www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Hi Nick,

I think we had our lucky wellies on yesterday

I hope they are not the only Emperors we see this year ...

Great pictures.

Kind regards. Mark

Thanks Wurzel and Mark for your kind comments on my Purple Emperor photos. Lucky wellies Mark, it was my wifes umbrella that brought us luck

All the best, Nick.

Chiddingfold Wood, 11 July 2012 continued
This Purple Emperor is the other one myself and Mark saw, it has seen better days,but still makes your heart miss a beat when seeing the lovely blue sheen on its wings. What a beautiful butterfly no matter what the condition.And it could be the only photo i will get this year showing all of its glory, but i hope not.I`m adding this picture because i thought it unusual, with its antennae pointing down, something i have never witnessed before.

Cracking Purple Emperor shots Nick, you captured the purple on the first shot on this page lovely

Chris

Hi Nick,

Good to see your PE photos, yours, Marks and Paulines are the only ones that I have seen so far.

Cheers,

Neil F.

Thanks Chris and Neil. I am a bit behind on my posting, [about two weeks] so i will try and catch up. With this male marbled White first, taken on 1.7.2012.

Went back to my local patch today, and within 15 minutes a male Purple Emperor blessed me with his presence again.
Made my day again, and quite a few other people to, especially a scotsman who was visiting a couple of friends down here. It was a lovely day, spent chatting to friends i have made over the last few years in the PE season.The PE only stayed down for a few minutes on two occasions just long enough to take a few photos each. We did`nt get the shot we were all after, the four wings of purple, but we were much luckier then the folk who missed it.

Some more lovely Purple Emperor shots Nick, the open wing one is stunning

Chris

Thanks Chris you`re comments are appreciated

All the best, Nick.

Chiddingfold Wood, 24 June 2012-30 June 2012
Red Admirals are doing rather well this year in C.W. seeing up to half a dozen on every visit so far, which is a very big improvement on last year.

My garden, 24 June 2012Chiddingfold Wood, 30 June 2012,

Your Red Admirals are very nice Nick but when are you going to let us see your mating Dark Green Frits

Thanks Pauline, and the DGF mating i will post later. [Its not a very good picture, and i have seen more beautiful females than the one in the photo].
All the best, Nick.

Chiddingfold Wood
The White Admiral is one butterfly that always seems to avoid me, but at least i managed this one shot taken on 30 June. I was taking the photo into the sun, so i used the built-in flash on my camera otherwise all i would have achieved in getting would have been a silhouette of the butterfly.On the other hand i have no such trouble with its cousin the Red Admiral.This individual is taking salts from a snail, which was discarded by a Song Thrush. Photo taken on 1st July.

Chiddingfold Wood

Chiddingfold Wood, 21 July 2012

The Pond Skater is a member of the family True Bugs [Gerridae] in the order Hemiptera. They have six legs, four of which have hairy pads that trap air, and repel water, so that they can move about freely without breaking the surface of the water. They normally feed on dead or dying insects that have become trapped on the surface of ponds and the like, using the two front legs to capture and hold there prey. The proboscis is sharp, and easily penetrates the body of its victim, sucking out all of the juices. The female lays her eggs in jellied clusters under water in the spring. The larva moult five times before reaching adulthood, all adults have wings which are used when the need arises.As you all know no dead animal or insects body after it has passed away ever goes to waste, and in the case of this Ringlet [which seems to have lived a long and fruitful life] its the next meal for these Pond Skaters.

Chiddingfold Wood

This weekends visit [Sat. 7th and Sunday 8th July] was to hopefully find and photograph D.G.F.s, especially a female. The weather as usual was cloudy, but warm. so after parking the car i set off to the hot spot for this species. On the way i bumped into Neil [sussex kipper giving one of his many walks] on arriving at the area for D.G.F. i soon found a freshly emerged male, which stayed around for at least a couple of hours if not longer,and took photos until my heart was content. But it was the only one i would see today. On Sunday i was also lucky in finding another fresh male and managed quite a few photos before he flew off as soon as the sun appeared. A female blessed me with her presence, but was quick to fly off and away before i could even get a record shot. Other butterflies seen, Red and White Admirals, Small and Large Skippers, Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Silver-Washed Frits, Purple Hairstreak, [spotted by sussex kipper] Common Blue, Comma and 1st brood Wood Whites were still hanging on. The two 1st brood Wood Whites i saw on Sunday 8th one male, and one female were the last i would see them this year, and the latest i have ever recorded them. The male was chasing the female down the side of the track just above the ground, when the female landed on a small flower the male took his chance, and was just about to start the courtship ritual, when a small brown spider appeared from nowhere, and grabbed the female, the male flying off to a nearby flower having a very lucky escape.

Chiddingfold Wood, 7-8th July, continuedAnd it rained just for a change.And the sun made an appearance.

Chiddingfold Wood, 7-8th July, continued

stunning last shot.

Chris