Katrina

[Katrina]

Today I followed in Trevor’s footsteps hoping to get some similar photos of Small Coppers on flowers.
I went to Herstmonceaux castle for the first time. The weather turned out better than predicted.
I saw all three whites with Small Whites being the most numerous. Also seen were Red Admirals, Peacocks approx 5, one Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Commas, one male and one female Common Blue, Speckled Woods and the hoped for Small Coppers. The floral display was magnificent.

[trevor]

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Herstmonceux Castle.
And you found quite a good selection of species for the time of year.
Few Wall Browns and no Clouded Yellows there yet. For those it was fabulous last year.
The Small Copper on Rudbeckia is exactly where I left him!.

Lovely familiar shots.
Keep well,
Trevor.

[Benjamin]

Lovely photos of the area and the butterflies Katrina. I must visit and seek out the lush nettle beds Trevor mentioned that must be responsible for the profusion of 2nd brood small tortoiseshells and what I suspect are 2nd brood peacocks that you saw today.

[Katrina]

Thank you Trevor, I did enjoy it. I didn’t find the Walls so will check with you if I go again where to look.
Thanks Ben, I can recommend it despite the Polegate roadworks.

[Wurzel]

Beautiful photos Katrina The yellow flowers mak a stunning background for the Small Copper in particular

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

That looks to be a beautiful walled garden, Katrina. Those asters certainly give a feeling of warmth and all the better when there's a Small Copper (or Peacock) resting on them. Lovely location.

[Katrina]

Thanks Wurzel and David I went along as I liked Trevors photos and got lucky with the weather.
In answer to Trevors wondering about the blue badge copper I think his is slightly different.
On going through my photos I found 3 one with a large chunk, one with less prominent markings and one with a small chunk. I think I only photographed 2 without although that could be photographer bias

[Wurzel]

More lovely shots Katrina - there's just something great about the combination of chocolate brown, orange and a hint of electric blue

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

That last one is a beautiful caeruleopunctata, Katrina. Been a while since I saw one with such well defined blue markings.

[trevor]

This is your shot ( sorry I've cropped it a bit ) that sent me scurrying
over to Herstmonceux the other day.
I can just make out the tiny nick in the LH hindwing which I didn't
notice at the time. So it is a different butterfly to the one I saw.

Lovely crisp shot.
Trevor.

[Katrina]

On a trip to Anchor Bottom yesterday I saw one Clouded yellow and multiple Meadow Browns and some blues. The highlight was a Peacock in the lane when I was leaving who seemed to have a dusting of gold colour.

[millerd]

I see what you mean about that Peacock, Katrina. A definite dusting of gold scales near the body, and a goldish look to the boders of the forewings. It looks very new - another second brooder, probably: very nice!

Cheers,

Dave

[Wurzel]

A golden Peacock in deed and immaculately dressed as well Lovely shot , I hope it's safely tucked away now though

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

[David M]

Fabulous Peacock, Katrina. They've long since disappeared round my way....and Clouded Yellows haven't arrived!!

[Katrina]

Thank you Dave - it is funny how I still find new things to notice about familiar butterflies. Looking at others photos the gold dusting seems relatively common but I had never noticed it before.
Thanks Wurzel, we had torrential rain yesterday so I am sure it will have tucked away somewhere.
Thank you David, they arrived here but the one I saw was doing it’s zipping up the hill trick.

[trevor]

For reasons unknown to me, I've only just seen your Peacock image.
You've captured the wing texture perfectly.

Great shot,
Trevor.

[Katrina]

Today I headed for Herstmonceaux Castle again. I seemed to come home with photos from unusual angles. I think I needed to be a few inches taller to get above the butterflies. I went to the Folly Garden for the first time and saw a Large White. Then back to the other gardens where it was a pleasure to bump into Trevor. We saw Commas, Red Admirals, Peacocks and Small Coppers. I have never noticed before then ends of the wings drooping down in Commas.

[trevor]

Great to meet you again today, and not a bad day for butterflies considering the date.
Love the Small Copper on the Ivy, another fresh one.
I also managed a shot of Mr & Mrs Guinea Fowl !.

Thanks for a great day, stay well,
Trevor.

[Katrina]

Great to meet you again today, and not a bad day for butterflies considering the date.
Love the Small Copper on the Ivy, another fresh one.
I also managed a shot of Mr & Mrs Guinea Fowl !.

Thanks for a great day, stay well,
Trevor.

Thanks Trevor,
my first attempt at using the quote
Good to see you again too.
I like your side on Comma and the Guinea Fowl - you can really see the pattern in your photo

[Wurzel]

Lovely shots Katrina it's great to see that the butterflies are still out and about - I'm hoping the weather holds into the weekend as I've been stuck in work

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel