Queen of Spain Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2011

[The Annoying Czech]

I'm trying to reduce anarchy and mess in my 2011s photos and saving this lovely imago for the time to come, not to end up in rubbish as 97% of content. Maybe it's a good time to start up the Queen related thread Ohh, Vince M. will certainly kill me

This is also an one of my 'goodbye, sweet 42 mm' photos, one of the last before upgrade on a higher class.

Mr. Three-legged!

(Olympus E-450, 42 mm ••• 2011-08-24, Silesia, Czech Rep.)

[Susie]

I know I am feeling particularly grumpy tonight but personally I think Vince should delete your post and image (nice as it is), and you should re-post when the thread has been officially opened.

[Vince Massimo]

Lovely photo Marek

The Queen of Spain is a rare migrant to Britain and I did not open a topic for it because I didn't think anyone here saw one last year. On the other hand 2009 was an exceptional year for them at a site near Chichester, Sussex. Susie and I were amongst the lucky few to be shown around by Neil Hulme (Sussex Kipper) after the news became public. I think Susie might forgive you now

Vince.

[MikeOxon]

Wonderful photo, Marek, of a butterfly we all hope will colonise UK sometime! You have successfully made us very envious here!!!

Let us hope that in some future year it will take up its place in a regular thread.


Mike

[marmari]

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[Reverdin]

Presuming nobody really minds if more photos go in here... this one was from the Alps-Maritimes last April... Roger H and Nick B also have magnificent shots of this one, roosting quietly on a coolish mountain day...

This is another from the same week, posing on a suitably photogenic stick

[FISHiEE]

Lovely photo Marek

The Queen of Spain is a rare migrant to Britain and I did not open a topic for it because I didn't think anyone here saw one last year.

I believe there was at least one spotted in the UK last year in Suffolk. I think it was in these Forums I read about it actually.

[Susie]

. I think Susie might forgive you now

Vince.

Not up to me to forgive. If you're happy, I'm happy.

[Padfield]

I believe there was at least one spotted in the UK last year in Suffolk. I think it was in these Forums I read about it actually.

You're right. Julian posted a photo on this page:

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=5383&p=48012

Guy

[Vince Massimo]

Thanks FISHiEE and Guy, I'd completly forgotten about that one. That's a fantastic photo by Julian. Does anybody have a view on whether it's a male or a female?

Vince

[Padfield]

It's a female. The abdomen is right, but another useful indicator is the apical region of the forewing. In the female the dark area completely encloses largish spots of a distinctly paler colour - often whitish. This isn't absolute but it's a good rule of thumb when other features are ambiguous.

Guy

[The Annoying Czech]

I actually have my "backup Queen of Spain" - since one imago lived right behind my house for nearly a month, I had tonns of time for a proper photo and we eventually became friends. I strongly believe the friendship was based on my delicious sweat.

I'm also offering to anyone interested my possible 2012 Queens to present here as rare British find, presumably with something typically British photoshopped behind the butterfly, like Stonehenge, Buckingham Palace, Stamford Bridge, or the real Queen. It could be disgusting but great butterfly fraud