Page 20 of 24
Re: William
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 6:01 am
by Pauline
Beautifully composed photographs William - my particular favourite is the Apollo
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
, and the Titania
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
and the Marbled Fritillary
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
, and the .........
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Re: William
Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 11:15 am
by Goldie M
Hi! William, your photos remind me of Water colours (delicate works of art) love them
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Goldie
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: William
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:31 pm
by William
Thanks, David, I was delighted to stumble across the Asian Fritillaries (more luck than judgement), though I'd swap one for a Glandon Blue
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
. It would be nice to get the odd mugshot once in a while, Neil, and a big thank you for your kind comments, a huge compliment - hope the Fritillaries and Emperors have been behaving themselves, look forward to seeing some photos on your diary when you get the time! Thanks Pauline and Goldie too
Foreign fling - Skippers and Others
Skippers were out in force throughout the trip, with Essex and Small omnipresent pretty much wherever there was grass.
![Alps 14.JPG (1.51 MiB) Viewed 1952 times Essex Skipper](./files/thumb_13033_a1ab8b5edb659687696b72866eb08169)
- Essex Skipper
Pyrgus were encountered sparingly, and in the heat, were difficult to approach. The bulk of them were seen at higher altitudes where, on the short turf, Silver - Spotted Skippers popped up fairly regularly.
![Alps 37.JPG (1.37 MiB) Viewed 1952 times Silver - Spotted Skipper](./files/thumb_13033_7d2e366dd7a1b35535530b98c1313e98)
- Silver - Spotted Skipper
In wooded areas and by streams, I was pleased to spot the odd Chequered Skipper.
![Alps 11.JPG (1.49 MiB) Viewed 1952 times Chequered Skipper](./files/thumb_13033_c84f4dc9c706b364add608b66d595d83)
- Chequered Skipper
And in the Loire, Large Chequered Skippers were seen in good numbers, they really do
skip, with an almost yo-yo like flight - wonderful!
![Alps 18.JPG (1.71 MiB) Viewed 1952 times Large Chequered Skipper](./files/thumb_13033_7c594396ca378cfd42956f894aa628a6)
- Large Chequered Skipper
![Alps 19.JPG (1.56 MiB) Viewed 1952 times Large Chequered Skipper](./files/thumb_13033_b301e1e8c7ae499f3b57b56ab171874d)
- Large Chequered Skipper
In the same place, I found a couple of Glanville Fritillary larvae.
![Alps 16.JPG (1.15 MiB) Viewed 1952 times Glanville Fritillary larva](./files/thumb_13033_c027c99e3d2d5a7610be2cdbedf9bd39)
- Glanville Fritillary larva
Whilst up in the Alpine meadows, I enjoyed the wonderfully bizarre owlfly,
Libelloides coccajus.
![Alps 23.JPG (1.02 MiB) Viewed 1952 times Libelloides coccajus](./files/thumb_13033_4a051722fa715d7ea452a1b0782ec411)
- Libelloides coccajus
All in all, an amazing holiday, with the sheer variety and abundance of insect life in the Alps something that will live long in the memory - I'll be back
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: William
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2015 9:12 pm
by Wurzel
Fantastic images William
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
That Large Chequered Skipper is a stunner
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
And what branch does the Owlfly fall into - it looks like a cross between a Dragonfly and a Skipper
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: William
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 5:18 pm
by William
Thanks Wurzel, Large Chequered Skippers are wonderful butterflies
Catching Up
Since returning from France, things have been fairy quiet butterfly-wise, what with the awful, windy weather. Nevertheless, I've managed to get out and about close to home, and things seem to be ticking over.
Grayling are putting on a strong showing on the Quantocks, the amount of joined-up habitat here is unusual in its size, not just the odd isolated reserve, and these, and Green Hairstreaks can be found all the way along the hills.
![IMG_9555.JPG (1.42 MiB) Viewed 1932 times Grayling](./files/thumb_13033_94c4fdae4e64a609a19f0af82eb0f1af)
- Grayling
![IMG_9696.JPG (1.26 MiB) Viewed 1932 times Grayling](./files/thumb_13033_d437daa789a8fd0388a15d8124924a0a)
- Grayling
I was pleased to also record a couple of flyby Dark Green Fritillaries (and an amazingly late Green Hairstreak), the first records for 15 years, it would seem
Marbled Whites are also around in fairly good numbers, these two were seen during a failed hunt for some more Dark Greens.
