heat yesterday, hoping for a Clouded Yellow as they've turned up there before. No luck on that front, but I was pleased to see good numbers of Common Blues, which have been noticeably few and far between this year. Several active males, and females ovipositing. Some probable Brown Argus also, but I wasn't able to confirm.
Diary entries for 2016 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
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- dilettante
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- Joined: Sun May 01, 2011 11:03 am
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Re: dilettante
09-Mar-2017
Just to record my first sightings of the year: a Brimstone (possibly several), a Comma and a Small Tortoiseshell in Cherry Hinton nature reserve, Cambs at lunchtime in the sun, around 13 degC
Just to record my first sightings of the year: a Brimstone (possibly several), a Comma and a Small Tortoiseshell in Cherry Hinton nature reserve, Cambs at lunchtime in the sun, around 13 degC
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Re: dilettante
Off to a good start like most of us today, Dilettante.
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Re: dilettante
I could only match two of those Dilettante - it seems everyone's seen a Comma now except me
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
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- dilettante
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dilettante
Saturday 10th June 2017
I've not been able to do much butterflying so far this year due to having a new puppy taking up all our time. But yesterday I managed to get time to make a trip to Monk's Wood to look for Black Hairstreaks. As has been reported elsewhere, they're having a good year at this site and were in evidence at most suitable blackthorn bushes I looked at around the wood.
Of course they're not the most cooperative species when it comes to photography. These first two images were taken with the camera held at arm's length above my head:
Black Hairstreak, Monk's Wood, Cambs, 10-Jun-2017
A teasing glimpse of upperside:
Black Hairstreak, Monk's Wood, Cambs, 10-Jun-2017
This one was more obliging:
Black Hairstreak, Monk's Wood, Cambs, 10-Jun-2017
I also saw my first Ringlet of the year - beautifully fresh and chocolatey velvet, but unfortunately no photo. And as someone else reported seeing a fresh Comma, I saw this one which I like to think is its mother
Comma, Monk's Wood, Cambs, 10-Jun-2017
Also Large Skipper, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown. No whites at all as far as I recall.
I've not been able to do much butterflying so far this year due to having a new puppy taking up all our time. But yesterday I managed to get time to make a trip to Monk's Wood to look for Black Hairstreaks. As has been reported elsewhere, they're having a good year at this site and were in evidence at most suitable blackthorn bushes I looked at around the wood.
Of course they're not the most cooperative species when it comes to photography. These first two images were taken with the camera held at arm's length above my head:
Black Hairstreak, Monk's Wood, Cambs, 10-Jun-2017
A teasing glimpse of upperside:
Black Hairstreak, Monk's Wood, Cambs, 10-Jun-2017
This one was more obliging:
Black Hairstreak, Monk's Wood, Cambs, 10-Jun-2017
I also saw my first Ringlet of the year - beautifully fresh and chocolatey velvet, but unfortunately no photo. And as someone else reported seeing a fresh Comma, I saw this one which I like to think is its mother
Comma, Monk's Wood, Cambs, 10-Jun-2017
Also Large Skipper, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown. No whites at all as far as I recall.
Diary entries for 2017 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
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dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
Re: dilettante
Brilliant Black Hairstreak images, a species I have not seen yet.
Must put that right one day.
Trevor.
Must put that right one day.
Trevor.
Diary entries for 2017 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: dilettante
Fantastic stuff Dilettante, a species I've not encountered myself mostly because it's such a tricky one to see/photograph - but you've made it look easy
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Diary entries for 2017 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
- dilettante
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Re: dilettante
Thanks Trevor and Wurzel.
Diary entries for 2017 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
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dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
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Re: dilettante
You did better than I did with those Hairstreaks, partly my own fault for wandering off just when a female decided to pose but oh well, always next year
Diary entries for 2017 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Some addictions are good for the soul!
- dilettante
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- Joined: Sun May 01, 2011 11:03 am
- Location: Cambridge area
dilettante
Sunday 2nd July 2017
A trip to Therfield Heath to get my fix of Summer butterflies didn't disappoint: Marbled White, a few Chalkhill Blues, a handful of Dark Green Fritillaries, plus Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell.
Gatekeeper, Therfield Heath, Herts, 2-Jul-2017
Butterfly photography is less easy with my new furry companion!
