Lee Hurrell

[Lee Hurrell]

Thanks, David. They are majestic to watch. You'll know when you see one

Best wishes,
Lee

[Lee Hurrell]

Rounding off August 2016 at Denbies

Second brood Adonis were evident at Denbies Hillside in Surrey at the end of August 2016. Seen this evening were: Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Meadow Brown and Small Heath.

Adonis Blue, female, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 29th August 2016

Adonis Blue, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 29th August 2016

Small Heath, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 29th August 2016

Green Woodpecker, juvenile, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 29th August 2016

[Wurzel]

Lovely glowing shots Lee Hopefully your filling your boots with first generation Adonis at the moment Interesting looking Small Heath - I've seen them with and without spots but not with little streaks

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

I really like that back-lit image of the Small Heath, Lee. I'm assuming it was taken in the early evening?

[Lee Hurrell]

Thanks, both. I do love sunset butterflying

The Small Heath does have nice little streaks, doesn't it?
The photo was taken at 19.45, David.

Best wishes,
Lee

[Lee Hurrell]

Last Hurrah for Lingfield

An afternoon at Lingfield Nature Reserve resulted in Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Large White, Small White and a Red Admiral.

Speckled Wood, male, Lingfield Nature Reserve, Surrey, 11th September 2016

Speckled Wood, male, Lingfield Nature Reserve, Surrey, 11th September 2016

Speckled Wood, male, Lingfield Nature Reserve, Surrey, 11th September 2016

Speckled Wood, male, Lingfield Nature Reserve, Surrey, 11th September 2016

Speckled Wood, male, Lingfield Nature Reserve, Surrey, 11th September 2016

Speckled Wood, male, Lingfield Nature Reserve, Surrey, 11th September 2016

[Lee Hurrell]

Autumn delights at Sheepleas

Sheepleas Nettle Meadow in Surrey is always a great place for Nymphalids, so I am frequently there at the beginning and toward the end of the season.

25th September 2016 was no different: I saw 7 Red Admiral, 2 Comma and a male Green-veined White.

Comma, Sheepleas, Surrey, 25th September 2016

[Wurzel]

Great set of Specklies Lee, especially number 4, that's a member of the 'I wish I'd taken that one' club

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

The photo was taken at 19.45, David.

I would never think of looking for butterflies at that hour, Lee. Just shows what I'm missing I suppose.

[Lee Hurrell]

Thanks, Wurzel. Speckled Wood is a rather photogenic butterfly at times!

David, for those few short weeks, when it is warm and sunny enough, it's quite literally a golden hour for photos.

Best wishes,
Lee

[Lee Hurrell]

2017 gets underway

Early season warm sunshine can only mean one place - Sheepleas. 25th March 2017 gave me a full house of hibernators as well as a Holly Blue.

Small Tortoiseshell, Sheepleas, Surrey, 25th March 2017

Dark-edged Bee-fly, (Bombylius major), Sheepleas, Surrey, 25th March 2017

Brimstone, male, Sheepleas, Surrey, 25th March 2017

Brimstone, male, Sheepleas, Surrey, 25th March 2017

Comma, Sheepleas, Surrey, 25th March 2017

The next day I explored a new site near home, Grant Moors Path in Farnborough. It's a lovely path with a patchwork of habitats along the Blackwater River, adjacent to the A331. I would return to visit here many times.

Comma, Grant Moors Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 26th March 2017

Comma, Grant Moors Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 26th March 2017

Red Admiral, female, Grant Moors Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 26th March 2017

I ventured over the border into Surrey and found another Comma.

Comma, Frimley Green, Surrey, 26th March 2017

[Wurzel]

That is a flipping brilliant close up shot of the Brismtone Lee absolutely cracking Up close they do have something of a Punk look going on

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Lee Hurrell]

That is a flipping brilliant close up shot of the Brimstone Lee absolutely cracking

Thanks, Wurzel. I was particularly happy with how that one came out I actually have it on my wall! I also have a similar one coming up for April

Best wishes,
Lee

[Lee Hurrell]

A gorgeous day in early April and a visit to Denbies Hillside in Surrey.

Along with my spring officially starting with a male and a female Orange Tip, I saw plenty of Brimstones, Peacocks and Small Tortoiseshells.

Brimstone, male, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 2nd April 2017

Peacock, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 2nd April 2017

Peacock, hindwing and abdomen detail, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 2nd April 2017

Small Tortoiseshell, Denbies Hillside, Surrey, 2nd April 2017

[Goldie M]

Lovely shots Lee, lets hope the weather picks up soon and we see more Butterflies Goldie

[Wurzel]

That is another great Brimstone closeup Lee Also really like the large blue triangles on the Small tort - really makes it stand out

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Lee Hurrell]

Thank you both!

Best wishes,
Lee

[Lee Hurrell]

More from Grants Moor Path

Quickly becoming my favourite local site, I returned to Grants Moor Path, near Farnborough North station. Here, I saw Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Orange Tip, Comma and Peacock.

Holly Blue, male, Grants Moor Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 8th April 2017

Speckled Wood, male, Grants Moor Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 8th April 2017

Speckled Wood, male, Grants Moor Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 8th April 2017

Large Red Damselfly, female, Grants Moor Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 8th April 2017

Robin, Grants Moor Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 8th April 2017

Brimstone, male, Grants Moor Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 8th April 2017

Brimstone, female, Grants Moor Path, Farnborough, Hampshire, 8th April 2017

Moving on to Dawney's Hill, near Pirbright, I found this beautiful little micro moth on the gorse flowers along with Orange Tip, Brimstone, Peacock, Speckled Wood and Holly Blue.

Unknown micro moth, Dawney's Hill, Surrey, 8th April 2017

[Wurzel]

That Holly Blue is a Dave Miller special Lee Cracking Brimstone as well - the male is gurt lush

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

That's an interesting close up of the male Brimstone, Lee. Their antennae are quite unusual, I find. They are quite short and a lovely, rust colour and the eyes are quite dark, something that your image shows very well.