![IMG_9097.JPG (1.08 MiB) Viewed 1932 times Marbled White](./files/thumb_13033_87a34e435d4266b63bce496b0d41cad6)
- Marbled White
![IMG_9310.JPG (1.22 MiB) Viewed 1932 times Marbled White](./files/thumb_13033_ce157091085c54429b188eb622d8a8b7)
- Marbled White
I was delighted to find a Meadow Brown egg-laying on my wildflower bank last week...
![IMG_9806.JPG (681.88 KiB) Viewed 1932 times Meadow Brown Ovum](./files/thumb_13033_ea8dce350d7c25f798d1556e433ea168)
- Meadow Brown Ovum
![IMG_0579.JPG (538.9 KiB) Viewed 1932 times Meadow Brown Ovum](./files/thumb_13033_addd11c9140b6c9470ea77f1070e8496)
- Meadow Brown Ovum
And a Large Skipper doing the same whilst on a local walk...
![IMG_0587.JPG (628.82 KiB) Viewed 1932 times Large Skipper Ovum](./files/thumb_13033_5f7b613ecf84059f336d0618f2cb72c9)
- Large Skipper Ovum
Continuing the theme of immature stages, one of my Brown Hairstreak pupae popped open a few days ago, revealing an absolutely stunning male.
![IMG_0123.JPG (1.22 MiB) Viewed 1932 times Brown Hairstreak - Male](./files/thumb_13033_fba8d397b54a7fe8b42b8247d43d0080)
- Brown Hairstreak - Male
![IMG_0390.JPG (1.33 MiB) Viewed 1932 times Brown Hairstreak - Male](./files/thumb_13033_d33cba5bcb2beb92a3c7a425509fdde1)
- Brown Hairstreak - Male
This Common Blue larva, looking for a place to pupate, met a sadder end, at the hands of a marauding earwig that somehow snuck into its pot.
![uk2.JPG (1.03 MiB) Viewed 1932 times Common Blue Larva](./files/thumb_13033_095be105f300e1e0db6c89c7a6e60166)
- Common Blue Larva
Re: William
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:22 pm
by Matsukaze
Excellent news on the Graylings, they are gone from the Mendips east of Crook Peak now and even abroad I only seem to come across them in ones and twos. They are butterflies of great character and I really must make the time to visit a strong colony and watch them for a good while.
Do Keeled Skimmers turn up widely in the Quantock combes? There are the odd records of what is a rare species in Somerset, and it would be good to get a sense of how common they actually are there.
Re: William
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 7:40 pm
by Pete Eeles
Excellent observations and posts of late, William! I just love the "colouring up" of the Meadow Brown ovum!
Cheers,
- Pete
Re: William
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 8:48 pm
by William
Thanks Pete, I was pretty chuffed with the Meadow Brown egg, it's nice to think they all colour up in different ways - each one is unique
Chris, Graylings and Green Hairstreaks are everywhere on the Quantocks - I would highly recommend it
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
. If you fancy looking for Graylings, I'd park at Staple Plain Car Park (ST117410), and walk up to the hill to the trigpoint and then along to Bicknoller post, I saw about 20 on that route the other day, all perching on the path. Dragonfly wise, I haven't seen a great deal on the Quantocks (yet!) just a few Broad - Bodied Chasers and an Emperor at Wilmott's Pool (ST152382) - whereabouts were the Keeled Skimmers, I'll keep an eye out, as that's a species I haven't seen!
Re: William
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:10 pm
by David M
Some beautiful, sharp images there, William. Your male Brown Hairstreak is so fresh I mistook him for a female!!
Re: William
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 9:13 pm
by Wurzel
That is indeed a stunning Brostreak
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
Not long now til they really get going
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: William
Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 4:51 pm
by William
Thanks chaps, I was delighted to have the chance to examine the Brown Hairstreak up close, definitely one of our most exquisite butterflies
Portland
Having visited the legendary 'isle' of Portland before, and been amazed by the quantity of rare butterflies, and the place itself, I was delighted to get the chance to visit again this August, with some friends.
