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Marsh Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2020

Week 10

There are only a few chocolates left in the advent calendar now! The morbidly obese gentleman with a penchant for red velvet and furs and a talent for reverse burglary is prepping his Reindeer even though Christmas has been cancelled Still here's the 'Favourite' thread to take you mind off the single day festivity

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos as then it will be easier to keep track of things? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As in previous years details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome as would any accompanying stories and anecdotes or other observations of behaviour and interesting other points.

Just a reminder - it might be a good idea to select your Overall Favourite Butterfly Photo of 2020 now so that you’ve got something to post when the series of threads culminates in 20 weeks time…


Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

Another easy choice for me. Despite seeing adults in Hampshire and Wiltshire in the spring, the summer discovery of 9 larval nests not far from where I live was a highlight of the year.

My favourite UK Butterfly,
https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/
I just love the rich colours in the first picture , Male,
in the second photo  the colours are a little less so, Female ? Seen at a very small site ,Lydlinch Common, Dorset.

I am going larval as well with this one, a prickly post-hibernation assemblage catching some pre-lockdown rays in central Lincolnshire, early March.

Medard wrote: ↑Tue Dec 22, 2020 8:50 amI just love the rich colours in the first picture , Male

Agreed, Jim. That's a beautifully marked individual.

One of the more approachable species. Good numbers at Hazelbury Common, Wiltshire from early May

18th May was my Marshie day. I visited three sites which in my head form an equilateral triangle with Salisbury plumb in the middle (though I suspect a glance at a map will prove me wildly wrong!). I started at Cotley Hill, moved on later to Martin Down and finished the day at Bentley Wood - Marsh Fritillaries were around in all three locations with Martin Down providing the best numbers.At Bentley, they were mingling with the Pearls and the odd Small Pearl (a tri-Fritillary visit!) but they were by far the most approachable of the three species.

Dave

Marsh Fritillary

I was really spoilt for choice with this one as I saw so many Marshies from several different sites. In the end I went with this one as I was really pleased with how it came out all things considered… It hails from Martin Down and was taken early in their flight and during Lockdown. As my school was closed during those days when I didn’t have to go in and teach the Keyworker’s children I would try and get a couple of hours in early from 7 til 9 and then work on a few extra hours in the evening which meant that I could get out for several hours during day when I could get my exercise/butterflies as well as having my lunch. This was the schedule that I’d followed on this particular day and things were going really well until I got a call from work asking if I had access to Teams/Zoom for a video call about a staffing issue…This particular shot was therefore taken with one hand whilst the other held my phone to my ear so that I could listen into the Zoom meeting through my Deputy Heads phone and I was actually concentrating and listening intently when this butterfly appeared. I made a very relevant point and whilst still conversing leant over, clicked the camera once and then carried on walking and walking/participating in the meeting. It came out alright for a one handed, one take not really paying attention shot…in fact I think I might have to use this style more often judging by the results!
Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

This species is fairly common close to my home and seeing them involves either a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute drive.

They were out remarkably early (10th May was the day I saw my first specimens) and they had all but blown themselves out by the end of the month: