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I remember the cracking images of your Purps from the summer Trevor - you definitely had a cracking year with them and that first image wow

Have a goodun

Wurzel

You've presented us with so many delightful images in this highlights sequence, Trevor, but I have to say the one with the Brown Argus and Adonis Blue at either end of the sainfoin flower is itself a highlight within this series.

First class.

Many thanks, Wurzel & David.
David, I managed about 20 images of the Brown Argus and Adonis Blue, all of similar quality.
In each image the Brown Argus has moved position slightly. All taken very early morning.

Memorable moments 10. Ditchling Common, 9/6/ 2019. Black Hairstreak.

The really memorable experience at Ditchling Common occurred last year.
After a rather cryptic phone call from Dave Cook ( the Guy who actually discovered
the BH at Ditchling Common in 2017 ), he asked me to meet in the car park, on the
Monday at 10am. Refusing to tell me anything of use, other than to say it was exciting,
left me with 14+ hours to ponder/anticipate and did little for a good nights sleep!.

The rest is now history, but I had been invited to the BH preview day, the day before
the discovery was made public.

In 2019, as in 2018, the Black Hairstreak did not disappoint, many were seen, and what is more
they are usually very placid when at rest, and seemed at their best on cloudy days.
In my experience I would say that they are one of the easiest butterflies to photograph.

Memorable moments of 2019. 11. Chiddingfold forest, Purple Emperor.

No Summer for me would be complete without a few visits to the Chiddingfold
forest complex to seek out His Majesty. Last year was fabulous for sightings with
the bonus of two ab's as well !.
The 2019 Emperor season was slower going than last year, and started about a
week later. When male groundings started, the more enthusiast numbers grew,
and a grounded Emperor soon drew a small crowd, this is understandable but not
ideal for photography, as only one person will have the best position for a square
on shot. Humour and good manners are always at their best with the Chiddingfold
regulars, and everyone gets a turn.

On one visit this year, just after lunch, I decided to head for home and having said
farewell to the others, started walking back to the car, when suddenly, in an area
of deep shade, an Emperor flew up in front of me, and could be seen flying close to
the ground and off into the distance and touching down, very briefly, a couple of times.

I waited hoping for a return visit and after a short while he reappeared, still flying low
and frequently landing for only a second or two. With nothing to lose I gave chase and
snatched an image when possible. Finally he flew right down the track almost out of
sight and landed in a distant sunny spot, and was still there when I caught up.
Here in front me was, by far, the best specimen of the week, and I had him all to myself!.

trevor wrote:...Here in front me was, by far, the best specimen of the week, and I had him all to myself!.

Short of serendipitously encountering a rare migrant species, having a grounded Emperor all to yourself has to be the pinnacle of UK butterflying.

Many thanks, David. That Emperor certainly was a bonus, I had to share all other
groundings this year, I don't mind that at all, but so much more enjoyable to have to myself.

Memorable moments. 12. Pirbright, Surrey. 1/8/2019.

I only met up with the Grayling once in 2019, and the trip looked at one time as though
it might turn out to be a waste of time!.
I left home in bright, warm sunshine, but as I approached Guildford it clouded over.
On arrival at Dawney's Hill, the cloud had turned into a heavy grey gloom.
Walking around the site all looked hopeless, but I later sent up a couple of grounded
Grayling which landed after a short flight, but I was not after Grayling on the ground,
it was Grayling on Heather that I had driven a long distance for.
Fortunately, after a couple of hours on site, the Sun broke through the cloud and it
suddenly became very warm, and did the Grayling respond!. Chases were frequent,
and I was lucky to witness four in one chase!.
The abundant Bell Heather at the far end of the site soon proved to be attractive
for Grayling seeking nectar, and I was able to obtain the shots I wanted after all.
It was noticeable that Grayling on the ground quickly retract their forewings,
but while nectaring their forewings were always erect.

Those are lovely shots of the Grayling Trevor especially with being on the Heather Goldie

Sounds like a good trip, Trevor! I’ve never been to that site-another to add to my site list. I too prefer to see Grayling on something, though that isn’t always possible.

Many thanks, Goldie & Mark.

Yes, Mark, Dawney's Hill is well worth a visit for Grayling.
Get the weather right and head for the Heather at the far end of the site, and Bingo!.

