www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Good selection of photos. The in context shot really gives a flavour of the site

Cheers Wurzel. I 'went out anyway' today a scored rather well ( only 11c though ).
Thanks Katrina. Somewhere I have an image of a steam train in that exact spot,
that would add even more context to what is now a butterfly haven.

I will have to split today's expeditions into am & pm again.

This morning the sun and cloud ratio was perfect, but it was only 11c.
So I headed to the local Cuckoo Trail more in hope than expectation. Surprise came quickly!
Two OT's were patrolling in the sheltered cutting, so it was a case of waiting by some Herb Robert,
which worked a treat, and keeping an eye on the sky. Cloud cover eventually obliged.
Some fairly unusual shots were obtained, OT's on a dandelion, high on a sapling, and one which
paused on Herb Robert flowers only to be trapped there by a passing cloud!

After lunch I drove over to Horseshoe Plantation to see if any Green Hairstreaks were about.
Eventually two were seen, one perfect, the other with some scale loss. Typically after whizzing
around at high speed both settled for a reasonable period, to allow me time to kneel down then
focus the camera.
The only other species present were a couple of Specklies.

Not bad for a cool day.

It's always worth a punt so long as the sun is shining Trevor - and you definitely did well with those cracking OT shots Nice set of Greenstreaks too

Have a goodun

Wurzel

That first Hairstreak is a lovely well-marked individual, worthy of the name!

Cheers,

Dave

Cracking Orange-tips and Green Hairstreaks in your last coupleof posts Trevor

Cheers,

Neil.

Nice to see those Green Hairstreaks, Trevor. Things look to be catching up now.

Very striking vibrant Green Hairstreak examples Trevor. Thank you for sharing those.

Many thanks everyone. Just 1 Green Hairstreak today, and something rare and exciting.

As I was photographing the sole GH seen today, a woman walking along the main path
called out " anything exciting ". I called her over and showed her the GH.
It transpired she was a botanist and offered to show me some Early Spider Orchids
she had found. I was not expecting to see such a tiny plant, they are minute!
Fortunately several were in flower. Anyone unaware of their existence would not spot them,
and walk straight past them, or worse tread on them. As we walked back to the GH site
11 plants were counted.
An unexpected and interesting morning.

The Holly Blues defied the cold this morning, especially during sunny spells,
For a change some even landed low down, but unlike those near Heathrow
none would completely open up.
A far from accurate count suggested about 6 males, and 1 female were present.
A small White was the only other butterfly to brave the cold.

Have you been taking lessons from Dave Trevor? Cracking Holly Blues Great to see the Spider Orchids

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Cheers Wurzel, I could do with Dave's expertise. My local Holly Blues seldom
come within camera range, and when they do they don't open right up.
Having said that they are having a brilliant Spring, with plenty of sightings.

Below is an impeccably behaved Wiltshire specimen, a gorgeous female.

Beautiful shot!

Thanks Katrina. That image is a little historic, but it's my best Holly Blue shot to date.

Speaking as a connoisseur I'd say that is a top-notch female Holly Blue, Trevor! I may have dozens of Holly Blue images, but they rarely sit on flowers for me...

Cheers,

Dave

Thanks Dave. I think that was the only occasion I've seen a Holly Blue on a flower.

A very quick visit to the Holly Blue patch this morning found this waiting for them......

Those male holly blues are a gorgeous colour Trevor - I must spend some more time trying to get photos like that.

You can certainly see why early collectors called them Azure Blues!

Crickey Trevor with that Holly Blue shot you're giving Dave a run for his money That's a cracker of a shot

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Ben. They are a lovely shade of blue, especially when fresh.
Cheers Paul. I imagine I could bump into you in Sussex next week!
Thanks Wurzel, everything went right for that shot for a change.

In the mixed weather this morning, a sunny break allowed a quick visit to the Cuckoo Trail.
Amazingly no Specklies were flying, but two Green Veined Whites, two male Holly Blues
and a Small White were seen. The weather then nosedived.

Pearl BF's next week ?