www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Looking forward to seeing more of these.

Were you up early before the dew burned off?

I always appreciate these types of images. The moisture somehow makes the butterfly even more natural-looking.

Hi a couple more from Bulgaria, really pleased with the painted lady this is the underside shot I have been trying for, for ages, will try to get more uploaded soon but catching up with the gardening and decorating, consequence of going away for 2 weeks I suppose.

Cheers

Andy

I agree with David - lovely pictures. I look forward to more.

Guy

Here are a couple of Hummingbird Hawk-moths from Bulgaria
These are a few from a quick visit to Bramshott Common for Silver Studded Blues Last Friday Morning found plenty of fresh individuals and mating pairs and a nice female with the Blue Dots Then off to Magdalen Hill Saturday morning for a wander with a fair few very fresh Small Tortoiseshells flying and a few Ringlet along with non stop Marbled Whites
Cheers

Andy

Lovely set of images Andy, those Hummingbird Hawkmoth shots are top-rate, hard insects to get as clearly as you have

BW's

Bill

"When in doubt - venture out"

Willrow wrote:Lovely set of images Andy, those Hummingbird Hawkmoth shots are top-rate, hard insects to get as clearly as you have

I couldn't agree more - really excellent!

Cheers,

- Pete

Thanks Bill and Pete for your comments and yes very please to get the pictures I did of the Hummingbird hawks, here are a couple more from Bulgaria and the Tessellated Skipper mentioned in Tony's Bulgaria Butterflies thread

Cheers

Andy

Not been here for some time, busy moth recording in the back garden (271 species confirmed this year) and the usual DIY Tasks, oh and that annoying thing called work. Hardly done any butterfly photography this year then again the weather hasn't helped. Luckily managed to get away with Spatia Wildlife on there Scarce Butterflies trip in early June and managed to find some lovely species along with my usual eclectic selection of moths and bugs. I will over the winter period add the picture as I get time mainly because I am still trying to ID and Confirm ID's, as usual if I have made an error or if you can help with the ones I have not ID'd please shout.

Anyway Hope you enjoy

Day - 1, First evening - Kamentsi village
Not sure on this could be Reverdin's Blue if not probably Silver-Studded
Nice moth that is Local/nationally scarce in the UK
Again a nice moth but unfortunately extinct in the UK since the 60's
Large cricket that I could do with help Identifying please

Cheers

Andy

Some great shots there Andy looking forward to some more I'd go for Reverdin's as the orange almost makes a complete band, mind you I don't know much .

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wow Andy, 271 Moths looking forward to your post and some photos to brighten up the Winter for us Goldie

Lovely images, Andy. Feel free to post some more from your trip (as well as your moth trapping exploits).

Thanks Wurzel, Goldie and David, plenty of images to come and always planned for it to be the winters task of putting names to the pictures.

Wurzel I thought It probably was Reverdin's and always happy for confirmation with these European Blues/Frits and Skippers which there will plenty to come from this trip 100ish species all in all and some rarities/uncommon species to boot.

Will also post selections of beetles/Larvae/Dragonflies and moths etc. many of which I will appreciate the help with so here goes with pictures from the same place (Day 2 Kamentsi village) very early morning around the accommodation before breakfast and moving to our next location.
Cheers

Andy

Great shots Andy, love the Fritillary and Silver Studded Blue, Goldie

Day y 2 After leaving Kamentsi village after breakfast we headed for Suha Reka Valley with the Scarce Fritillary -Hypodryas maturna our main quarry (will post tomorrow), in the meantime here are some pictures before we found our target species

Help appreciated for these 2 Whites I have them Southern Small White based upon the little knowledge I have.
appears lighter than our Common Heath, so if you have any thoughts as to what it may be if I am incorrect please shout
Cheers

Andy

Update, I think the moth listed as Common Heath is in fact 70.019 [BF 1683] Lewes Wave (Scopula immorata) a now extinct UK species

Andy

Here is our main target for Quarry for Day 2 in the Suha Reka Valley Scarce Fritillary -Hypodryas maturna, a stunning butterfly and here not so scarce but was a bit of trek to get to is location followed by a few other species also at the site.
Cheers

Andy

Doesn't get much better than Scarce Fritillary, Andy (except possibly False Comma).

Nice images.

I'm thinking your large copper might be purple shot copper?

Liking those Scarce Fritillaries!

FISHiEE wrote:I'm thinking your large copper might be purple shot copper?

Have to say that the Purple Shot Coppers I've seen all have a noticeably darker ground colour on the underside hindwing than this specimen, but the upperwing undersides do have smaller spots than the guides indicate for dispar.

andy brown wrote:... and a nice female with the Blue Dots

How did I miss this?! Can you add to the SSB Abs album, if not already done. Thx Andy!

Cheers,

- Pete