www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

i saw this butterfly today in a wood near Corby.
at first i thought it was a purple hairstreak but it seems too big really




charles

Hmmmmm

I agree, a rather large, semi-leucystic aberration of Purple Hairstreak.
Shame it's not a bit more interesting really.

Roger

thanks Rogerdodge
also i'm not sure if yellow tongues are typical of Purple Hairstreaks

charles

Thanks a tantalising photo - the longer I look, the more purple I see!

Well done Charles - my first PE shot was nowhere near this standard!

Cheers,

- Pete

In all seriousness, I remember well my first Purple Emperor photograph.
I had taken my first shot of the grounded butterfly from about 20 yards away, and moved in, shooting all the time, yard by yard untill it was full frame, and then, at the last moment, it just re-adjusted it's wings, and I knew I had caught that fabulous purple flash.
I then realisd that I had been holding my breath all the time!
I walked on air back to the car park where I excitedly told my tale to a bystander.
"Probably just a white admiral!" he said - the bozo!
Of course nowdays I could just show him the evidence on the screen, but in the days of film..........
I have a picture of the irritating clot engraved on my retina, and one day I shall see him again.....

Roger

p.s. Great shot Charles!!

thanks Pete & Roger.... days like today are precious

i went to Fermyn Wood & took the path less travelled ( the one with the pond ) & saw the Purple Emperor following a man on a bicycle !!

fortunately he stopped for a drink in a muddy puddle ( the butterfly not the cyclist ) & i was able to take the picture. there was also a gentleman with a professional video camera who filmed several minutes of the action.

Charles