www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Monday 5th May 2014

Today I thought I'd take a leisurely drive across West Sussex into Hampshire,South on the A3 to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park.A trek up to the summit on Butser Hill,down the North side to Rake Bottom,a locality that I have always enjoyed.

Pictures can never do justice to how steep this actually is,there is an easier gradient that flanks the Western ridge...... There are two main Duke Of Burgundy colonies here,one at the top and one at the bottom of the valley,although on a day like today they will spread out across the lower parts of the valley so the colonies become less distinct. The whole valley bottom was absolutely teaming with butterfly life,Grizzled's and Dingy Skippers aplenty.I tend to photograph all I see,or can get near,to check for aberrations later.

Along the valley bottom,where the wind eases"hot spots" occur,where all manor of butterfly species pick up when the sun arrives. A couple of Grizzled Skippers I'm forever hunting for the tarasaberration of these,no luck yet.
Dingy Skippers gloriously all over the place. My first Small Heaths and Common Blues of the season Another amazing showing by Green Hairstreaks,some as fresh as daisies,the frequency of encounters grew as I reached the second area of Dukes at the Northern end of the valley. The second main population of Dukes live here,and a rather large population Green Hairstreaks. Although,to be honest as I've already mentioned, they were all along the valley.
So,hoards of Grizzled and Dingy Skippers,probably 30/40 Dukes,hoards of Green Hairstreaks,Brimstones,Orange-tips,1 small heath and one Common Blue.A possible Painted Lady,but wouldn't settle.
The Hampshire South Downs are waking up nicely and a joy to be there it was,cant wait to retire!

Thanks

Great report Dave - I like reading about sites I've not visited and this seems to have a great range of species. Small Heath and Common Blues aren't out here yet but it looks like they're getting closer . That Green Hairstrak shot is an absolute cracker

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wednesday 7th May 2014

A break in the clouds,quickly legged it across to a small meadow in Buchan Park where a Female Brimstone came along to start egg-laying on a young alder. I then watched a male approach as the female was still ovipositing,only to witness a remarkable display of repelling postures to negate the advances of the tenacious male.
It all seemed like a whirl of madness from the male until I got home and studied the shots..... The female finally took to flight and they both crashed into the undergrowth,remarkable. 1/3200 shutter speeds are amazing,exposure comp. down a stop.180 macro at about 5 feet.
Sometimes animal behaviour is just as interesting 100yards from your doorstep!
Thanks

Amazing sequence of action shots - truly remarkable.

Thanks Pauline,

I think I passed you at Butser on Monday,sorry your day was saddened by your anxiety with those youths!

I'll say hello next time I see you.

Dave

Amazing sequence, Dave .

For me the winner is No.4, but I would like to see a selection added to the Species-Specific Album in due course. I will be sending a PM with a list .

Vince

Those pictures are quite surreal, Dave. They freeze moments you never quite see when you're there, because it all looks an energetic blur. I love them.

Guy

Great set of photos Dave from the 5th and 7th of May. You obviously know how to use your photo gear!
Its good to see the context photos - they set the scene well.
Chris

Absolutely magnificent sequence, Dave. Possibly the best I've ever seen on this site.

My personal favourite is number 4 showing both sexes with wings open.

Thanks for a) the effort you put in to get them, and b) taking the time to share them.

Wonderful.

Fantastic detail for on the wing shots! Wonderful sequence of photos. I like number 6 the best.

Buchan Boy wrote:Sometimes animal behaviour is just as interesting 100yards from your doorstep!

Indeed! Absolutely stunning photos - best I've seen of Brimstones in flight. Superb!

Cheers,

- Pete

Thankyou Guys,and Guy!

Truth be told,the power of a 7D is awesome,and I'm still learning more everyday,that sequence of shots took 400 photographs in about 3 minutes,having the Female in one position whilst she repulsed the assault was also a bonus.

I'd been practising with exposure compensation for a while,and quickly learnt that whites need nearly a full stop down to not over expose in full sunlight.

The best thing though is not worrying about image quality at 800/1200 ISO,rediculous a few years ago.You can keep very fast shutter speeds in not so great light.Brilliant.

Personally,I love No 6,theres a certain menace going on there!

Thanks again.

Dave

Hi Dave, where were you when I needed you?? I am always reassured when I see folk with cameras as I have always found them to be genuine but I thought you'd be long gone. If I'd known you were still there I'd have been a lot happier. Great shots btw, love the Grizzled Skipper and the Common Blue.

May I add my appreciation of your 'action' shots. In the case of Brimstones, they also provide a rare opportunity to view the uppersides. Splendid stuff

Mike

Can you get much better than this...special!!! Superb Dave, it inspires.

Bill

"When in doubt...venture out"

I have to agree, stunning Brimstone photos!

Best wishes,

Lee

What can I say about the Brimstone sequence that hasn't already been said, fantastic images, well done!

Cheers,

Neil.

Many thanks for all your kind words, glad to contribute to this wondrous website.

Friday 9th May 2014

Had a couple of hours in my local park today,periods of sunshine,windy,but no showers luckily.

The local Odonata is starting to move from the ponds to terra firma,then to the air,Buchan Park's SSSI is based around the marvellous array of Dragonflies and Damselflies it posseses.

Large Red Damseflies are away quite well. But great joy arrived when I spotted my first Downy Emerald of the year,quite a distance from where she emerged as well.These are a speciality of this area and emerge earlier than its cousin The Brilliant Emerald,which it shares habitat with.

Quite difficult to get close to in normal circumstances,so I'm glad I got these. In upcoming years I'm going to devote proper time to studying these around this area,its always cool to confirm presence early in the season.

On to Orthoptera,and I'd lost touch with the colony of Slender Groundhoppers up here,but bumped into them again,i only came across two though,but confirmed presence again. There were also some butterflies around.
This Peacock was looking a tad weary Brimstones on the Bluebells,always a delight Green-veined White on Garlic Mustard Still struggling with Holly Blues this year,not managed a photo yet,only seen two!
The Downy Emerald more than consoled me though,happy with that.
Thanks

Been doing a bit of catching up and really glad I did - that Brimstone sequence is just amazing Wow!

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Saturday 17th May 2014

It started sunny,cloud came over and it got quite humid,a first for this year so far I reckon,humidity that is.

Local patch stuff,checking on the meadows and woody edges down my Rusper Road bit.Was hoping for a first Brown Argus but no joy.

But there was other stuff around. The first Small Coppers and Common Blues have just starting emerging in my neck of the woods......... Cool