For me, Portland always seems like a giant industrial estate, with grassland interspersed with both abandoned and working quarries, after the island's sought after honey-coloured limestone. Despite the heavy industry, and no doubt because of it, butterflies thrive on Portland, with the abandoned quarries, with poor stony soils perfect for Kidney and Horseshoe Vetch hosting thriving colonies of Dingy Skipper, Small Blue, Adonis Blue, Common Blue, Silver - Studded Blue, and one of my targets, Chalkhill Blue.
Safe to say, they were absolutely everywhere, indeed, they could hardly be avoided, being found in small numbers in any area on the island with wildflowers, and in extremely large numbers in the quarries on the West Cliffs, in particular Bower's Quarry, where spectacular communal roosts could often be found during the evening - amazing!
Lulworth Skippers were still around in small numbers, in the grassland around the bird observatory (where I stayed - great place!), albeit looking rather sad, along with a few Small Blues, Common Blues and Wall Browns - a thoroughly enjoyable trip
![IMG_1898.JPG (2.05 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue](./files/thumb_13033_e0c8e3fff88336fae68b061ed9804ad8)
- Chalkhill Blue
![IMG_1862.JPG (956.63 KiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue](./files/thumb_13033_8a21b10fa5f693ee8aa4c5bbbff95243)
- Chalkhill Blue
![IMG_1923.JPG (1.65 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blues](./files/thumb_13033_7b8c63952fc94583f3cd7e58d0f98e5e)
- Chalkhill Blues
![IMG_1980.JPG (1006.47 KiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue](./files/thumb_13033_001fa0e01dd9ab5171c9c79f00dc0fb2)
- Chalkhill Blue
![IMG_2049.JPG (843.83 KiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blues](./files/thumb_13033_0928aca5c3f697be7dfafc34231b1e9e)
- Chalkhill Blues
![IMG_2182.JPG (1.2 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue](./files/thumb_13033_f16725a298c126f0a2109c2c8e528913)
- Chalkhill Blue
![IMG_2275.JPG (1.34 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue](./files/thumb_13033_82eddcacd18ff677dac35becf2aabbc5)
- Chalkhill Blue
![IMG_2301.JPG (1.27 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue](./files/thumb_13033_929db5dd0aea42d371e59a6781d52bc8)
- Chalkhill Blue
![IMG_2839.JPG (1.5 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue](./files/thumb_13033_8cd060d534afa77052b6cb0764956ca9)
- Chalkhill Blue
![IMG_3078.JPG (1.19 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue - Marbled White Combo](./files/thumb_13033_275d9ea09ca8ae364db9d39e400cd983)
- Chalkhill Blue - Marbled White Combo
![IMG_3093.JPG (1.3 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue](./files/thumb_13033_9ad7456492a0f20a1d7020534f982718)
- Chalkhill Blue
![IMG_3647.JPG (1.5 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blue](./files/thumb_13033_8d41fddad8134bea913c38eb7a8e0f13)
- Chalkhill Blue
And my favourite picture, a blue and a view - Portland at its finest
![IMG_3705.JPG (2.17 MiB) Viewed 1863 times Chalkhill Blues](./files/thumb_13033_ff218e26d9566d4769996b2774fab928)
- Chalkhill Blues
Re: William
Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 6:23 pm
by Butterflysaurus rex
Lovely selection of photos William, it's been a long time since I last visited Portland, your report and photos make me want to return there.
All the best
James
Re: William
Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 9:20 pm
by Katrina
More charming photos but the photo of Chalk Hill Blue on the rock is awesome! I like the way the lichen matches the orange on the wing.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Re: William
Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2015 6:12 pm
by William
Catching Up
August has been a busy month, and it's been difficult to keep on top of photographs with so much happening. The second rescued Brown Hairstreak produced a rather nice pale pupa back in early July, and emerged as a beautiful female in early August - an absolutely stunning butterfly!
