Katrina

[Katrina]

Thanks everyone it was good to see even though it only stayed still for a short time.
I went back today about lunchtime but didn’t see any. It was good to catch up with Trevor, Pauline, Colin and others though.

[trevor]

It was good to see you today as well, despite the lack of success with the LTB.
I think the weather was wrong. Cool, dry air, with a constant cool breeze.
Even though it was bright and sunny, I was not optimistic as I walked to the site.

Never mind, there's still time,
Trevor.

[Katrina]

I was back in Scotland for a wedding this weekend but managed a quick trip to Greenbank Garden to look for butterflies. The weather was good. It was hard to know numbers as they were moving around but approx 10 Red Admirals, 4 Peacocks and 2 Painted Ladies were seen. Also seen was a parakeet.
Later that night the Bride and Groom danced to September by Earth, Wind and Fire "Do you remember the 21st night of September?"

[Wurzel]

Great Painted Ladies Katrina. I saw the first one and thought - that's a cracking shot and then you followed it up with the Peacock and then "POW" the Hoverfly shot nearly blew my retinas

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

I'm assuming that's some form of buddleia, Katrina, although it's not one I've seen before.

Likewise, I'm unfamiliar with the blue flower the hoverfly is perched on, but it makes for a particularly attractive image.

[trevor]

I have to agree with Wurzel, your Hoverfly image is a bit of an assault on the eye's
( in the nicest possible way! ), very striking.

Trevor.
PS. The LTB's played ball on Monday, at Whitehawk.

[Katrina]

Thanks Wurzel, David and Trevor. I have no idea what the flowers were but they were attracting the insects.

[Katrina]

Yesterday I went to Highdown Gardens in Worthing with a friend and her son. We saw at least 4 Red Admirals, 6 Whites, one Peacock, one Painted Lady and a Speckled Wood. I spotted a small amount of what looked like everlasting pea but no blue butterflies although it was quite a short wander there.
Today I went to Pulborough Brooks with low expectations due to the rain. In between showers I saw 3 Speckled Woods and 4 Dragonflies.

[Wurzel]

Great shots Katrina though I must say that I'm most enamored with the final Dragonfly en masse shot

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Thanks Wurzel, they are not the best photos but better than nothing on a rubbish weather day.

[MrSp0ck]

I'm assuming that's some form of buddleia, Katrina, although it's not one I've seen before.

Likewise, I'm unfamiliar with the blue flower the hoverfly is perched on, but it makes for a particularly attractive image.

Its a hybrid between the Orange Ball Buddleia and the white Buddleia, similar to the orange flowered Buddleia, if you look closely at the flower spikes you can see they are formed of little balls of flowers, from one of the parents.

The Purple flower is an ipomea, probably "Royal Blue Ensign" related to convolvulus.

[Katrina]

Thanks for the plant ids MrSp0ck!

[Katrina]

Today I went to Whitehawk again. Neil Hulme had located a LTB before I arrived. It was pristine but keen on hiding in the undergrowth. Many other people also came to see the LTB and I was impressed with our collective patience. Eventually it came out a bit and gave an opportunity for some. photos. It later took flight and just when we thought that was it Essex Buzzard relocate it - many thanks. It was good to see so many familiar faces including Bugboy, Millerd, Essex Buzzard, Gary, Neil and Ben Greenaway.

[bugboy]

Good to see you today Katrina and Long-tailed Blue's really don't get much better than him do they

[millerd]

Lovely shots, Katrina - he was definitely what Wurzel would describe as a cracker of a butterfly.

Good to see you again too - it was really quite a sociable gathering up there on the hilltop today, with familiar faces from far and wide.

Cheers,

Dave

[essexbuzzard]

Yes, it was quite a gathering. That’s a lovely open wing shot, Katrina. Love it!

[trevor]

I sent a PM before seeing your images.
Definitely 10 points for the open wing shot!.

Trevor.

[Wurzel]

Wowsers Katrina! The open wing shot is one of the finest I've seen!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

That's a beautiful specimen, Katrina. I've seen many dozens on the continent but they rarely if ever look as good as that one.

[Katrina]

Thanks Bugboy , Millerd and David. He certainly was in top condition.
Thanks Wurzel and Trevor, I like the violet colouring at the edge.
Double thanks to you Essex Buzzard for relocating it otherwise I wouldn’t have got the photo at all. Also thanks to Neil for the original find.