Pete Eeles

[Pete Eeles]

Well, it turns out that I haven't posted in my diary since December 2019 .. shame on me! Things will definitely pick up since I retired on 5th April this year and now have a lot more time to dedicate to family and, of course, butterflies. I'll restart with a few oviposition shots I've managed over the last few weeks, and expect more to come!!!

Holly Blue on Dogwood, Stockbridge Down, Hants

Marsh Fritillary, Hants

Duke of Burgundy, Noar Hill, Hants

Painted Lady, Stockbridge Down, Hants

Painted Lady, Stockbridge Down, Hants

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pauline]

Those are all great shots Pete. I saw your Duke on the Hants site. It is not easy being in the right position at the right time. Sometimes you think you are and then they twist round to lay the egg and the shot is not quite what you hoped. I have just missed seeing you at various sites by 1 day!

[Wurzel]

Crickey Pete you're even further behind than me Looking forward to plenty more posts like this - keep em coming

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[bugboy]

Welcome back Pete

[Neil Hulme]

Wishing you a long and happy retirement, Pete. I bet that feels good!
Great ovipositing shots, particularly the Duchess. Pauline's right - a very difficult shot to pull off, without grass stems etc. obscuring the action. After literally hundreds of attempts, I finally nailed it a couple of days back, although I didn't get the added bonus of the egg!
BWs, Neil

[David M]

Congratulations on your retirement, Pete, and no further excuse for an absence of more than two years on your PD!!

Love the ovipositing shots and let's see if we can get you one with maturna in a few weeks time.

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks for all the kind comments everyone

Cheers,

- Pete

[jenks]

Best wishes for a long and happy retirement. Just think, you wont have to rely on going places at the weekend and encountering the world and his dog, you can choose Monday to Friday. (I`m assuming you can anyway ).

Jenks.

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Jenks - that is very true!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

Time to share my latest project - due for publication in autumn next year (2023) and a companion volume to 'Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies'. It's about 75% complete, but more photos are needed and, of course, the 'polishing' needed to get this over the line! I know from experience that the last 25% will take 75% of the time

Cheers,

- Pete

[Neil Hulme]

Now that's just made my day, but I can't believe you're such a masochist! It'll be a while yet before I can face writing another.
You are, of course, welcome to any of my images of rarities in those categories.
BWs, Neil

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Neil - on all fronts! I'd already provisionally included several of your wonderful images!

Cheers,

- Pete

[jonhd]

Your retirement has bonuses for us all!

Jon

[Neil Freeman]

Congratulation's on your retirement Pete.

Since taking early retirement about 18 months ago, my family stuff has grown to fill a lot of my available time so ironically I am not getting out to see butterflies as much as I thought I would. Having said that, this family stuff was one of the reasons I retired early.

That book looks like another certain addition to my shelf.

Cheers,

Neil.

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Jon and Neil!

I know what you mean, Neil - having more time for family was also one of my reasons for retiring and, as the old adage goes, I don't know how I managed to fit work in previously.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Wurzel]

Congrats on the retirement Pete and the retirement plan - put me down for a copy please

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Benjamin]

Great to see that painted lady egg receive the Eeles treatment! Beautiful shot.

It speaks volumes about your contribution to note how many others are looking forward to your post-work next chapter as much (or nearly as much) as you are!

[Max Anderson]

Congratulations on the retirement - Very much looking forward to your upcoming book and excited to see what else you get up to!

Fantastic ovipositing shots, I know how challenging it can be to get a clear shot, but you've really nailed these.

[Pete Eeles]

Thanks Wurzel, Benjamin and Max!

I keep telling people that immature stages is where it's at and, true to my word, and given the weather forecast, set out to try and locate Green Hairstreak larvae today at Greenham Common. Knowing where females had been laying on Common Bird's-foot-trefoil was clearly a bonus, with the close-focusing binoculars doing their job ... it's amazing what you find, including quite a few Common Blue eggs, among other things. Anyway, I managed to find 1st, 2nd and 3rd instars and a return visit is needed to find the final instar larva, which is quite a beast! My knees are shot, however

1st instar

2nd instar

3rd instar

Cheers,

- Pete

[Wurzel]

Really interesting to see those instars Pete, especially the hairs on the first instar With regards to the knees gardeners have those knee pads that might be of use?

Have a goodun

Wurzel