While there I was given a tip-off about good numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary at a local wood so I took myself there in the afternoon.
Silver-washed Fritillary, Eversden, Cambs, 2-Jul-2017
Silver-washed Fritillary, Eversden, Cambs, 2-Jul-2017
Commas seem to be having a good year.
Comma, Eversden, Cambs, 2-Jul-2017
And here's a canonical Essex Skipper
Essex Skipper, Eversden, Cambs, 2-Jul-2017
A trip to Therfield Heath to get my fix of Summer butterflies didn't disappoint: Marbled White, a few Chalkhill Blues, a handful of Dark Green Fritillaries, plus Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Skipper, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell.
Gatekeeper, Therfield Heath, Herts, 2-Jul-2017
Butterfly photography is less easy with my new furry companion!
While there I was given a tip-off about good numbers of Silver-washed Fritillary at a local wood so I took myself there in the afternoon.
Silver-washed Fritillary, Eversden, Cambs, 2-Jul-2017
Silver-washed Fritillary, Eversden, Cambs, 2-Jul-2017
Commas seem to be having a good year.
Comma, Eversden, Cambs, 2-Jul-2017
And here's a canonical Essex Skipper
Essex Skipper, Eversden, Cambs, 2-Jul-2017
Diary entries for 2017 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
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dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
Re: dilettante
Lovely set of shots dilettante especially the classic Essex
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Diary entries for 2017 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
- dilettante
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Re: dilettante
Thanks Wurzel. I was pleased to confirm Essex Skippers on my doorstep while walking the dog this morning, and was happy with this phone picture:
Essex Skipper mating pair, Cambs, 7-Jul-2017
Essex Skipper mating pair, Cambs, 7-Jul-2017
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Re: dilettante
Love the shot of your new companion, your Essex skipper shots are good too Goldie
Diary entries for 2017 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
- dilettante
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dilettante
April 2018
Time to start my diary for 2018. After such a late start, it seems all of Spring has happened in a week. I didn't see my first butterfly until Saturday 13th April - a Brimstone in my South Cambs garden, closely followed by a Small Tortoiseshell
Wednesday 18th brought my first Holly Blue, as well as Peacock and Comma, in Cherry Hinton LNR on the edge of Cambridge.
Thursday 19th brought Orange Tip and Speckled Wood in the same location, as well as unidentified whites.
Today, Sunday 22nd, I went to Fleam Dyke, Fulbourn to look for Green Hairstreak. The scrub has been significantly cleared, and despite the heat it was quite breeezy so I wasn't too hopeful, but on my return journey after the sun had gone in and with a thunder storm looming, I found a single specimen:
Green Hairstreak, Fleam Dyke, Cambs, 22-Apr-2018
It's not particularly fresh-looking so must have been out for a day or two.
Time to start my diary for 2018. After such a late start, it seems all of Spring has happened in a week. I didn't see my first butterfly until Saturday 13th April - a Brimstone in my South Cambs garden, closely followed by a Small Tortoiseshell
Wednesday 18th brought my first Holly Blue, as well as Peacock and Comma, in Cherry Hinton LNR on the edge of Cambridge.
Thursday 19th brought Orange Tip and Speckled Wood in the same location, as well as unidentified whites.
Today, Sunday 22nd, I went to Fleam Dyke, Fulbourn to look for Green Hairstreak. The scrub has been significantly cleared, and despite the heat it was quite breeezy so I wasn't too hopeful, but on my return journey after the sun had gone in and with a thunder storm looming, I found a single specimen:
Green Hairstreak, Fleam Dyke, Cambs, 22-Apr-2018
It's not particularly fresh-looking so must have been out for a day or two.
Diary entries for 2018 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
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dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
dilettante's butterfly photos at pbase.com
Re: dilettante
It's been a bit of Green weekend Dilettante - those are cracking shots of the Green one
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Diary entries for 2018 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.
Re: dilettante
I can't improve on that, Dilettante. It just about sums things up.dilettante wrote:...After such a late start, it seems all of Spring has happened in a week....
We've had months and months of winter, no 'early' spring, and suddenly here we are expected to cope with 23c temperatures!!
No wonder rubi is making hay!
Diary entries for 2018 have been archived. If there are missing images in this post, then they can be found in this archive if one exists. All archives can be found here.