Carcassonne 2013

[Padfield]

Hi Charles. I think both your tiny blues are female common blues. The polyomattine undersides, the presence of a cell spot and the fact they're not subgenus Lysandra together leave little alternative, I think.

Guy

[Charles Nicol]

Hi Charles. I think both your tiny blues are female common blues. The polyomattine undersides, the presence of a cell spot and the fact they're not subgenus Lysandra together leave little alternative, I think.

Guy

thanks for the IDs Guy ! These blues have a remarkable size range n'est-ce pas ?

This is the 3rd non-butterfly day due to the weather; hopefully some will have survived the violent storms for me to see tomorrow

In the meantime i am forced to while away the time in restaurants and bars http://www.flickr.com/photos/captaincatkin/

Charles

[Charles Nicol]

at last the weather is improving.... fairly sunny by lunchtime. the fritillaries are starting to appear: http://www.flickr.com/groups/2248312@N20

tomorrow i may retry the Pomas to Couffoulens walk ( or maybe the other way round ) if it is sunny. with any luck the Lesser Purple Emperors will be out by the river.

Charles



the pale moth had gorgeous orange underwings in flight.

[Charles Nicol]

Weather still improving. Sunny but strong wind today. Took the bus to Lac de Cavayère this morning. No blues or skippers. Plenty of Jersey Tigers in stream area. Single Painted Lady.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2248312@N20

[Padfield]

I'm enjoying your pictures, Charles! The weather has improved here in Switzerland, after a few grim days, so I hope it clears up for you, too.

Guy

[Charles Nicol]

Merci Guy !

The weather has taken a turn for the better; i have been for several butterfly expeditions in the last day or so. no LPEs yet

[Charles Nicol]

Have added a few Silver Spotted Skipper pics which i took this morning

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2248312@N20

the Satyrs seem to be fewer since i arrived at the end of July

[Charles Nicol]

Here is a Geranium Bronze ... it was just outside the Internet Café !

Last night there was a violent electrical storm... it was still raining at breakfast time. Plus a wild boar hunt was in full swing 200 yards from the campsite

It is fairly sunny now so i might fit in a quick butterfly hunt at 4pm

[Roger Gibbons]

Be very careful in the hunting season - wear bright clothes and ideally a hat - orange if possible. Check out the death toll from hunting accidents. The locals (anywhere) usually cite trigger-happy Parisians as the most lethal, having no experience of hunting and a reputation for blasting at anything that moves.

[Charles Nicol]

Merci Roger

I have heard several tragic tales of tourists being mistaken for Sangliers


Here are two butterflies & 1 caterpillar which i need help with svp

[Padfield]

Hi Charles. I can't do the caterpillar (a most curious creature!) but the butterflies are both Lang's short-tailed blues, Leptotes pirithous.

What's the betting one of those is going to turn up in the UK in the next couple of weeks too?

Guy

[David M]

What's the betting one of those is going to turn up in the UK in the next couple of weeks too?

Probably not the current Carcassonne residents, Guy, but clearly the more northern based LTBs are intent on a bit of cross channel flying!

[Charles Nicol]

Thanks for the IDs Guy.

I was sure they were not Common Blues !

All the Marbled Whites have disappeared now. One or two Satyrs remain.

[Charles Nicol]

i was delighted to snap this Hairstreak this morning; also the deceased meuth

any ID suggestions welcome

Charles

[Paul Wetton]

Hi Charles

Could be an Oak Hawk Moth.

[Padfield]

HI Charles. You're having a PH day - poplar hawk and purple hairstreak.

So look out for pig hunters ...

Guy

[Charles Nicol]

Merci Paul & Guy... i will check out the Privet Hedges

[Charles Nicol]

i went out to the Oak Forest this morning. After 20 minutes of no butterflies i decided a comfort break was required. As soon as matters were in hand, so to speak, a fresh hairstreak alighted in front of me. Needless to say when i was in a position to take the pic the blighter had flown away

[Charles Nicol]

Went for last major expedition today; ended up at the Emperor habitat by the river below Preixan. After half an hour staking out a muddy area on the path through the poplar wood i spotted my prey.

Pics here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/2248312@N20

Am leaving on Friday so might squeeze in a few more shorter trips...

Charles

[Charles Nicol]

i saw a Red Admiral this morning before leaving the campsite.

at lunchtime i was joined in the restaurant by two Geranium Bronzes... one did a kamikaze dive into my wineglass; despite my valiant efforts to rescue him/her i fear the worst. A few seconds later his/her chum arrived and sat on the edge of my table mat for a pic...

Am spending my last night in a hotel near the airport; it has a garden so maybe a few more pics may be taken

http://www.flickr.com/groups/2248312@N20/