![UKB 5.JPG (766.02 KiB) Viewed 1807 times Brown Hairstreak Larva - Pupating](./files/thumb_13033_cbd68b3f59de46d953d7375053a9c852)
- Brown Hairstreak Larva - Pupating
![UKB 6.JPG (855.96 KiB) Viewed 1807 times Brown Hairstreak Pupa](./files/thumb_13033_0ff11183d4d32fb2c3672c934eb446e8)
- Brown Hairstreak Pupa
![UKB 3.JPG (1.02 MiB) Viewed 1807 times Brown Hairstreak](./files/thumb_13033_b8eb7e2765ec45ae598c4351e55aeda6)
- Brown Hairstreak
![UKB 4.JPG (1.36 MiB) Viewed 1807 times Brown Hairstreak](./files/thumb_13033_2e10188b6867086118208f69fff6bd3e)
- Brown Hairstreak
During my visit to Portland I did pop into Alner's Gorse as well, where I caught up with many more Brown Hairstreaks (all bar one male), several Purple and my first low-level White-Letter, at one point, all three species were feeding on the same Bramble bush, quite amazing!
![UKB 18.JPG (1.15 MiB) Viewed 1807 times White - Letter Hairstreak](./files/thumb_13033_95e1da9238f842d7e1a76aad1e741dd7)
- White - Letter Hairstreak
![UKB 15.JPG (1.35 MiB) Viewed 1807 times Purple Hairstreak](./files/thumb_13033_1c2e2139d4777abfaedb11862fa15a9c)
- Purple Hairstreak
Back at home again, there's been lots of egg-laying/larval doings in and around the garden.
![UKB 7.JPG (427.67 KiB) Viewed 1807 times Comma Ovum](./files/thumb_13033_e5e3dba36d9566226002474880c450ce)
- Comma Ovum
![UKB 9.JPG (783.88 KiB) Viewed 1807 times Common Blue - First Instar](./files/thumb_13033_d9d76444a24fb14e803e3a04939ae119)
- Common Blue - First Instar
![UKB 13.JPG (595.19 KiB) Viewed 1807 times Large Skipper Ovum](./files/thumb_13033_b358f07b64237b955a8e5d4865dcd9ac)
- Large Skipper Ovum
![UKB 12.JPG (729.65 KiB) Viewed 1807 times Large Skipper Larva](./files/thumb_13033_1f705f6043a5743c2b1d973085fa8664)
- Large Skipper Larva
![UKB 10.JPG (1.18 MiB) Viewed 1807 times Large Skipper Larva](./files/thumb_13033_98b0a1a3c0c711e86967d44156f6eb0b)
- Large Skipper Larva
![UKB 11.JPG (643.85 KiB) Viewed 1807 times Large Skipper Larval Tube](./files/thumb_13033_356634abc5cefa00adb75d21317b32cf)
- Large Skipper Larval Tube
Of particular excitement, was a Brown Argus ovum on some Common Rock Rose that I had planted on my wildflower bank. This is by no means a common butterfly in my part of the world, and it was interesting to find the egg on this foodplant, which I've never found in my area (I think they probably use Cut-Leaved Cranesbill).
![UKB 1.JPG (411.58 KiB) Viewed 1807 times Brown Argus Ovum](./files/thumb_13033_a39c6b4dba823711ffd00fd6b9cf715f)
- Brown Argus Ovum
Re: William
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 8:19 pm
by Wurzel
Three Hairstreak species in one day?
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
Cracking shots too!
Have a goodun
Wurzel
Re: William
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:14 pm
by David M
You have a great eye for early stages, William, not to mention the ability to provide excellent images.
Thanks for sharing.
Re: William
Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:47 pm
by Pete Eeles
Excellent observations, William! Keep up the good work
Cheers,
- Pete
Re: William
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 1:07 pm
by Maximus
Stunning freshly emerged female Brown Hairstreak, William and excellent early stages images as always
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Re: William
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 6:59 pm
by Neil Freeman
Hi William, great photos of the early stages and stunning Brown Hairstreak images.
Cheers,
Neil.
Re: William
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2015 8:33 pm
by Butterflysaurus rex
WOW three species of Hairstreak all feeding on the same bramble bush at once! That's not a sight you'll see every day in the British Isles! Great stuff as ever William. You must be really pleased to finally catch up with the While Letter Hairstreak. Hopefully I will do the same with the elusive Purple and see one low down next year.
All the best
James