Memorable moments 13. Tilshead, Wilts. 2/9/2019.

As with the Spring brood, Tilshead came up trumps again with the Summer brood of Adonis Blue.
And again my effort of getting up early was rewarded. On this visit all was quiet when I arrived
on site, with all the members of the blue family still in their roosting positions on the grass stems.
I spent some time looking for fresh specimens, in this case butterflies with intact fringe hair, and
having selected a couple of likely targets, waited until the Sun gained warmth.
When this particular female Adonis opened up I was astounded, a very fine, fresh ' blue ' female.
And did she sparkle!. Up to that point in the season this was my butterfly of the year.

Great Grayling shots Trevor and great to see Tilshead made it into the Memorable Moments list with that luscious Adonis Blue

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Just catching up with your memorable moments Trevor. Hard to pick a favourite but particularly impressed with the open wing male Holly Blue in no.4 and the Brown Argus and Adonis Blue combo in no.7

Cheers,

Neil.

Thanks, Wurzel & Neil, I was very pleased with the Adonis Blue shots, which were only
possible because I had plenty of time to do some ' gardening ' around the subjects,
and could spend time with composition, while waiting for warmth from the Sun.

Memorable moments. 14. Whitehawk Hill, Brighton. 31st August and 23rd September.

I travelled to Whitehawk Hill as often as possible during September. On most occasions
the wind strength was the dominant factor. This did not always deter male Long Tailed Blues
from flying, but did make photography difficult on occasions. All butterflies seen on the above
dates were migrant males, indeed females were rather scarce, and I personally did not see any.

The really memorable, and final, moment of 2019 is reserved for No.15.

Cracking stuff Trevor If this was number 14 and number 15 is truly memorable Trevor it's going to be stunning

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Final memorable moment of 2019. 15. Whitehawk Hill, 30/9/2019.

This was to prove to be my final visit to the above site, and because of the weather,
this would turn out to be my penultimate butterfly trip of the year.

As I walked up the hill I was filled with optimism, the wind had dropped, it was very mild,
only lack of Sun was the missing ingredient for a great day. But the day would only yield one
single butterfly, and what a butterfly!. Found by Neil Hulme, an absolutely fresh, pristine,
male Long Tailed Blue saved the day, and it was perched on a BLEP bloom. Utopia!!.

This was undoubtedly my butterfly of the year, and one of the most exciting moments of 2019.

Thanks Neil !.

Absolutely fantastic Trevor - stunning shots Utopia indeed

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Those Long Tailed Blues are obvious highlights, Trevor. I've seen plenty on the continent this year but none as pristine as that last one.

Must say though, that utterly radiant female Adonis is equally eyecatching - an absolute beauty

Fantastic Trevor, lovely butterfly shots Goldie

You certainly saved the best till last, Trevor, but the whole review of 2019's highpoints has been excellent. Let's hope 2020 can match or exceed it! Especially on the LTB front...

Dave

Many thanks everyone. That Long Tailed Blue really was the ultimate way to end to the 2019 season.

On a rather grotty day weather wise, what could be better than a look through some full memory cards,
that go back through the years.
One of them reminded me of a fabulous few days I had at Chiddingfold forest in 2017. The weather on
most days was near perfect, and the Purple Emperors responded in style. One occasion I will never forget
was one Thursday, when I had planned to call in at Chiddingfold on my way home from Wiltshire.
I arrived at about 11.30, and at the triangle was met by a very excited P.J. Underwood. He said '' Trevor
they have been landing everywhere, on your baited log, on the ground, and along the rides ''. No sooner
had he spoke when an Emperor landed on my log. After several shots we went to investigate another PE
that had landed nearby, after this, on return to the log there were two PE's on it!.
Prior to the Thursday I was with Dave Cook, who skilfully persuaded a PE to climb onto his finger.

On July 1st, my final day at Chiddingfold, I was with Doug. Neve, and in a whole morning we did not
see a single grounded male PE, but we saw several ' Oak edging ' and flying from tree to tree.
But, the day had not finished with us, as on the way back to the car we were entertained by a very
restless Empress, my first encounter with one.

Hope you enjoy those few days of high Summer from 2017!.

Trevor.

Brilliant shots of Emperors and Empresses Trevor but the Emperor and White Admiral together is a real cracker - I've not seen anything like that before

Have a goodun

Wurzel