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To pose, or not to pose, that is the question??? I set out today to capture the butterfly busy about it's business, doing all the important stuff that butterflies have to do, but the changeable weather conditions meant I returned with some 'posed' shots quite by accident!
Having spent some time chatting to the ranger on this fragile site it seems there is some growing concern about the species here, the 4 males that we counted being the maximum recorded to date. Fingers crossed it is just a late emergence and not a decimation due to last year's dreadful weather.

Those are unusually heavy topside marking on your PB, Pauline. It looks rather similar to one of Vince's photos on the species' pages - listed as an 'unclassified aberration'

Mike

Yes, thatt's a wonderful individual.

Melanism is quite characteristic of the genus (and indeed of small fritillaries in general) and in double-brooded species I have often found it in the first brood, emerging early in the season. I have also seen it at high altitudes. It is almost standard in first broods of violet fritillaries (Boloria dia, a close relative of pearl-bordered).

I don't know if it's genetic or can be triggered by environmental conditions (or both) but it is an appropriate response to a cold season, where the butterfly who can heat up the quickest betweeen clouds and rain might be the one who gets all the fun!

Guy

What a find!

Excellent images and an aberrant to boot!

I have looked at the gallery Mike and can see the similarity that you quite rightly point out. Thank you for you comments David. Yes, it was a good find especially in view of the very low numbers. Good to hear from you Guy - I always enjoy your diary. Those are very interesting points you make and make a lot of sense. However, with 4 males patrolling up and down I think the first female to emerge is the one that is going to have all the fun!! Lucky girl

That is certainly a striking PBF Pauline

I saw a similar dark one in the Wyre Forest last year but he had seen better days and nowhere near as nice looking as yours.

Neil F.

Thank you Neil. Being so close to them I am tempted to make a return visit to establish how/if the females are faring but in these conditions I fear it would not be very fruitful. I am tempted today to look for a local Small Blue colony - at least they don't roost up trees

Until I can find something with wings I thought I would include these, from recent visits to IOW:

As I drove south on the A3 the wind buffeted the car about and the rain lashed the windscreen and I asked myself for the umpteenth time what on earth I was doing. The weather aside, I was heading for a site where I always feel extremely uneasy especially when unaccompanied. I consoled myself with the thought that any trouble makers would be indoors in such inclement weather and that only the genuine dog walkers would be around. However, unfairly as it may be, I also find them intimidating. Not for them the poodles, spaniels or labradors. In my experience it is the pit bull types, Rotties and even the odd Mastiff that are most commonly found around here and I question why that should be. Last visit, a year ago, I lost my car keys so I took care to make sure they were carefully secured today. 2012 saw me out in the rain a great deal looking for butterflies. The difference being it was warm then. Today, despite shirt, jumper, coat and wellies I was freezing. I could have done with some gloves. Undeterred, I pressed on. This site can usually be relied upon for Small Blues and they don't roost in trees! It was just a matter of finding them - if they had emerged! On entering the site my spirits soared as I immediately saw:
Unfortunately, a female and a closed wing shot (never satisfied!).

It took another 10-15 minutes to locate a Small Blue and in total I only found 2. To be fair, I stopped looking as I was cold and wet and needed to get back for the animals. However, 2 was one more than I needed and despite the strong wind I managed to get some reasonable shots. At one point the sun emerged for about 20 seconds and I was pleased to be able to grab some partially open wing shots of this pristine male. It was tempting to survey the site as it certainly has a lot to offer and I felt sure the Green Hairstreaks would be in their usual location. The Peregrines were circling above me but today I could not be persuaded to stay. Time and the weather was against me so, under leaden skies, I drove back home with the rain battering the windscreen yet again. Lots of shots included as I am just so pleased to have seen them.

I tried to implement everything I have been told about focus and depth of field but the window of opportunity was just so brief that I barely had time to take the photos.

P1140337 is fabulous Lovely deep blue scales on upperside, sharp eyes, and the underwing too!

A just reward for braving such horrible conditions. We're keeping an eye on a young Starling at the moment, which flew into a window and knocked itself out. It's resting on polystyrene packing in a warm box at the moment. Only time will tell if any real damage was done.

Mike

Glad to see determination paid off and that you got your reward, Pauline.

Some lovely shots there.

