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That is a really interesting sequence Trevor . Perhaps even more intriguing is how Bob knows they smell of chocolate?

Pauline wrote: ↑Sat May 14, 2022 2:39 pm That is a really interesting sequence Trevor . Perhaps even more intriguing is how Bob knows they smell of chocolate?

Bob just knows, let's leave it at that

Really interesting sequence Trevor - if only I could get close enough to check for the smell of chocolate I don't know if it's just me or is the one of the hind wings of the male much smaller than the other?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Many thanks everyone for the comments on the Wall pair,
and particularly to Bob for the interesting info.

Yesterday, 14th May, in almost perfect conditions, I drove up to Kithurst Hill
on my way to Chichester. More female ' Dukes ' were seen on this visit than last week.
And where most Dingy Skippers last week were worn, yesterday some fresh ones were seen.
The major frustration of the visit occurred when I spotted a fresh looking Green Hairstreak
perched perfectly on a Cowslip flower. You've guessed it, it took off as I had it lined up on the screen!.

Trevor.

Interesting sequence of the Wall Brown pair Trevor.

trevor wrote: ↑Sun May 15, 2022 8:06 am ...The major frustration of the visit occurred when I spotted a fresh looking Green Hairstreak
perched perfectly on a Cowslip flower. You've guessed it, it took off as I had it lined up on the screen!...

Don't tell me, you ended up with a cracking shot of the Cowslip...I've got loads like that over the years, sometimes including a blurry butterfly right at the edge of the image, sometimes just the flower

Cracking DoB photos

Cheers,

Neil.

Cheers Neil, on this occasion I hadn't got as far as a shot.
Why does it only happen when everything is looking good for a perfect shot!.

That law again!,
Trevor.

This afternoon I decided to stay local, with a visit to the old railway.
A first for me was a pair of mating Speckled Woods, right by the path.
Also seen was a very fine female Green Veined White, a fully open
Small White and female Large White, boldly marked.
Icing on the cake came in the form of a Holly Blue on Field Buttercup
and a Male Brimstone. Not a bad haul for one afternoon.

Trevor.

Great selection, Trevor. The female Large White is particularly striking - it almost looks like one someone might have brought back with them from a holiday in the Canaries...

Cheers,

Dave

Cheers Dave. I was willing that Large White to open up further,
but it never did, so I have about six almost identical shots. What a beauty.

Hope the foot is on the mend,
Trevor.

Speckies in cop isn't something you see every day Trevor That Large White is a bit special as well

Have a goodun

Wurzel

I enjoyed the narrative with photos about the tangled up Wall butterflies Trevor and the mystery to it. As I was reading everything sequentially I also enjoyed the mystery subsequently being solved by Bob - particularly the chocolate aroma learning.

badgerbob wrote: ↑Sat May 14, 2022 8:17 am Morning Trevor. It's certainly a case of the male trying to seduce the female with his scent scales, which have a slight whiff of chocolate believe it or not!! The male will try to circle around the female flapping like mad sending his scent scales over her, so I guess in the course of all this he got tangled up with her and got more than he bargained for. It's not just human females that like chocolate!!

Yesterday afternoon I went to see the local ( to me ) population of Small Pearl Bordered Fritillaries.
When I arrived a mixture of PBF and SPBF were busy nectaring on Bugle, each giving the flower
spikes a thorough once over. It was good to have the pleasant company of Katrina during my visit,
and later on we enjoyed watching the spectacle of SPBF looking for somewhere to roost. Their behaviour
before finding a suitable bed for the night was interesting to watch as they examined the bracken tops
before selecting one. Of the two butterflies in view, the female chose to roost on a bluebell seed head,
and short while later a male went down on bracken, both closing their wings promptly after landing.
This morning i wondered how those two roosting SPBF fared after last nights thunderstorm and heavy rain.

Trevor.

Beautiful shots

Cracking Small Pearls Trevor I can't bring myself to go looking for them in Bentley in case I can't find any this year

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Looks like I should have stayed a bit longer Trevor - I wondered if you might appear! Those are terrific shots of the SPBF and I'm very pleased it'll be a fortnight or so before you get to see my humble selection as there's no comparison...

Cheers,

Dave

Going back to the 'Chocolate' scented scent scales, I picked this info up a few years ago from the brilliant Butterflies of Britain and Ireland by Jeremy Thomas and Richard Lewington. It's mentioned in that book so when I saw the courtship one day, and there was nobody else around, I got down on my knees as close as I could and I actually had a whiff of the chocolate!! Fascinating stuff and who knew that watching butterflies could make you hungry!!

Many thanks Butterflyboy.

Cheers Wurzel. I'm over the moon that my fears for the local SPBF were unfounded.
Many including myself had doubts that they would reappear this year. If anything
there are more flying this year than last.

Thanks Dave, Sorry to have missed you too. Pleased you liked my shots.
I am sure we'll meet at the end of June!!.

badgerbob wrote: ↑Fri May 20, 2022 7:01 am Going back to the 'Chocolate' scented scent scales, I picked this info up a few years ago from the brilliant Butterflies of Britain and Ireland by Jeremy Thomas and Richard Lewington. It's mentioned in that book so when I saw the courtship one day, and there was nobody else around, I got down on my knees as close as I could and I actually had a whiff of the chocolate!! Fascinating stuff and who knew that watching butterflies could make you hungry!!

Thanks for that Bob. Over the years you must have developed your own method
of getting close to a Wall Brown, something I have yet to master, but to get so
close to one to be able smell the chocolate scent is a remarkable achievement.

For interest I have sorted out a few more shots of the tangled pair from 11th May.

Lovely Small Pearls, Trevor a species that I've not seen for a few years now. Interesting shots of the tangled Walls, that's an odd one for sure

Thanks Mike. I was very pleased to see the return of the SPBF, and the site
looks in great condition for them. I was grateful to Bob Eade for his explanation
of what the Wall pair were up to.
Looking forward to more French delights from you.

Trevor.