www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Meet my gardening companion.

For three afternoons last week, plus this afternoon I have been sorting out
a weedy flower bed. On each occasion I was joined by a Robin, close by at first,
but gaining confidence over the days until today when I could almost touch him.
As I was kneeling down this afternoon it was a very close encounter indeed!

Cute.

They really can be remarkably tame, especially when there's an expectation of food.

I notice mine stays relatively close once he's got used to his daily offering of suet pellets in winter.

They're almost as opportunistic as cats Trevor My father in-law renamed the one that came into his garden one year and the name stuck so even now I find myself calling one Eric

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks David. I don't know about tame, but that Robin was certainly fearless.

Cheers Wurzel. Eric is a suitable name for the Robin, or should it be Erica ?

Now for an omission from late June. How I missed this Purple Emperor shot
at the time I don't know, but I failed to post it at the time. It was also my
best close up of the PE season.

If it's an Erica perhaps we could rename it Heather? Cracking shot of His Nibbs - how did that one slip through the net?

Have a goodun

Wurzel

trevor wrote: ↑Thu Nov 30, 2023 8:39 pm...Now for an omission from late June. How I missed this Purple Emperor shot
at the time I don't know...

Nor do I, Trevor. Glad you've put the matter to rights though. Excellent image.

Many thanks Wurzel & David.

This afternoon I once again had the assistance of my festive friend in the garden.

I'll take this opportunity to wish everyone on here a GREAT CHRISTMAS and a BUTTERFLY FULL 2024.

All the best,
Trevor.

trevor wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 8:14 pm...This afternoon I once again had the assistance of my festive friend in the garden,

Doesn't look under-nourished, Trevor.

All the best for the festive season to you too.

Nadolig Llawen.

Looks like that Eric is set for the winter - hopefully he's actually as plump as he looks and its not all hot air

Have cracking Christmas and and Brilliant Butterfly Year

Wurzel

I had a Red Admiral visit my garden on Weds 24th Jan.
Despite my camera being fairly handy it escaped without a shot

Good for you, Trevor.

We have a couple of mild, sunny days forecast so there may be more about.

Still counts Trevor Always good to get off the mark and the first of the season is always a welcome sight, fingers crossed it'll be a great season

Have a goodun

Wurzel

trevor wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 8:22 pmI had a Red Admiral visit my garden on Weds 24th Jan.
Despite my camera being fairly handy it escaped without a shot

Nice one, Trevor. I've never known a year when so many of us have had January sightings.

Thanks Wurzel & David. Still only the one sighting so far in 2024.
But my Daphne ' Odora ' is in full flower now so it just needs a warm,
sunny day for it to attract a butterfly or two. ( usually a Comma ).

It has taken a while to select my favourite shot from 2023.
Although I posted a shot of this Adonis Blue at the time,
the one below has not been seen before.

Beautiful, Trevor. It's absolutely radiant.

No wonder it's your favourite.

Thanks David.

Around lunchtime today I had the pleasure of seeing a female Red Admiral visit my towering Camelia.
In no hurry to leave she moved between the Camelia blooms, garden wall and fence, to bask.
Although Sunny the wind was almost gale force at times.

Perhaps a sign that Spring is not too far away!

Well, it’s certainly a start, Trevor.

What an impressive Camellia you’ve got there.

Great way to start the photography season off Trevor, and a ab.bialbata as well - surely that should count double

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Certainly looks like spring with those fabulous camelia flowers, Trevor.

Not surprised that the Red Admiral was attracted to it.

Many thanks Mark, Wurzel & David. It was good to use the camera for butterflies again.

Movement within a Camellia bloom this afternoon gave away the position of this Red Admiral
( possibly the same one ? ). No doubt using the flower for shelter in the cool cloudy conditions.