Cheers, Wurzel - you'll be able to compare the black margins with another example now! On this one, they aren't quite as extensive.
Just a bit of sunshine seems to be enough, David, and the Red Admirals are out. It seems to be enough to bring one or two Hollies out of their chrysalids too.
Thank you Trevor - the conditions seem just right for them to open up like that, and it is possible to get really close as well.
Not often you're speechless, Buggy...
Many thanks, Neil. There haven't been quite as many Holly Blues around here as there are in some years, but peak day counts of 34 in the first brood and 24 in the second, and 562 butterflies counted altogether (with them being seen on 67 days between 25th March and 31st October) means they've had a pretty reasonable year.
Thursday 31st October was very similar to the previous day, with perhaps a bit more sunshine. Red Admirals were slower to appear today, and once again it was while looking down at the new nettle growth that I saw something move in the wet grass. In view of the day before I wasn't really surprised to find another fresh female Holly Blue.
She struggled a bit to find purchase on the damp grass, and was partly shaded, so I lent a hand and helped her to a better spot in the sun.
She immediately started seeking moisture from the surface of the leaf.
I was also able to get some close-up shots of this behaviour.
Not so much patience was required today - the butterfly soon decided the bask in the sunshine.
Before the butterfly finally flew I managed a nice back-lit shot.
Encouraged by such a good start, I carried on around my usual route, finding most of the five Red Admirals today in slightly different haunts.
In one of these spots, one of the Admirals was being bothered by another butterfly. When it finally settled, it turned out to be a male Holly Blue, somewhat battered but still able to pose nicely.
Finally, back nearer home again, down on the nettles I found a third Holly Blue. This is where luck ran out - this one had clearly warmed up in the sun, and after allowing a couple of resting shots it set off into the trees, revealing itself in the process to be another male butterfly.
So, eight butterflies altogether, two species - and once again including a lovely fresh Holly Blue female.
There is one shot I haven't yet posted, but I think I'll save that for a more appropriate time...
The weather now goes downhill, and the chance of another outing like the last two steeply diminishes. Still, fingers crossed - you never know.
Dave
PS: And at long last, my diary is up to date!
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