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White Admiral - Favourite Photo of 2021

Week 19

The penultimate week! Where did the winter go and why do we still have it’s dreadful weather? Oh well at least spring should be on its way and we can start the prep work for the ‘Favourite 2022’ section!

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.

Have a goodun and stay safe

Wurzel

My favourite White Admiral photograph records probably my best butterfly moment of the season when I was able to observe the emergence of the imago from the pupa, in the wild. I had monitored the development of this camilla since it was a 5th instar larva and on its 19th day as a pupa, I was settled in for the final drama. Sat just a few feet away with flask of tea, sandwiches and snicker bars and binoculars around my neck, I was prepared to witness the moment of eclose, however long it took.

If you wish to see other images of the development of the pupa, then go to my blog and click on the featured post entitled "A glimpse into the metamorphosis of the White Admiral"


http://eastsussexwanderer.blogspot.co.uk

Excellent, DB. A rare and precious event.

Wonderful photos downland boy. How special to be able to witness that event.

Sarah.

My favourite White Admiral photo is special as it's the first one I have ever seen. I saw it in Alice Holt Forest on 2nd July '21. Sadly I didn't get an underside photo although I did watch it taking minerals from the ground.

Sarah

Hi David & Sarah,

Thanks for your appreciative comments. There is already plenty of fresh leaf growth on the honeysuckle in the wood....not long to go before the caterpillar search begins anew.

All the best, Nigel.

My favorite White Admiral of 2021,peeking over the bushes, the Sweet Track, Shapwick Heath NNR , Somerset.
plus one for luck.

https://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/

White Admirals apparently had a poor 2021 in Warwickshire and the only ones that I saw were a few at Oversley Wood in early July. As usual, they were mostly flitting and gliding along the rides and when they did settle it would be well inside large clumps of bramble.
The best shot that I managed is probably the one below in which I like the soft edges resulting from taking it through a gap in the brambles.
Cheers,

Neil

White Admiral

This was possibly the hardest choice of all that I had to make this year…not! Despite seeing several White Admirals over the course of the summer I actually only managed to capture one individual on film – I took four shots and only two were serviceably! I’ve not quite worked out the secret to White Admirals yet and I find them a bit hit or miss, the shots I get seem to come from lucky encounters so something to look into for this coming season – any tips greatly appreciated! Have a goodun

Wurzel

Not a difficult choice - I only saw one in the UK in 2021, on 2nd July at Lower Woods, Gloucestershire. It was, however, a mint fresh specimen:

I managed to see decent numbers of this species in the woods at both Bookham and Chiddingfold, with some nice fresh examples flying in the immediate run-up to the Purple season. I had a lengthy encounter with one at Bookham on 23rd June which posed rather well at the right height and ignored my close presence.A bit later I found another perched above me on a holly tree, providing one of those "stained glass" shots.A couple of weeks later at Chiddingfold, what I believe is a female sat very nicely, wings spread. Dave