www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Maximus wrote:Brilliant sequence of photos B'Rex, you certainly made the most of of the opportunity presented to you Have a great Christmas and I know you will have a fantastic 2014

Mike

Thank you for the kind words Mike I hope you and your family have a great Christmas too. I think you're right, 2014 is going to be another special year for me I hope you have a wonderful time next year too.

My very best wishes to you

B'saurus

Wurzel wrote:Thank you for our early Xmas pressie Rex

Mind you to quote 'man hanging in dungeon from Life of Brian': "You lucky, lucky Bast**d"
Be good to meet up in the field next year, maybe some of your luck will rub off Now get back to the Mince Pies.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

The pleasure was definitely all mine Wurzel, If I knew where good luck came from I would be happy to share some with you. Anyway I can't argue with you this time I really was a lucky Bast**d.
It would be great to bump into you out in the field, always a pleasure to meet a fellow Monty Python fan I won't have any trouble spotting you, you'll be the one banging two coconut halves together pretending your riding a horse, I'll be the one admiring some shrubbery saying NI

Have a great Christmas

And if anyone spots a Norwegian Blue whilst out and about

Brilliant sequence of Photos, just goes to prove that you never know what will show up. Well done on capitalizing on the occasion and capturing them so well.

Cheers,

Neil.

nfreem wrote:And if anyone spots a Norwegian Blue whilst out and about

Brilliant sequence of Photos, just goes to prove that you never know what will shot up. Well done on capitalizing on the occasion and capturing them so well.

Cheers,

Neil.

Thanks Neil, I remember saying to myself "make the most of this you'll never see it again" so no pressure then I really did try hard to capitalize on it, I'm sure my camera nearly burst into flames the way I was going at it. Near panic would be a good description! I would love to see something like it in the UK again but I think that would be like pining for the fjords

Have a great Christmas Neil,

All the best

B'saurus

Pauline wrote:Wow! You have left me speechless - doesn't often happen Be good to bump into you in 2014. Have a great Xmas.

My apologies, I almost missed your reply there Pauline! I think I need my eyes testing I was somewhat speechless when I saw it all unfold before me

I only hope I've not used up all my good luck in one go

B'saurus

East Sussex has some very good sites for Wall Browns, my local area in particular. I'm rather happy about this because they are a favourite of mine. Of course this does not stop them from driving me mad, they are hyper sensitive to my lumbering presence so getting a half decent photo can be a real challenge.

Taken on the 11th of July 2011 Taken on the 27th of July 2011 B'saurus

Fantastic Wall Browns, that's the type of shot I'd love to have of a female Something to work for in 2014 me thinks!

Have a goodun
Wurzel

Thank you Wurzel I certainly have to work very hard when it comes to Wall Browns, they either land on the least picturesque spot they can find or if you manage to catch one feeding they just don't sit still long enough for the camera to focus. Worst of all is that they are often extremely difficult to approach without scaring them off. Of course this only makes it a lot more rewarding when you finally do get a half decent shot of one. I hope you manage get a fantastic photo of a female WB this year.

B'saurus

In a few months time I will be making my annual pilgrimage to the BC reserve at Park Corner Heath hoping to see and 'perhaps' photograph some Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries. Unfortunately I hardly saw any SPBF's at the reserve last year. I am hoping that some good spring weather will come to the rescue in 2014 and with any luck they will make a comeback.

Taken on the 13th of June 2011 Taken on the 6th of June 2012 Taken on the 6th of June 2012 B'saurus

Cracking shots of the SPBFs Rex I'm lucky that Bentley is a good site for them and it's just down the road. Good luck with them in 2014

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great Shots Rex - you have inspired me to get some better than my current ones, that underside is stunning!

Many thanks Wurzel and William, I hope I'm not pushing my luck by posting up even more Fritillary photos but I'm feeling in a Fritillary kind of mood so here goes.......wish me luck

After a spell of illness I finally feel well enough to continue with my diary and post up few of my older photos. Better still I've really enjoyed catching up with everyone's personal diaries & other postings that I've missed.

Way back in June 2011 I was lucky enough to stumble upon a veritable bonanza of Dark Green Fritillaries. I had a tremendous time for a few hours trying to make the most of this golden opportunity - I think I filled up my memory card on that particular day.

All taken on the same day on 23rd of June 2011
B'saurus

White Admirals are quite high on my "tricky to photograph" list, they are so active during hot summer days that I rarely catch them sitting still for long enough to grab a half decent shot.

One day I hope to get a decent photo 'or two' of a nice fresh WA but until that day these are the best I've been able to manage.

Both taken on the 23rd of June 2011. B'saurus

Cracking DGFs Rex I share your frustration with White Admirals. For me they're either bombing along at ninety miles an hour or are so old that they're worn and past it. If I do find a good looking specimen it never wants to close it's wings to show me the beautiful under wing Still if we got all the shots we wanted when we wanted them it wouldn't be half as much fun

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hi Rex, ditto with the White Admirals.

I am still after a good photo of a nice fresh WA in a decent pose myself, maybe this year...

I suppose that spending so much time flitting about brambles means that they soon get a bit raggedy around the edges. Mind you,watching their graceful flight as they skim and glide along the rides is a joy in itself.

Cheers,

Neil.

Thanks Wurzel and Neil with no Purple Emperors in my immediate locality WA's are much more than just a consolation prize. As you say Wurzel if it were easy it wouldn't be much fun. I've yet to even see a mating pair of White Admirals so that's another thing I've got that to try and photograph as well!

I'm sure that is why they get so tatty in such a short time Neil, I guess you've got to be around just after one has freshly emerged to even stand a chance.

Hopefully at least one of us will get lucky this year

Some lovely photos in your Jan to Feb posts B Rex, I'm sure you'll get your White Admiral shots in 2014.

Mike

Maximus wrote:Some lovely photos in your Jan to Feb posts B Rex, I'm sure you'll get your White Admiral shots in 2014.

Mike

That's very kind of you Mike, your kind comments are most appreciated I will certainly keep on trying, what I need is some really good luck

B'saurus

Until the glorious summer last year I could not help but notice the worrying decline in numbers of the Small Copper in my area during the couple of summers preceding 2013. Sadly one of my favourite local spots for Small Coppers was totally destroyed by a power company as they removed a telegraph pole and installed a new transformer.

The place used to be packed with Small Coppers before they caused 'maximum damage' and eradicated all butterflies from the site. Last summer for the first time in couple of years I saw the first SC re colonise the site. I doubt it will ever retain it's former glory but it was great to see the return, they are one of my favourites.

These were both taken at the site before it was ruined on the 25th of September 2010.
B'saurus

Cracking shots Rex I can't stand it when great little areas get wiped out but you've just got to hope that life will find a way back, and 2013 was a great year for Small Coppers so hopefully they'll return

Have a goodun

Wurzel