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White Admiral - Favourite Photo of 2020

Week 19

So the Weather forecasts for this weekend seemed to suggest that the 2021 season would be kicking off but as the week rolled on those forecasts became steadily worse for most of us in the West! Oh well at least there are a couple of weeks left of the ‘Favourites’ – in fact this is the penultimate week so make sure that you’ve got your Overall Favourite ready!

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened 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.


Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

All that is missing from my favourite White Admiral photograph is a left antenna.


http://eastsussexwanderer.blogspot.co.uk

Not the best picture in the world but a very memorable White Admiral

One of my favourite butterflies, always photogenic. Luckily I don't have to travel too far to get them, being five minutes walk from my sons house. Always guaranteed at Green Lane Wood, Wiltshire in June.

I only saw White Admirals on the one occasion in 2020, when we took the 45 minute drive down to Oversley Wood near Alcester in mid June. It was a warm sunny day and we saw half a dozen White Admirals, all of which were flitting in and out of the shade and usually settling in the most awkward spots to get a photo. The two shots below were the only ones I managed without intervening foliage or shadows across them.
Cheers,

Neil

Last year I managed a shot of the White Admiral in East Blean Woods, needless to say, it was the 21st of July and the Admiral was flying low and landing quite near, I decided it was not in very good condition, on inspection I saw it had lost quite a lot of wing, I still managed to get it on it's good side so being as it was the only one i saw, I've posted it. Goldie

Saw a couple in Bernwood Forest on 20th June, but I wasn't able to get close to them. My only other opportunity was during my visit to Fermyn Wood for Purple Emperor on 25th June.

I had a couple of hours to kill having arrived early and spent much of it watching this majestic and graceful species:

I didn't see that many White Admirals in 2020, the most (and last of the year, for me) was one morning I met up with Pete at Pamber Forest to look for camilla eggs. It was hotter than the sun that day and we had called it a day by 11.30.

White Admiral

I only made two trips to Bentley Wood during Emperor season this year as the weather shifted just at the wrong time with a few more cloudy and windy days – not great for Emperors. I did see a few but there weren’t any grounded sightings for me hence my choice of this White Admiral as my Favourite as it was my consolation for missing out on Hid Nibbs – and mighty fine consolation it was indeed. I reckon the under wing pattern of this species is one of the finest that there is and I was chuffed when it fed in such a way as to expose its under wing.
Have a goodun

Wurzel