Cheers Wurzel, managed to kick off my season this afternoon
Friday 20th March
After a misty start to the morning, most of it had burnt off by 09.30 to leave a thin high overcast for the eclipse. Being at work I had a limited opportunity to watch it but did manage to catch a few minutes as it reached its peak. No photos unfortunately as I didn't have my camera with me, I am on auto pilot a bit at 06.00 when I leave for work and didn't think to take it.
After finishing work at lunchtime I went home and then with Jane we went around for our usual Friday afternoon visit to my Mom, this time making sure I had my camera...just in case
![Wink :wink:](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
A bit later, with a large patch of blue sky heading over, I left the women chatting and went to stretch my legs around the park just down the road.
By now it was feeling pleasantly warm and with very little wind I felt sure that it was looking good to see my first butterfly of 2015 and sure enough it wasn't long before I spotted a bright orange shape flitting back and forth along a stretch of overgrown hedge...a Comma
As is often the way with these butterflies, he kept returning to the same spot to bask which gave me the opportunity to get a few shots,
![Langley Hall 20.03.2015 001 resize.JPG (629.32 KiB) Viewed 918 times Comma - Langley Hall 20.03.2015](./files/thumb_10101_bf6f760c7dda9705dd5b396750355ceb)
- Comma - Langley Hall 20.03.2015
![Langley Hall 20.03.2015 010 resize.JPG (677.48 KiB) Viewed 918 times Comma - Langley Hall 20.03.2015](./files/thumb_10101_fd3ef29d62fe843b69a857b2fce5a24d)
- Comma - Langley Hall 20.03.2015
Continuing on my circuit I soon saw a Peacock, quickly followed by a Small Tortoiseshell, and during the next hour I ended up with a total of 5 Small Tortoiseshells and 3 Peacocks at various spots around the park. these were all quite active and only settled for short periods giving me brief opportunities for record shots.
![Langley Hall 20.03.2015 023 resize.JPG (577.26 KiB) Viewed 918 times Small Tortoiseshell - Langley Hall 20.03.2015](./files/thumb_10101_5543359f3f6fb37eabc9f0273a50732f)
- Small Tortoiseshell - Langley Hall 20.03.2015
![Langley Hall 20.03.2015 060 resize.JPG (645.93 KiB) Viewed 918 times Peacock - Langley Hall 20.03.2015](./files/thumb_10101_740468ba82332497e3068f2086797bf9)
- Peacock - Langley Hall 20.03.2015
The Small Tortoiseshells included a courting pair that settled for a bit longer before being disturbed by a second male where upon all three took off out of site over the hedges,
![Langley Hall 20.03.2015 039 resize.JPG (647.78 KiB) Viewed 918 times Small Tortoiseshells - Langley Hall 20.03.2015](./files/thumb_10101_b40edec9d3ec494ff1ca5f82b6aae265)
- Small Tortoiseshells - Langley Hall 20.03.2015
![Langley Hall 20.03.2015 045 resize.JPG (662.37 KiB) Viewed 918 times Small Tortoiseshells - Langley Hall 20.03.2015](./files/thumb_10101_a28c83b0be8918d0830800408f9dabcd)
- Small Tortoiseshells - Langley Hall 20.03.2015
With all three of the common hibernators around here seen this afternoon I was well chuffed with my little wander
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Brimstones are often a bit hit and miss for me early in the season as they often only fly for a couple of hours which, with me working in the week and often busy in the mornings at weekends, limits my opportunities to see them. Also I have never yet seen an early Red Admiral around here, but with climate change, maybe I will one day.
Now looking forward to the Specklies and Orange-tips to start emerging.
Bye for now,
Neil