Pauline

[David M]

Fabulous Emperor shots, Pauline...in fact, fabulous everything; you've really seen some extraordinary things this last week or so.

[Pauline]

That's kind of you to say so David - thank you

They say patience is a virtue Wurzel and I've needed plenty of that recently .

Thank you for that reassurance Vince - just wish I knew why it happened. Thankfully, today's emergence went exactly as it should although I have never seen such a lazy butterfly - the wings were inflated before it even completely left the pupa. It reminded me of a spaniel I used to have who, when tired, would lie sprawled out on the floor eating his dinner! Anyway the whole thing was over in 4 minutes, after many hours of observation. As you can see it is not a Helice, but who cares???

[SarahM]

Another stunning butterfly and photos Pauline. Well done and thanks for sharing

Sarah.

[Pauline]

Thank you Sarah. Clouded Yellow really are gorgeous, aren't they, whatever the type? After this one emerged I returned it to the exact same spot on the common where the egg was laid, only about 3 miles away. It was tempting to have a look round in the areas where I saw her lay other eggs but tbh I was scared I would stand on a pupa on the cusp of emergence so I just settled for taking some more shots whilst I waited for the wings to properly dry:

and a few just after emergence:

[SarahM]

They are indeed Pauline, I would love to see one! Not often found in Cumbria sadly.

Do you still use a Lumix FZ38 for your beautiful photos?

Sarah.

[Goldie M]

Just spotted your shots of the CY, fantastic Pauline, you did well with the egg I don't think anybody as shots quite like them Goldie

[Neil Freeman]

Great shots of the Clouded Yellow Pauline

...Not often found in Cumbria sadly.

Although they do turn up there in good years, I saw one up in Arnside a few years back. Mind you, I have only ever seen one around my patch here in the midlands and that was a flypast. All the others I have seen have been on my trips down south over the years.

Cheers,

Neil.

[SarahM]

Although they do turn up there in good years, I saw one up in Arnside a few years back. Mind you, I have only ever seen one around my patch here in the midlands and that was a flypast. All the others I have seen have been on my trips down south over the years.

I live in hope Neil

Sarah.

[Wurzel]

Not a Helice but who cares indeed Pauline - stunning sequence, in fact I think the colour hurt my eyes ever so slightly

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Pauline]

Hi Sarah - I do indeed still use that camera but as the first one eventually stopped working I got a second one for £30.00 off Ebay - seems to do the job OK. I'm pleased you like the CY shots - not only is the butterfly stunning but the pupa is none too shabby either. I have commented in the past that if a jeweller maker ever developed a unique range of jewellery based on the pupa of a wide range of butterflies it would undoubtedly be very successful. Anyway, just to show how the pupa developed over several days here are a few more shots:

8 July:

9 July:

10 July:

11 July:

Thank you so much M. I have done this once before. A couple of shots from last time:

Cheers Neil - kind of you to say so

Cheers Wurzel - It is always very interesting rearing any species but this one has been a delight.

[Pauline]

Time for an update on some of the other immature stages. First the Speckled Wood. Egg hatched on 22 June:

25th June (3 days old):

28th June (6 days old):

4th July (12 days old):

6th July (14 days old):

12th July (20 days old) - just missed it shedding skin last night and little tails now clearly visible:

[Pauline]

A few more images of the Common Blue:

With temperatures forecast to reach the high 30's next week here in the South East (possibly 40 ) any advice on keeping the pupa safe? I have been grounded all week trying to keep the other critters safe in very uncomfortable temperatures:

even this toad that was trying to get into the hen shed 4 days running:

[SarahM]

Hi Sarah - I do indeed still use that camera

Hi Pauline,

Thanks for answering my camera question, and for posting more fab photos of the CY Pupa.

Sarah.

[MikeOxon]

Wonderful emergence sequences, Pauline, and some interesting early stages too. You are obviously having a great season

Mike

[Pauline]

Thank you Sarah - no worries

Great to hear from you Mike. Hope Ros is good. Yes, I'm having a fabulous time as far as the butterflies are concerned but on the domestic front ......... I'll send you an email.

