I've not seen a butterfly since November 16th and so think it's safe to say that my 2013 butterfly season is now over.
I still think about butterflies; hardly a day passes that a butterfly or two doesn't flit around inside my head and through my dreams carrying happy memories of the summer and hopes and plans for the future.
What a truly wonderful place this UKB website is! All the butterfly wisdom, knowledge and experience it contains, the beauty of the many photographs and the unselfish goodwill of those who set it up and keep it running, and of the many who contribute to its pages. It enhances the quality of life: I don't think you can say that about many websites.
I'm so glad I started my own Personal Diary here, for many reasons, not least of which is that no matter where I am (and at the moment that means being stuck in the concrete heart of London), at the click of a button I can look at photographs of butterflies that I saw and of places that I went to. It can be a considerable benefit though these Winter days.
I've been thinking about my own favourite butterflies and also my favourite butterfly moments of the 2013 season and I thought I'd like to start writing about them here. I hope it will help me while away the Winter months!
The very first butterfly that popped into my mind was an Orange Tip.
Ted Hughes wrote a beautiful poem about Swifts and about how when he sees them for the first time each Spring he knows the World is still turning. Well, that's just how I feel when I see my first Orange Tip: I'm still here, I'm still alive, the World is still turning and Winter's OVER!!
This year they kept me waiting much longer than usual and it wasn't until the 28th April that I saw one, a male, flying along just ahead of me as I walked my dogs. This is him
By early May I was seeing them every day, sometimes 10 or more at a time with females too
I try to get a good photo but I have the same problem with them as I do with Whites in that the results are usually over exposed.
It's so wonderful to see them though, they come at a time of year when everything is fresh and green, full of hope and bursting with life
And this year I've had them in my garden, which has been a great thrill
Some, as you can see, are very friendly
Planting Wall Flowers and Garlic Mustard in the garden was the best thing I've done in ages, the Orange Tips came and some even stayed for a few days
In fact I was seeing Orange Tips right up until mid-June, often in my garden.
So there's my first "Choice" butterfly of 2013, the Orange Tip. It flew into my mind today of its own accord but I'd guess it's my love of Spring and of new growth and new life, which the Orange Tip represents to me, that invited it in.