www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Goldie M wrote: ↑Tue Dec 27, 2022 4:38 pm..We managed to hold Sargent down for a couple of minutes while I took one shot..

What a handsome young dog, Goldie. I'm sure he'll calm down a little as he gets older.

All the best for New Year!

I hope so David, he's supposed to go round to a school when he's older

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU HAS WELL , let's hope it's a good one for the Butterflies Goldie

I was just looking through some old shots I'd taken in 2019 and I found this ab, I called it Sexoculatus, I just wonder if this was right ? Goldie

Hi Goldie. This is definitely an aberration, but not sexoculatus. The name means 'six-eyed', referring to the fact there are four eyes on the hindwing and two on the forewing (underside). Your butterfly has seven eyes - five on the hindwing and two on the forewing.

It looks to be approaching centrifera - an aberration which has varying numbers of rings replaced with white spots. I know very little about all this, but I looked (as you probably did) on the British butterflies aberrations page here:

http://www.britishbutterflyaberrations. ... berrations

You seem to attract interesting butterflies. I'll never forget your white small pearl-bordered fritillary! I've never seen any ringlet variations!

Guy

PS - what a lovely dog!

Thanks for that Guy, It pays I think to check up now and again on what's been taken over the years I'll check what you've sent me.

The dog is very intelligent, at seven weeks he was sitting when told to do so, mind you , when biscuits are offered it's a good way to train them.

When I got shots of that White Pearl Bordered Fritillary it wasn't on it's own there was quite a few of them, that's why at first glance I thought it was just another White. I was told afterwards that because the year before had been so cold it'd affected the pupa, I don't know much about these things but i'll never forget that day Goldie

I do like a good variation in spots Goldie so your Ringlet image was great to see It's definitely an aberrant and Guy's suggestion looks good Won't be too long now!

Have a goodun
Wurzel

That's an unusual specimen, Goldie. Very odd to see the ocelli become blind at the lower end of the hindwing.

Many thanks , Wurzel and David for your posts, I've changed it's name to what Guy said Roll on Spring Goldie

Looking at the Small Heath Favourites reminded me of a photo I took way back on the 21st of May 2014.

I found the Small Heath mating, I'd always had problems before even to get shots of it and I'd never seen them like this before, I thought at first it was coming out of a Chrysalis , then my Husband pointed out to me with a smile the Antenna

I think I'll have to stop looking back, to many memories, but all good ones You can tell I'm ready for Spring Goldie

Great shot Goldie I can see why the other member of the pair escaped your notice to start with - I always feel a little sorry for the one left hanging upside down

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Goldie M wrote: ↑Tue Jan 31, 2023 11:07 am....I found the Small Heath mating, I'd always had problems before even to get shots of it and I'd never seen them like this before, I thought at first it was coming out of a Chrysalis , then my Husband pointed out to me with a smile the Antenna...

Only seen this species in cop a handful of times, Goldie, so it's not a common observation.

Judging by the respective sizes of the abdomens, the female looks to be in the upper part of the picture, with the male part-obscured below.

Hi! Wurzel, it's amazing what you find when you start to look back, I moan about not finding the Butterflies I want when I go out, then, when I look back
I think what are you bothered about you've already got some decent shots of them.

I did this very same thing with the Sliver Y moth, grumbled about never really catching it right, then once again I found a shot I'd taken in 2018 , I think at that time I didn't realise it was a Sliver Y, Experience is a good thing, having said that ( I hope it is a Sliver Y)

Hi! David, if that's so she's a cheeky Lady I must say I'm going to look back on my shots bit more now, then I can't moan has much. Goldie

That is a cracking shot of the Silver-Y Goldie You don't often get to see the topside as they vibrate away and even rarer to see the underside of the wings

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Great capture, Goldie. I can't recall even seeing the underside of a Silver Y, much less getting an image of it.

Thanks Wurzel and David. I usually just look for Butterflies but If I see a Moth I'll always take a shot of it, I was lucky with that one

The sky here has been lovely at night, my garden at the back faces South has you look to the left and West to the right, my living room faces the back garden so I see many Sun downs because the street lights are to the front of the house which gives me lovely views.

I took these shots on Friday night and it looks like I'll be seeing a few more Sun Downs if the weather keeps up Goldie

Lovely shots Godlie Red sky at night is supposed to be 'Shepherd's delight' (unless it's because his hut is on fire ) so you might be into the butterflies this weekend Goldie if the temperatures rise a little

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Goldie M wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 5:16 pmI took these shots on Friday night and it looks like I'll be seeing a few more Sun Downs if the weather keeps up Goldie.

Been some fabulous sunsets here too, Goldie. Calm, still evenings with a luscious red hue in the sky.

I'm sure we'll pay a hefty price for this indulgence. Three weeks of storms and high winds from mid February onwards, probably.

Hi! David, just to cheer you up a bit I looked at the forecast and the weather seems okay for a week at least That of course is for East Kent,

I've made a start on the Garden any way, I've found some Daff's that are looking good, I've also made a move on all the pots,( most had some Perennials in
so I've moved them into the garden) and I've just planted some seed in cartons into the Conservatory, so what ever the weather throws at us I've made a move

The weather is much milder here Wurzel but there's no Sun so I got stuck into the garden, I saw Siskin's on my feeders yesterday, I was pleased with that,
They were to quick for shots though Goldie

Great to hear of the Siskin's Goldie - they are pretty nippy Hopefully we'll break out of this cycle of mild then cold, mild then cold so the butterflies can get on and emerge properly

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Goldie M wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 11:33 amHi! David, just to cheer you up a bit I looked at the forecast and the weather seems okay for a week at least That of course is for East Kent

Yes, it looks pretty good for the next week or so, Goldie. Hopefully there'll be a few more like you who'll get cracking in their gardens, meaning that shed doors will be opened and hibernating butterflies given the opportunity to take to the wing.