Temptation got the better of me today and against advice to stay in during the hottest time of the day etc I decided to pay a quick visit to Bramshott Common to see if there were any signs of Clouded Yellows. I had only been there a few minutes when I saw what I thought was a pair of mating Meadow Browns flying towards me. As they got nearer it became clear it wasn't a mating pair but something else entirely. I assume this is a Robber Fly which has a poor Meadow Brown. I am astonished at the ease with which he carried it over a fair old distance:

Edit: just read that Robber flies 'practice "extraoral digestion," which means they shoot enzymes into their prey to pre-digest it by liquifying the tissues.' Ughhh!!!

There were not many Oaks in the area where I was so when I saw a few SWF in the vicinity I decided to take a closer look at it. It looked promising - the bark was covered with moss and a few wild violets were growing nearby. A very quick look revealed about a dozen SWF eggs:

I decided to continue my search for something yellow but as I looked around I was quite astonished to see a large female PE gliding in and out of the sallow. I had heard rumours years ago that PE had been seen here but in all the times I have visited the area I have seen no sign of them - until now. So excited to think she might have been egg-laying. By now the Clouded Yellows had (almost) been forgotten but in any event it was time to go. Another visit tomorrow perhaps!

[David M]

Love those Clouded Yellow images, Pauline...in fact, I love the entire story behind how the event unfolded.

Hope your beloved critters can stay out of danger these next few days. 40c has never been recorded in the UK so these animals will have a tough time.

In 2006 when we had similar hot conditions, we set up a hosepipe with a small slit in it to keep our caged birds happy. It worked very well as they all took turns to bask in the cool droplets of water, I think even the rabbits might appreciate such a thing.

[Pauline]

Thank you David for both the compliment and the hosepipe tip. You can be sure that I will be using everything at my disposal to keep them comfortable - or at least alive I am expecting it to be challenging because of the sheer numbers and different species, both indoors and out. Fingers crossed.

I have been 'grounded' again for a few days due to more insect bites. Don't know what has bitten me (how did I not feel it???!!) but there are about 10 puncture points around my ankle which swelled up so badly and was so painful that I couldn't drive or even get upstairs. It is a bit better now but is still swollen and infected. Anyway, the point is, I could do little but watch the garden butterflies and I was surprised just how many there have been:

Large White, Small White, GVW, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Brimstone, Holly Blue, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Comma and a couple of Hummingbird Hawk moths. Surprisingly no Speckled Wood, SWF, or White Admiral as I usually get one of each annually. Couldn't get any shots as it was too painful to hobble around. I reckon the day I got the bites was the day I took the Clouded Yellow back to the Common. A few shots from that visit:

[Pauline]

It's hot here in Liphook. Very hot. I'm using all manner of things to try to keep the animals cool - hosepipes, ice cubes in water bowls, frozen water bottles, iced treats , a numer of fans, and all sorts of other things. If push comes to shove they will all have to come indoors, including the hens, but I'm checking them every 30-40 mins and thermometers are scattered about. My first Common Blue has chosen the hottest day of the year to emerge. Thankfully she did so before 8.00am this morning so she was back on the Common and I was back home well before 9.00am. I did spend a considerable amount of time watching the pupa yesterday (as always), and when she emerged she scurried around like a little spider, making photos really difficult. Perhaps I should have anticipated that and used sports mode or shutter priority - but hey, hindsite is a wonderful thing:

Pupa - early morning on 17th

Pupa on 17th 2.00pm - out of desperation and because I thought the high temperatures might be drying out the pupa I used a mist spray:

About 6.00am this morning, just prior to emergence:

Emergence:

and a few from the Common:

Time for another animal patrol now!

[Wurzel]

Another cracking emergence sequence Pauline I hope your animals have made it through the heatwave - only another couple of hours to go now f the weather persons are to be believed

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[David M]

Another fabulous emergence sequence, Pauline. You seem to nail it every time!

Hope the critters are okay. Bring the most precious ones into the garage if things get too bad - our chickens appreciate the soil being watered so they can roll in the damp ground in weather like this.