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Great images, Katrina. SSB's are amongst the most photogenic of all UK species and you have captured them beautifully.

I joined the party at Ditchling Common today. It was a pleasure to spend the afternoon with Trevor, Dave, Dave, Colin, Mark, James , Vince and many other familiar faces and some new. (including Maximus)The Black Hairstreaks were coming down and posing for us regularly and there were many happy enthusiasts in the sun.
Also seen were Meadow Browns, Speckled Woods and Large Skippers.

Cracking shots Katrina of a species I've yet to see, though Ditchling is still a bit too far

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Nice shots there, Katrina - probably the most photographed butterflies in the country today! We should have arranged a visitors' book for the day!

Dave

Lovely to see you again today, and you obtained some wonderful images.
I'm glad your visit was worthwhile.

Best wishes,
Trevor

Great little posers aren't they Katrina I can just picture the orderly queues forming behind each one

It was nice to meet you yesterday, Katrina, and you got some lovely images

Mike

I don't blame you for following the crowd, Katrina. Not only was this rare and normally difficult butterfly present in unusually large numbers, but its propensity to 'sit' on bracken at this site means that photographing it appears far easier than at many (if not all) of its more northerly locations.

I visited Knepp today and saw an astonishing number of Purple Emperors flying. I didn't count them but they were so common as to become part of the normal background. I only found one on the ground and for just a brief time, probably due to my late start. Also seen were Purple Hairstreaks, Commas, White Admirals, Large Skippers, Meadow Browns and a Red Admiral.

You're off the mark, Katrina !, at possibly the most exciting time of the season.
Chiddingfold will be my second home this week. .

Trevor.

Katrina - Brown Hairstreaks then massive numbers of Purple Emperors. You must be over the moon.

Katrina - I meant Black Hairstreak - not Brown as per my last post. I am getting a bit ahead of myself.

The season does seem to be going rapidly in that direction!

Great stuff Katrina Emperors so common they became just part of the background

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Thanks Wurzel, it certainly was unusual to see so many

I had a wonderful morning at Botany Bay. On arrival I met Andrew, then later Trevor and several other like-minded enthusiasts.
I saw at least 7 Emperors on the ground although not all stayed long. Thanks to my companions for pointing out one of the Emperors had reduced markings.
I had been hoping to get my first all four wings purple shot - I practiced and managed with a damaged Emperor and kind of did but not sure it counts due to the lack of wing material!

Well done Katrina- you couldn't ask for better underside shots and that ab. is what I'd hoped to see Pity about the 'broken' purple one else I reckon you would have nailed it Maybe you should practice on a one with 4 wings next time as you've clearly got the hang of it

Thanks Pauline. Mainly they were not opening their wings much today but I will have another go sometime I’m sure

Great set of shots Katrina, they do look kind of familiar

Have a goodun

Wurzel

Very nice Katrina, it was a great morning.