Pauline wrote:Being so close to them I am tempted to make a return visit to establish how/if the females are faring but in these conditions I fear it would not be very fruitful. I am tempted today to look for a local Small Blue colony

Hi Pauline
Your Small Blues are great I think that any butterfly action obtained during conditions such as todays are all the more pleasurable. After reading the post above I was encouraged to rethink my plans this morning, inspite of the weather, thankyou I popped over to Beacon Hill at Warnford to see what was about, not much it has to be said. I did not manage to find any Small Blues, though I believe they do reside here. I did find a couple of fresh Small Heaths roosting my first of the year I managed nearly an hour there before the heavens opened
I still have not made it to your Small Blue site but will hopefully make it up there soon. I have still yet to see a Small Blue

Nice shots Pauline. Your Small Blue seems to have unusually-extensive patches of light blue scales!

Cheers,

- Pete

Thank you Mike. In terms of sharpness I think that is my favourite too. I do hope your Starling has recovered. I have lost count of the number of birds that has happened to here. The most notable was a Woodpecker who was out cold for about 10 hours in my hospital cage. I was concerned as he was feeding a youngster but as I checked him yet again he took me by surprise, flew out of the cage and thankfully out of the bedroom window.

I appreciate your comments David - thank you. And thank you too Pete. This male did have a lot of silvery blue scales Pete but I don't believe I have ever seen one which was so fresh and I assumed that was the reason. In the very short time the sun appeared he sparkled like a little jewel and for that brief moment all troubles and worries are forgotten. That is why I do it!

I am glad if my decision to brave the elements inspired you Paul. The novelty of butterflying in such extreme conditions is starting to wear off a little having had to do it most of last year I have to agree tho' that it does bring a great deal of satisfaction and sense of achievement and success that you just don't get at other times. . If you go to Paulsgrove for the Small Blues you will find them mainly in the long grass by the ditch along the back of the houses mostly at the far end.

The ground was so slippery yesterday that I fell down that ditch taking the Orange Tip photo and pulled a muscle near my hip. I was in quite a bit of pain today and thought I would be grounded as I was only able to hobble a few yards. Happily the Ibuprofen has kicked in so I was able to get out briefly. 5 minutes from home (Broxfield Common) I came across about 50 cars and photographers. I just had to stop and ask. They had come from all over the country to see a Roller which has been there for 3 days. They showed me some photos and a mighty fine bird it is too. Beautiful shades of blue and lilac. Sadly, it had just flown out of site but I am very tempted to pop back up there this evening.

Blooming Roller!! I've always wanted to see one of those - good luck finding it tonight

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Hmmm, a Roller?.... I'm afraid that one is going over my head a bit (reckon I must be showing my ignorance )

Lovely Small Blue photos Pauline, I am hoping to get out tomorrow and look for some of our Warwickshire ones. I will be very happy if I get any shots even half as good as yours.

All the best,

Neil F.

Evening Wurzel. Found it!!!! Left it in the safe watch of the guys who are sleeping in their cars tonight, ready for first light. Really is a cracking little bird when seen thru scope and with naked eye. Last photos taken at 9.15pm and all at about 150yds (their estimate not mine) and with my little lumix too!! Not the best photos I've ever posted but I'm chuffed to have seen it. Might even go back tomorrow! Oh, and a Woodlark thrown in for good measure!! Think I'm becoming a twitcher
BTW, the Glanvilles aren't out yet at Wrecclesham tho they were this time last year.

Not at all Neil - I hadn't heard of them either. I'm told they've only ever been in this country twice before but they really are stunning and my photos don't do it justice to say the least (even forgot to ask whether it was male or female, damn!). Anyway Neil, thank you for your kind words. I hope you find your Small Blues tomorrow. The forecast is good so have a smashing day.

The first image makes the bird look a little like a kookaburra.

Must admit, the only 'rollers' I've ever heard of are canaries.

I guess it must be rare if people are sleeping in their cars!! I don't think I'd do that even for a Monarch.

Pauline wrote:I'm told they've only ever been in this country twice before

It's rare in UK but not that rare - Birdguides (http://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=088001 ) lists 336 accepted historical records. It's a stunning bird that breeds in Southern Europe and Eastwards towards Russia.

Mike

Pauline wrote: I tried to implement everything I have been told about focus and depth of field.....

I'd say you've nailed the depth of field thing. Lovely Small Blue shots, Pauline! Great how you got the background completely blurred.

Chris