Clouded Yellow f.helice.

[Testudo Man]

Yesterday afternoon (20/8/20) after work, i took a trip to Queensdown Warren, Kent.
Parked the car just before 5.00pm, looked out onto the reserve, an thought i saw a Clouded Yellow (my 1st CY sighting for the year/season).
Grabbed my camera, an took off fast...it was windy, the butterfly was super active, so for the next 10 minutes i shadowed this beauty.
Approx 150 shots later, the CY was gone...it took me on a "rollercoaster" across the reserve, i kept missing shots, you know how these fly from flower head to flower head! So i tried to second guess which flower it would land on next, all the while the CY was being taken by the wind.
This CY looks to be a Helice form to me............Ive only ever seen/photographed one CY helice before, an that was 7 years ago, i hope i dont have to wait another 7 years to see another!

Some highlights, Cheers Paul.
Bright sunlight, so i struggled a bit with the strong light, i didnt have time to check/adjust camera settings! The 1st 3 images are not cropped, but the last image is cropped some.

[millerd]

Splendid butterfly, Paul - they are right so-and-sos to catch up with, especially when it's breezy, so you did really well to get the shots.

Cheers,

Dave

[Testudo Man]

Splendid butterfly, Paul - they are right so-and-sos to catch up with, especially when it's breezy, so you did really well to get the shots.

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks for the comment Dave, its appreciated.
Once the chase was over, my legs felt it some but yes, i was really pleased(an lucky) to capture those images. I just wish i had set the camera up with a faster shutter speed, but i had no time for camera adjustments.
Cheers Paul.

[Allan.W.]

Very nice Paul ! (Helice ) and well captured ,i,ve seen a few in the past ,but have never managed to get near them !
Not been to good in my part of Kent for Clouded Yellows as yet ,and i,ve only had two (or same one twice ! ) from Temple Ewell ,but i do hear that they are now being seen at Reculver and Samphire Ho ! .......................So now all we need is some decent weather !
Regards Allan.W.

[Goldie M]

That's a lovely shot of the Helice, I've been lucky and I've actually got a shot of one, like you though I chased mine from Flower to flower
I saw mine at Temple Ewell in Kent, if your interested in seeing more CY and can make it "Seasalter" is a great place for them. Goldie

[Testudo Man]

Very nice Paul ! (Helice ) and well captured ,i,ve seen a few in the past ,but have never managed to get near them !
Not been to good in my part of Kent for Clouded Yellows as yet ,and i,ve only had two (or same one twice ! ) from Temple Ewell ,but i do hear that they are now being seen at Reculver and Samphire Ho ! .......................So now all we need is some decent weather !
Regards Allan.W.

Cheers for that Allan, this location always seems to have at least 1 sighting for me each year. The most ive seen here is 4 at once, but when you try to chase more than 1 at a time, you end up with no pics! So maybe just having the 1 to chase(with no other distractions) aided me in getting some decent images. Yes, some nice weather would be good, i would like the wind speeds to drop right back down too. Good luck in seeing some more CY's over your part of Kent too, cheers Paul.

That's a lovely shot of the Helice, I've been lucky and I've actually got a shot of one, like you though I chased mine from Flower to flower
I saw mine at Temple Ewell in Kent, if your interested in seeing more CY and can make it "Seasalter" is a great place for them. Goldie

Thanks for that Goldie, glad you got to see one of these beauties as well. Im approx 35 miles inland from the nearest beach, but if i were to go looking for a good butterfly beach location, Seasalter looks great(ive never been there before). Cheers Paul.

[David M]

Great images of a precious butterfly, TM. My heart always skips a beat when I see one on the continent so to encounter one on home soil must be extra special.

[Testudo Man]

Great images of a precious butterfly, TM. My heart always skips a beat when I see one on the continent so to encounter one on home soil must be extra special.

Cheers David, it was one of those moments you dont forget in a hurry.
I returned to the site on Sunday, but no sign of the CY helice (i didnt expect to see it) but i hoped i might.
A lot can happen to a "flighty butterfly", in a 48 hour period, so who knows where that beauty is now?
Cheers Paul.