07.07.18. After seeing reports of Purple Emperor at Monks Wood for the first time in decades I thought it was worth a punt having a look around Aversely a small wood on the outskirts of the village. It was a scorching hot day and being a lowland dweller now the trek up the incline to get there was a bit wearing. Having reached the main ride I welcomed the shade and as I approached the junction at the end i gazed about me and a large black butterfly flew up from a nearby bush and settled way up high in a tree, oh how frustrating, I have seen White Admiral in the wood many times but never in this location so I settled myself on a bench to wait it out. After some 20 minutes I thought I had imagined the whole thing but i had a sudden thought, there is Sallow by the pond just a few feet away and another bench I could continue my vigil. In fact I had barely sat down when another large black butterfly flew right under my nose, absolutely sure this time I had found my quarry I grabbed my camera in the hope of getting evidence. I had several fly by's, at one point 2 flew across the pond chased by a third, but nothing was landing near me in fact steadfastly staying at the far side if the pond and I only had my macro lens with me. At last one settled on the debris of the rather depleted water, could I get the evidence I desperately wanted? Well I gave it a go and until I got it on the computer I couldn't tell if I had manged to capture it at all. So here it is, a rather ropey pic of a Purple Emperor, and I did get some nice ones at Fermyn before this little adventure, but it is my favourite for all that.
