Denbies, 4 August 2012
I arrived at this beautiful site at 7.20am, the clouds were heavy and low over the hillside, but off i went anyway. My goal was to find and photograph The beautiful Silver-Spotted Skipper, one of my favourite butterflies, but one that i have always failed to get a decent picture off. I started off with a few photos of some roosting Chalkhill Blues even though the light this early in the morning was very poor. Within a few minutes the heavens opened up, and afther chatting to a lady walking her dog, who wished me good luck in my pursuit in getting the photo i was after, i was forced back to my car. Half an hour later i was back on the hill looking for roosting SSS, but to no avail. But there were so many Chalkhill Blues, some very fresh, and even one male that had just emerged with his wings all twisted and bent, was still drying out. So i was kept busy, snapping away with my camera capturing the moment and the beauty of these butterflies for ever. The time flew by and still no SSS, then i saw one then another flying low to the ground like a out off control helicopter. but still no photo. So i thought i would go and find Susie and her party to say hello, i had only taken a few dozen steps when i met P.J. Underwood, his friend and their wives, then ChrisC came along, then last but not least, Susie, Lee Hurrell and Philzoid appeared. It was lovely to see you all again, and ChrisC for the first time. We all went back to where i had just left in the hunt for SSS. I spent a very enjoyable conclusion to my trip here with my fellow UK Butterflyers, and they also changed my luck, regarding getting a couple of nice shots of the SSS, so thank you for that, and thank you for your great company, and a great day.
4.8.2012 denbies 385 silver-spotted skipper.jpg
4.8.2012 denbies 320 silver-spotted skipper, male.jpg
I will post some more photos when i can. Thank you all again for a great day. All the best, Nick.