You're probably right, Paul - it took me a few moments to work out what I was watching. I was very grateful to be able to get close enough for a whole series of shots - it was a memorable insect.
(I see there is a similar one in the aberrations part of the species folder, but with no particular name for it.)
Cheers, Kev - I was pleased with the Small Heath images, blurred though they are. Worth another try, and it just shows what hidden qualities there are to a distinctly overlooked and underphotographed species.
For once, the favourable weather forecast for
Friday 27th May had been almost unchanged all week. Sunshine was promised, reasonable temperatures, and a bit of a breeze. I had seen the publicity Butterfly Conservation had recently given to the (worst-kept) secret location of the reintroduction of the Chequered Skipper in Fineshade Wood on the eastern extremes of Northamptonshire, so decided to head over for the day. Guided tours at 1100 were advertised, so not knowing the site at all, I decided to join.
Nearly 40 other like-minded folk had had the same idea, all spurred on by the good weather window, and nearly swamping our guide (Ellie) who had not had more than a dozen on previous days. The logic to the guided aspect was clear - to try and keep people from wandering randomly around this sensitive site and potentially ruining the habitat. Since the location was effectively public knowledge anyway, people would have been turning up in unorganised fashion.
Somehow, this large group of souls was managed along the hard track around the perimeter of the introduction area. We were in luck - Chequered Skippers were seen in two separate spots on the route. However, getting photos was tricky, and unfortunately some of the better positions were monopolised to some extent. After the walk had ended I returned to the first "hotspot" to find some folk still in the same location as an hour or more earlier.
I did my best from a distance within the limitations of my camera, its zoom facility and my ability to hold the thing still.
I had one bit of luck when one butterfly landed very briefly right in front of me, so there were a few acceptable shots of a brand new UK species for me (my second this year after the surprise Large Tortoiseshell). They are very fond of bramble flowers!
Other species seen: Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Holly Blue, Orange Tip.
A very worthwhile day out, and our guide was excellent. Hopefully the precautions taken to safeguard the large areas of the wood from public footfall will help the continued rise in butterfly numbers, and lead to the eventual re-colonisation of adjacent parts of Rockingham Forest, this species' former stronghold in England.
Dave