Mark Colvin

[Debbie]

Really lovely pictures

[Mark Colvin]

Hi DMS,

Thank you for your very kind comments.

Really lovely pictures.

It makes the effort all worthwhile.

More pictures to follow ...

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

[Mark Colvin]

West Sussex, 4 April 2012

Late to rise early to bed …

The beautiful male Orange Tip at rest ...

[marmari]

Your photos certainly show off the Orange Tip at its best,Mark.

[Lee Hurrell]

There is just something about the orange of a Orange Tip on a bluebell. I love it.

Good work, Mark.

Best wishes,

Lee

[Neil Freeman]

There is just something about the orange of a Orange Tip on a bluebell. I love it.

Totally agree with this. Lovely photos Mark.

Strange to think that people have been seeing orange tips today when this morning I went to work in almost blizzard conditions and we have had snow on and off through the day.

Cheers,

Neil F.

[Mark Colvin]

Thanks Guys,

It's amazing what you can do with a Box Brownie!

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

[MikeOxon]

It's amazing what you can do with a Box Brownie!

Ah, the EXIF data on your photos gives away that you used an FZ-45.

They are lovely views of the Orange Tip, though.

Mike

[Mark Colvin]

West Sussex, 8 April 2012

Nothing ventured nothing gained …

Under a cloud-covered sky and with light rain falling I arrived at the location of dreams, the ground covered with primrose, wood anemone and cuckoo flower; the small brook singing gently nearby. To be fair I wasn’t expecting to see much, if anything, though sitting at home would have certainly produced nothing. Walking through the small hanger the sun started to push through the cloud, though was quickly masked by the darkening sky. I mentioned to my son just how hard it can be to spot an Orange Tip at rest, particularly if you haven’t seen it land. I must try saying that again, as after just several footsteps I spotted a single male roosting on the ripening buds of its delicate and beautiful food plant.

Heading back to my car I found another, perched in similar fashion and offering further photo opportunities.

The sun emerged once more then dissapeared …

[Susie]

Hi Mark, were you too in Five Oaks?

Lovely photos.

[Mark Colvin]

Hi Susie,

Many thanks for your message.

Lovely photos.

Your comments are always appreciated.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

[Mark Colvin]

Earnley Butterflies, 9 April 2012 – Part 5

Continued …

A wet day, only one thing to do ...

The beautiful Common Sergeant (Athyma perius).

Common Sergeant (male), (Athyma perius)

[Nick Broomer]

Hi Mark,

lovely photos of the O.T.s, especially numbers 2and 5, two of the best i`ve seen.

All the best,

Nick.

[Mark Colvin]

Chiddingfold Forest Complex, 11 April 2012

Sunshine and showers …

Hoping for an early Wood White was always going to be a long shot, despite a recent Surrey sighting on the 10th April and not least the fact that today was one of occasional sunshine and intermittent heavy showers …

The first area of forestry visited, on the Sussex side of the county border and probably the best site in Sussex for Wood White, produced nothing in the way of butterflies though this was inspected mid morning when the temperature was still only around 9°C. After a quick lunch my son and I headed off to a more reliable location, over that imaginary line the county boundary, into Surrey. The temperature had increased to around 12°C, though I could still feel a cool breeze on my back as we entered the woodland ride. As the sun shone through the trees into a small clearing a male Brimstone lifted from its resting place. As quickly as he had appeared, the sun disappeared behind one of many grey clouds and he alighted on a bramble leaf allowing a very personal encounter ...

A beautiful experience …

Heavy rain fell shortly after ...

[Neil Freeman]

Hi Mark,

Good to see you are having some success despite the weather. I like that Brimstone photo, I have yet to see one this year.

All the best,

Neil F.

[Wurzel]

This post sums up the spring - fleeting glimpses and then due to the coolness,time to sit and just enjoy the butterflies up close and personal at times.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Mark Colvin]

Hi Neil,

Many thanks for your kind comment.

I like that Brimstone photo, I have yet to see one this year.

It's hard to believe you haven't had a Brimstone sighting yet as they have certainly been quite regular in Sussex, though this was the first that would actually sit for a picture.

Whilst taking my shots a tiny psychodid briefly landed on its wing.

Fingers crossed with the weather ...

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

[Mark Colvin]

Hi Wurzel,

Thanks for your message.

time to sit and just enjoy the butterflies up close and personal

I couldn't agree more and I sometimes think that although we may see less we often see more at this time of year.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark

[Neil Freeman]

Regarding the Brimstones, they have been seen around my area....just not by me . Wrong place, wrong time syndrome I think.

That psychodid...what a cracking little creature and a wonderful name. Is it a micro moth, a fly or what?

Cheers,

Neil F.

[Mark Colvin]

Hi Neil,

Thanks for your message.

The rather attractive Psychodidae are commonly known as moth flies or drain flies and belong to the order Diptera. They are generally associated with damp and aquatic environments and a number of species occur in vast numbers at water treatment works.

Good hunting.

Kind regards. Mark