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Thanks Wurzel & David. One more high speed Comma today...............

.......... along with five Peacocks nectaring together on Verbena.
All except one were in near pristine condition, and were surprisingly
easy to approach. Also at Herstmonceux were at least four Red Admirals,
though these were showing signs of wear.

Small Coppers still to come.

Lovely late Peacocks, Trevor. That has to be a second brood you are experiencing down there. Nothing like that up this way (though I did see one on Sunday) but I am swamped with fresh Red Admirals by way of compensation...

Cheers,

Dave

Cheers Dave, I surprised to find fresh Peacocks today, given the date 6th Oct.

Quite a few Small Coppers were present today, but few were found in their usual places.
They seem to have dispersed widely, even into the meadow outside of the gardens.
Fresh specimens were seen alongside some very worn ones.
One worn male still had enough vigour to pursue a female, and he was not taking
no for an answer, and chased her for a good five mins.
In the meadow a solitary Knapweed flower attracted two Coppers seeking nectar.

In all a very productive day for October.
Trevor.

Cracking Small Coppers and Peacocks Trevor Good to see someone able to take advantage of the 'Indian Summer' Love the shots of the Red Admirals on the Allium flowers Hopefully the weekend will be just as good if not better.

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Lovely to see that pair of Small Coppers, Trevor.

Nice work with the Peacocks too - I don't think I've seen more than a dozen since late July round my way.

Cheers Wurzel & David.

Today was warm but with very little sun, so butterflies were few and far between.
Two Peacocks and two Small Coppers obliged for my camera, but a Painted Lady and
what looked like a fresh female Speckled Wood were seen in the air.

Lovely shots Trevor That Small Copper is very gently marked, really brings out the orange The next week doesn't look too bad weather wise but I can't bring myself to look at next weekend

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

I'm not sure what's in the air round your way, Trevor, but I wish we had some of it here - Peacocks vanished several weeks ago (even my neighbour has only had one in her garden since mid-August).

Thanks Wurzel & David. Hope you both enjoy today's all day long outing!.

Stay safe and well both,
Trevor.

Fantastic late season butterflies, Trevor

More today Mike.

I decided on an all day visit to Herstmonceux Castle this morning.
Throughout the day I was surprised by the number fresh specimens that turned up, and very fresh at that!,
not something to be expected on 11th October. I found three fresh Commas, several very fresh Small Coppers,
and two fresh Peacocks among a few showing signs of wear.
The hoped for Clouded Yellow seen by someone on Saturday did not re-appear.

Trevor.

A cracking selection there Trevor

This is the time of the year when I am jealous of those of you living down south, my season has been over here for a couple weeks now.

Cheers,

Neil.

Cheers Neil. Even down here it's a case of ever diminishing returns.
The castle grounds are about the only location now where a good selection
of species can be found. Last October was fantastic there, and on the 9th
I photographed a fresh female Wall, a fresh 'blue' female Common Blue,
and two Clouded Yellows.

Stay safe and well,
Trevor.

Trying to eek out as much as possible from the rapidly closing season,
I went over to Herstmonceux castle again. On arrival it was sunny but cool,
bordering on cold, even so a Peacock, a Red Admiral and two Commas were
already on the Verbena but basking rather than feeding. Taking advantage of
a particularly relaxed Comma I managed to get my camera ridiculously close
to the butterfly and avoided spooking it.
It was a nice surprise to meet Katrina, and she provided some welcome and
stimulating company as we soaked up the exceptionally fine weather and the
diminishing supply of butterflies.
On leaving I couldn't resist a shot of Mr & Mrs Guinea Fowl, this pair are always
patrolling the grounds, and I am always grateful to be some distance away from
them when they start their loud calling sessions.

Trevor.

This looks like a cracking end of season site Trevor what with Admirals and Coppers on a wall in amidst fresh Commas It's getting to that time though when you have to take every shot just in case it's the last of the season

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Best to soak it all up while it's still on offer, Trevor. Looks like you've found a good late-season site there.

Great shots of that Comma, Trevor. It's strange how sometimes they let you get really close instead of sensing you when you're still setting up the shot as they often do. That verbena is a wonderful plant too - it should be obligatory for councils to plant in roadside verges! I don't think there's a butterfly that ignores it.

Cheers,

Dave

Many thanks all. A little more luck this morning.

I was very fortunate to find three Peacocks and two Small Whites before lunch today.
One of the Peacocks in particular was remarkably fresh and absolutely pristine.
All were found basking, waiting for what little sun there had been, to return.
They were literally camera fodder!.

Trevor.

Cracking set of Peacock images Trevor The light on the first one in particular really makes the blue on the fore wings 'pop' I'm sure I can hear a few practices arias in the wings... Still soon be spring I feel this as the Christmas trees are already unofficially on in Salisbury

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

That's a stunning couple of Peacock's, it's been said before but just imagine if they were as rare as a QoS Frit. People would drive the length and breadth of the country for a glimpse of them.