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A great set of images Andrew you've really managed to make the most of the light to capture the full range of colours on those cracking Coppers Looking forward to your return visit

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Nice Coppers, Andrew, a species most of us only see in small numbers (those living near Dungeness are an exception).

Cheers Wurzel.

Thanks David, I think a trip to Dungeness later in the year is in order.

07-05-18 Denge Wood

After Noar Hill wetted my appetite, I made a trip to Denge Wood to see some more Duke's, here are some highlights.

The first I saw was in a tree (Field Maple?).
The rest were in the more traditional low down positions.
Among other butterflies seen that day, Green Hairstreak, Brimstone and Orange-tip.
The Brimstone was tucking in heartily. I like the legs in the air.
The Duke's of Denge did not disappoint, and I left with appetite sated, for a while.

Cheers

Fabulous shot of the Duke up high Andrew That Brimstone seems to have gone all in, it looks like the flower is eating the butterfly

Havea goodun

Wurzel

Aah! Nice to still be seeing fresh Dukes, even if it was 4 weeks ago! Their season is over all too quickly....how I wish they had a regular second brood.

Thanks Wurzel, never seen one in a tree before.
It does! But rest assured there was no sneaky crab spider that had a hold of it, I watched it fly off safe and sound.

Thanks a lot David. Yup, still trying to catch up!

Cheers

I like pics of butterflies in a setting and you have aced it with your Duke on a Field Maple.

Dukes up trees is a new one on me as well - a great piece of behaviour to capture, Andrew.

Dave

Cheers Ernie and Dave.

Two Meadow Browns seen at Abbot's Wood on Saturday.

Things are motoring along now Andrew , great shots of the Meadow Browns they can be quite tricky this early in the season

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Some marvellous recent images Andrew, it's easy to forget how beautiful even common and ubiquitous species like Meadow Brown's can be when fresh

Cheers Wurzel, this one seemed pretty chill (some cloud helped me out).

Thanks Bugboy, very true.

13-05-18 Lullington Heath

A return to the Heath to see some more Coppers, but also for other spring species.

The others included Red Admiral, Large White, Green-veined White and my first Brown Argus.
A female Wall in Friston Forest. This was one of those times when your concentrating on something, then you turn around and there's a butterfly sat 10 feet away from you where there wasn't before.
My best Small Copper encounter was this male on blossom.
As the sun got lower I finished off with Grizzled Skipper.
A very worthwhile return.

Cheers

It's great when butterflies just 'materialize' Definitely worth the return visit Must be getting close to the Marshie trip?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

A Duke up a tree and then a Copper on a hawthorn, great shots Andrew

I wish I could turn around and find a Wall Brown behind me...in fact I wish I could find one within 50 miles of where I live.

Cheers,

Neil.

That's an odd looking female Wall Brown, Andrew. The markings near the apex of the forewings are unusually faint.

It really is! Luckily the act of turning around didn't scare it off. Yes, close-ish. Cheers Wurzel

Thanks a lot Neil. 50 miles ? Damn!

I don't really know David, I don't think I've seen enough to immediately notice that kind of thing. It does seem so, comparing with others.

Cheers

14/05/18 - 19/05/18 East Sussex highlights

Not quite in the same league as Glanvilles and Black Hairstreaks, but here it is anyway.

I was chuffed with this Large White at Abbot's Wood, a classic 'seen on the way out' number.
I crossed the road at High and Over for the first time, to explore west where I'd heard good things could be seen.
I'd heard right, there was Large White, Green-veined White, Green Hairstreak, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock, Comma, Dingy Skipper, Common Blue, Brown Argus and more Wall. But the star was a female Speckled.
Myself and this Dingy Skipper shared a moment on the way up Windover Hill.
I continued to enjoy Lullington Heath and Friston Forest with another female Wall, Speckled Yellow moth and my first blue spot female Small Copper.
Cheers

Great set of shots Andrew, especially like the Dingy on the hand I have one of those in my 'in the hand collection' but not as good as that one Cracking Small Copper, a proper 'Blue Badger'

Have a goodun

Wurzel