Katrina

[Pauline]

Seems like you took Wurzel at his word Katrina - lovely mating Orange tips. Great news about the Painted Ladies too - send a few in my direction please

[trevor]

Lovely shots Katrina. The lighting conditions were quite challenging where those OT's were.
I didn't notice the Ant, well captured. It would seem that quite a few Painted Ladies were
seen today elsewhere. Great to catch up with you, thanks for the company.

Stay safe and well.
Trevor.

[Katrina]

Thanks Pauline, they did complete the set . Plenty of Painted Ladies around, seemed like on round each bend and others posted on the Sussex Sightings website so looks like they are passing through on their way somewhere.

Thanks Trevor. Great to catch up with you too. As you said the light was challenging.
I liked your Painted Lady on plastic shot!

[Wurzel]

That's brilliant Katrina - a full house/complete set Great news about the Painted Ladies - hopefully it'll be a taster of things to come

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

Thanks David, you may like the next post.

Been waiting for that myself all spring, Katrina, but I doubt I'll see it now.

I shall content myself with experiencing it vicariously.

[Katrina]

I went to Heyshott for 2 hours and saw 8 Duke of Burgundies. I mainly stayed in the lower half of the site so there may have been more further up. They all looked fresh and interestingly despite no wind were all choosing to stay close to the ground. Also seen were Dingy Skippers approx 20 , Grizzled skippers approx 15 , 2 Brimstones, and 2 Red Admirals. On the lane on the way up/ down were orange-tips a Red Admiral and a Small Tortoiseshell
I stopped off at Kithurst on the way back where it was a pleasure to bump into Francis and meet Fiona. I only had an hour to spare but saw 3 Duke of Burgundies, 3 Green Hairstreaks, a Brimstone, Dingy Skippers and a Common Blue.

[trevor]

Well done with the Green Hairstreak , they have eluded me so far this year.
That one looks quite fresh. Nice shot.

Keep well,
Trevor.

[millerd]

That's a very nice Green Hairstreak, Katrina. I think it might be a female, eyeing up the buds on that dogwood with a view to laying an egg or two. It also sounds like time I visited Kithurst as a change from the usual Sussex sites I go to:, if that Duke is typical!

Cheers,

Dave

[Katrina]

Thanks Trevor I was wishing I had more time as I think there may have been more photo opportunities.
Thanks Dave - the Duke in the photo was from Heyshott though.

[Wurzel]

That is a fabulous Duke shot Katrina I was finally able to bring myself to comment as my envy has somewhat abated after finding my own this afternoon

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

Great that you caught up with the Dukes, Katrina.

Green Hairstreak is an added bonus.

Things are tough right now, but there's still no substitute for being out in the field irrespective of conditions.

Hopefully things will buck up fairly soon.

[Katrina]

Thank you Wurzel - glad you found some.
Thank you David - weather has not picked up yet.

[Katrina]

I was hoping to go to Heyshott today but the weather was unsuitable.
I went as far as Storrington and decided Kithurst was a better bet for reaching the car quickly if it rained and more sheltered as it was blowing a gale.
There was no sun but an occasional bit of warmth made it through an occasional slightly thinner cloud.
The first butterfly I saw was a surprise - it was a roosting Holly Blue on a grass. I haven't seen that before and wonder if it was blown out of a tree or had recently emerged from a pupa. Photography was a bit of a game with the wind blowing everything around.
I later found a Brown Argus (I hope) and Grizzled Skipper.

[trevor]

Yes it is unusual to see Holy Blue at rest like that. Love your Grizzlie shot.
Great that you have seen some butterflies. I'm in Wiltshire at the moment
and the weather has been vile, without doubt the worst May weather I've known.
Cotley Hill or daytime TV?, I'm afraid it's been the latter!.

Stay safe,
Trevor

[Benjamin]

I’m amazed you managed to see anything at all today Katrina, and to get good photos is remarkable! Great effort.

[bugboy]

You did well to find anything today. I said only biblical extreme weather would stop me going out in my PD recently... perhaps I should have kept quiet

[millerd]

Extraordinary to find anything today, Katrina - dedication! And some good shots of a few battered butterflies.

Like Bugboy and Trevor, I stayed firmly inside...

Cheers,

Dave

[Wurzel]

Fantastic shots Katrina - the spots and markings really do 'pop' Seeing your brilliant shots has made me determined to say "stuff it" to the weather and just get out there - luckily tomorrow, whilst not great, doesn't look anywhere as bad as today

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[Katrina]

Thank you for all your kind comments. When deciding wether to go out in poor weather I often think of the signature Willrow had on his posts "When in doubt - venture out!" so I suppose I have the late Willrow to thank.

[Goldie M]

Hi! Katrina, I see you got your Grizzly Goldie