Another
Tabanus sudeticus or Dark Behemothic Horsefly turned up at the apartment but a decent picture eluded me (again)
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
. I still had some time to explore so I drove over to the Hochgratbahn cable-car station to see if I could find myself another Purple Emperor along the WeiBach river. As is often the case, encounters like this are not repeated but nevertheless there were butterflies to see. Noticeable were the Brimstones which were attracted to a white flowering thistle-like plant I’ve yet to find the name of.
The woodland path ran alongside the small WeiBach river with its stony bed created a very tranquil atmosphere. I went looking for and found a gap in the trees to get to the water’s edge and after doing so encountered another species: a White Admiral
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
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As is often the case with the White Admirals I find this one had chunks out of its wings probably the result of feeding on bramble flower?
![C 2018.07.29 P1100070 WeiBach river, Lazenbach, Steibis, Oberstaufen.jpg (1.2 MiB) Viewed 944 times WeiBach river](./files/thumb_10062_06b250a2001e5299e0e2ae268535b692)
- WeiBach river
I ventured further along the track which climbed up away from the river into denser woodland with the occasional clearing. On the way big orange Silver-washed Fritillaries zoomed and glided occasionally going to ground which helped me get this next shot.
The woodland walk reminded me of the woods here in the South-east with Silver-washed and the occasional White Admiral but the next one in a partial clearing was a real surprise another Erebia species but which one? Checking up later I soon had it identified as Erebia ligea or Arran Brown, another lifer
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
. Getting a decent photo as it moved from shade to sunlight with strong shadows cast proved difficult but it was an enjoyable challenge on a nice example.
Soon after I spotted a small butterfly flying amongst the tree branches out of reach. It looked like a Hairstreak but I couldn’t say which one. My only chance of a shot was using the low quality but good reach FZ-72. I’m 95% certain this is a White-letter Hairstreak
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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The woodland raspberries provided a welcome little snack
And another moth. Spotted in the woodland shade and photographed … and another lifer
Colostygia olivata the Beech Green Carpet
![M 2018.07.29 IMG_6531 Colostygia olivata, Beech Green Carpet, Woodland walk, WeiBach river t m.jpg (773.85 KiB) Viewed 944 times beech green carpet](./files/thumb_10062_0152d3514aa45c081d0f0ce44f99d79e)
- beech green carpet
The next butterfly, a Green-veined White was a rather unusual looking I think? It seems to have eye-spot in the forewing cell and S2 of the hindwing. Perhaps this is rain damage
The track continued downwards and converged with the river by a bridge. By the bridge downstream was an enticing natural swimming-pool in the river. Near the bridge was a deserted farmhouse/barn where there were clumps of wild flowers providing nectar for Silver-washed Fritllaries and Brimstone.
Across the river was a recently grazed grass field with the usual suspects: Meadow Brown; Common Blue and a courting pair of well-worn 'Small Skipper'
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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The Silver-washed pre-occupied with taking nectar were relatively easy to get close to …. the natural light reflecting off the underside scales to provide the gorgeous “silver” (and old gold too)
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
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Looking back over the whole holiday, Silver-washed Fritillaries was the most numerous species seen.
The Silver-washed were a delight but time was getting on and I had to make my way back taking in another White admiral and then an obliging Comma (near to the spot I’d seen the Emperor and Wood White) my second Ringlet (struggling to cling on to a blade of grass), and a Common Blue
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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![W 2018.07.29 IMG_6624 Polyommatus icaurs, Common Blue (male), WeiBach river walk, Hochgrat, Oberstaufen t i.jpg (1.06 MiB) Viewed 944 times Another closed-wing jobby. Common Blues whilst common were a rare site open-wing](./files/thumb_10062_6ab3cc278d8e6e33424eb54d77f0e6fd)
- Another closed-wing jobby. Common Blues whilst common were a rare site open-wing
My species count had increased by another three with White Admiral; Arran Brown and White-letter Hairstreak.
Meadow Brown; Small Heath; Gatekeeper; Common Blue; Small White; Mazarine Blue (L); Green-veined White; Swallowtail; Silver-washed Fritillary; Marbled White; Small Skipper; Sooty Copper; Silver-spotted Skipper; Essex Skipper; Map; Ringlet; Comma; Niobe fritillary (L); High Brown Fritillary (L); Holly Blue; Mountain Clouded Yellow (L); Small tortoiseshell; Red Admiral; Large Wall Brown (L); Yellow-spotted Ringlet (L); Dusky Grizzled Skipper (L); Painted Lady; Peacock; Brimstone; Purple Emperor; Wood White; Speckled Wood; White Admiral; Arran Brown (L) and White-letter Hairstreak
= 35 species of which 8 potentially lifers. (Pyrgus Skipper subject to review)
Phil