Peacock - Favourite Photo of 2021

[Phil Bowler]

These two shots are my favourite Peacock photos of 2021, both taken in my butterfly garden with one showing the almost ghoulish fore-wing only eyes as compared to the absolute brilliance of all four eyes on a freshly emerged specimen. We should not take our more commoner species for granted.

[David M]

...We should not take our more commoner species for granted.

Certainly not this one, Phil. We're lucky that such a spectacular insect is relatively common in the UK. I see precious few in France & Spain.

[MikeOxon]

While, fortunately, the upperside view of a Peacock basking in sunshine is still a frequent sight in UK, I have chosen an underside view. It is an extraordinary result of evolution, to create such a cryptic underside that hides this butterfly so well during its hibernation.

Nuneham Arboretum, Oxon - 10th August 2021
Olympus E-M1-ii with 40-150mm lens - 1/250s@f/8 ISO 800

Mike

[PhilBJohnson]

April 18th 2021 Nature's Calendar
This was some of the last Blackthorn seasonally flowering, much of it, had already "gone over" by mid-April in Lincolnshire. I went out walking with my Spouse, specifically, to take pictures of butterflies, where we had not been before.
Having parked the car, I was "harassed" by someone asking security questions.
I insisted that I wasn't going fishing!
Unfortunately, I spoiled my social memory of the day, when leaving, by accidentally shutting my car boot, on some of my camera equipment.
Don't laugh.
Having thought about something, I have since added an electric shock warning sticker, to the short pole that I used, with bluetooth camera shutter control.

Overwintered Peacock, on seasonally late Blackthorn

[Medard]

Peacock numbers were low last year on my patch, however this beauty came to my garden to brighten up my day.
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/