www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

These pictures certainly do "do the talking"!!!

Fantastic experience for you, well done. The mating shot is superb.

I can see why the owner/location of where these beauties are, whants to keep it hush hush too.

Thank you all so much for your very kind comments, it really was a dream come true to see that, and I am of course EXTREMELY lucky... what a privilege

As you can imagine this has been a massive highlight in an already incredible year.

Best of luck to everyone on their individual quests to find some Long-tailed Blues.

My very best wishes to you all.

B, rex

lee3764 wrote:Hi there,

Hells teeth......all these in just 1 garden too!! Definitely a day you won't forget! I shall not forget our trip to Kent last weekend either but to photograph all these in the comfort of a friend's garden! Just how many Long-tailed Blues migrated over here England) in total? 1000+ in my estimation as almost all would never have been noticed due to their size & confusion with other blues flying at the same time (mid-August). I wouldn't worry in the slightest that they are not quite perfect condition!
Well done!
Lee Slaughter (Cornwall).

Hi Lee,

I read about your adventure to Kent - cracking stuff! Like everyone else I was so pleased (and relieved) that your mission was successful after travelling all that way.

Hi

Your diary never ceases to amaze me Your Meadow Brown with the sun behind is stunning, but 3 LTB in one shot That is just greedy Lovely photos and a great diary. I will be happy with just one Long Tailed Blue

jackz432r wrote:Hi

Your diary never ceases to amaze me Your Meadow Brown with the sun behind is stunning, but 3 LTB in one shot That is just greedy Lovely photos and a great diary. I will be happy with just one Long Tailed Blue

I could say the same about your diary Jack It was more luck than greed I literally couldn't believe my eyes! I doubt I'll ever see anything like that again. I hope you get to see an LTB (or more) before it sadly comes to an end.

Just caught up with your diary Rex.

Wow, what can I say that hasn't already been said other than to totally agree with all the comments, brilliant stuff and great photos

Cheers,

Neil.

Like Neil, I've only just caught up with your diary, B Rex. The picture with a mating pair of long-tailed blues and a second male in flight is just remarkable - and the fact you took it in the UK is, as others have said, historic.

Back up your originals!!

Guy

Like Neil and Guy I've only just caught up with your diary Rex. I totally agree with all previous comments, brilliant photos and a first for the British Isles, great stuff!

Mike

millerd wrote:History in the making...

Dave

Shouldn't that be "History in mat-ing"


[Loving the whole LTB story even though I can't be part of it]
Chris

Thank you so much Neil, Guy, Mike and Chris, don't worry Guy I've backed them all up I've only been a member of UKB for a short while and everyone has made me feel very welcome. I really do appreciate all of the kind and generous comments I've received, thank you everyone

I had a splendid day with Sussex Kipper and Brian Henham (great to meet you Brian ) yesterday. We managed to locate some male Long-tailed Blues, strangely not a female to be seen.
My wish to see a much fresher LTB was granted Last week has been unforgettable.
B,saurus

Retrospective Diary Pt 5: AUGUST 2013

THE INVASION!

After all of that wonderful Long-tailed Blue excitement it was time to return to my look back over what has been a wonderful season. For me August was about the invasion of the "other" migrants that periodically visit our shores namely Clouded Yellows and Painted Ladies. And what a welcome return it was, I'd not seen a Clouded Yellow since the last influx in 2009 and I was determined to try and make the most of it. Luckily this turned out to be the best year for Clouded Yellow and Painted Ladies since 2009.

Not having seen a Helice CY in 2009 I was delighted to finally catch up to not only one - but by the end of August I'd had 7 sightings of this lovely variation on the theme of Yellow.
Some of the Clouded Yellows were still in tip top condition.
The other welcome visitor (the Painted Lady) did not occur in 2009 numbers but were a pretty regular feature on my travels.
I was very pleased to see Peacocks doing rather well this year too.
Almost on the opposite end of the scale for vibrancy and colour I sought out the cryptic master of disguise the Grayling doing what it does best.......blending right in
Common Blues also did quite well in my local area.
For some reason I didn't get to see many Brown Argus this year, probably because I didn't visit my usual spots much. I did still manage to get a few of photos along the way.
August is the time to start looking for Silver Spotted Skippers and this year was a bumper one, I don't think I've ever seen so many over such a wide area before, GREAT NEWS!
Small Tortoiseshell's also had a great year, I saw so many it reminded me of when I was a kid when they seemed to be everywhere.
A report on the month of August wouldn't be complete without mentioning the Brown Hairstreak. This lovely butterfly usually heralds the beginning of the end, however this season had some late surprises to spring upon us in the form of the Long-tailed Blue. At the time I thought that the Brownies would make a splendid end to one of the best years in ages.

Just when I thought it was safe to hang up my camera!............. Well you know the rest.
And that was August.

B,saurus

Fantastic shots Rex that first Painted Lady is stunning You've brought back the memories of a brilliant month

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Wurzel wrote:Fantastic shots Rex that first Painted Lady is stunning You've brought back the memories of a brilliant month

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thank you Wurzel, that Painted Lady shot was pure luck, there was a dense row of trees and brambles behind giving me an 'almost' black background! August was just fantastic wasn't it I wish we could live it all over again.

Amongst all of your wonderful photographs B'saurus, it's the helice Clouded Yellow that I admire the most. When I saw your earlier posting of a helice photo I so hoped that I'd find one too, I thought it was beautiful. It really inspired me to find one and in the end a helice found me (even though it was a rather odd looking helice!)

Great photographs

Best wishes

Hoggers

Hoggers wrote:Amongst all of your wonderful photographs B'saurus, it's the helice Clouded Yellow that I admire the most. When I saw your earlier posting of a helice photo I so hoped that I'd find one too, I thought it was beautiful. It really inspired me to find one and in the end a helice found me (even though it was a rather odd looking helice!)

Great photographs

Best wishes

Hoggers

Hoggers, I've been so lucky with the Helice CY's this year, after seeing the first one I didn't think I would find anymore. Imagine my surprise when I saw a further 5 in the space of two or three weeks! Two of them looked very fresh indeed and I was lucky enough to get a few photos. We've been a bit spoiled with migrants here in the southeast this year.
I must commend you on your fantastic diary and wonderful photos, your set of Long-tailed Blue pictures were just amazing! Not to mention all the other stunning photos you've taken this year.

I'm really pleased that you managed to find a Helice CY and get some photos, what a great and memorable year it has been.

Praise from a phptograper as good as yourself is great praise indeed, thank you so much for all of your kind very and generous comments.

ATB

B,saurus

Great assortment of photos Rex. My favourite being the Peacock on Fleabane, beautiful.

All the best, Nick.

Some really great photos there,

I really like the Painted Lady against the black background, nice one

Cheers,

Neil.

Thank you very much indeed Nick and Neil You're most kind.