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Lovely butterflies, Trevor it's good that you made the most of today! As Dave says that Copper does look quite fresh

Mike.

Trust a day like today to appear this week after I took the whole of last week off . Luckily I was half day so I managed a couple of hours this afternoon with similar results to you

Cracking images Trevor- that Red Admiral is in mint condish, fresh out of the box - where's it been hiding?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Peacock and Small Copper are decent returns within 2 months of the winter solstice, Trevor!

Hope you remain 'on form' and shake off that stomach infection.

Identification sought.

Whilst clearing the front garden this morning, I found two of our friends.
I know the one on the right, but the furry one on the left, I'm not sure of.

It has to be a Moth of some kind, I am sure.

Many thanks in advance.

I'd hazard a guess that the hairy little blighter is a Ruby Tiger cat, I'll wait to be corrected though

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks, Wurzel.
I've checked out some images of Ruby Tiger cats, and your suggestion fits the bill.
Pity I missed the egg laying female in my garden as I can't recall ever seeing a Ruby Tiger.

Many thanks again,
Trevor.

Memorable moments 2019. 3.

A real surprise occurred on 5/4/2019, on a day not really conducive to butterflying.
Walking along the old railway on a cloudy, cold day I found a pair of mating Brimstones.
The weather was similar the next day, and they were still locked in embrace!.

Memorable moments of 2019. 4.

On April 24th a visit to High and Over produced several fresh Holly Blues.
All were initially found resting with wings closed. One of them, a male,
suddenly flicked it's wings wide open, instead of the more normal slow
opening I'm more familiar with.
Luckily the camera was ready, as it took off after a few seconds of basking.

Great shots from your last two postings Trevor I remember the Tantric Brimstones Did you do a bit of whispering prior to the cracking Holly blue shot?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

trevor wrote:Memorable moments 2019. 3.

A real surprise occurred on 5/4/2019, on a day not really conducive to butterflying.
Walking along the old railway on a cloudy, cold day I found a pair of mating Brimstones.
The weather was similar the next day, and they were still locked in embrace!.

That was indeed a highlight, Trevor. I've yet to see this species in cop and you had 24 hours of it!

What absolutely beautiful images, Trevor! A perfect specimen, a joy to behold. plus a few !

Many thanks, Wurzel, David & Janet for the comments.

Memorable moments of 2019. 5.

This Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary had chosen to roost near some tall Oaks.
At 09.45 the next morning it was still in deep shade, covered in dew, while
other SPBF were already up and about. Thus ensued a waiting game for it to
open up, giving plenty of time for many closed wing shots.
It was cool in the shade, but the butterfly eventually detected the warmer
air just before the sun actually reached it, and opened up to reveal a lovely
fresh male. It soon took flight to join the others after a prolonged roost.






















7

Memorable moments of 2019. 6.

On the 10th May 2019 on a visit to Chiddingfold forest I was fortunate to witness
a lone Wood White that wouldn't remain that way for very long!.
As I photographed it, another Wood White flew in, and after a few moments of
clumsy entanglement, and no time wasted, they coupled right in front of my eyes.

To quote Wurzel ' they don't waste time with chocolates and fine wine ' !.

Nice Wood White sequence, Trevor, and evidence that the elaborate "courtship" ritual often observed in this species is not a definite requirement ahead of mating. (To be honest I've never once seen it actually lead to coupling... )

Cheers,

Dave

Lovely Wood Whites Trevor and that Small Pearl with the droplets - lush Loving the 'Memorable Moments' though I'm still trying to remember and write mine up for the first time

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cheers Dave & Wurzel. I now jump forward a month to June 1st.

Memorable moments of 2019. 7.

Tilshead, Wilts. has to be one of my favourite sites, especially for the variety of ' Blue '
species to be found there. Indeed as far as I can see only the Large Blue and Silver Studded
blue are absent there.
It is a site well worth an early morning visit, and could be combined with a trip to Cotley Hill
for those travelling from the East or from the Salisbury direction.

Memorable moments. 8. Strumpshaw Fen, 3rd June.

Early June turned out to be rather hectic on the butterfly front.
No sooner had I returned from Wiltshire, than the Swallowtails of Norfolk
beckoned for a three day visit. On the first day I met more familiar
faces at Strumpshaw Fen than I would normally expect to meet in Sussex!.

Unlike our visit last year when the weather played havoc, and we were a little
too late for fresh specimens, this year we hit the jackpot!.

Wow! Lush shots Trevor - no wonder they made a memorable moment

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Memorable moments of 2019. 9. Abbots Wood and Chiddingfold Forest.

After some success with the Purple Hairstreak in 2018, this year I was determined
to search more thoroughly for them. I was a little late for fresh specimens last year,
so I started looking for them in earnest in late June.
Fortunately I have a brilliant site for PH very close to home, and had some excellent
sightings there. The only failure this year, which I hope to put right next season, was
capturing a male displaying full purple.