www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Week 9.

Here is the opportunity to post your favourite photo(s) of a particular species taken in 2013 (or the last time you saw one!).

This is part of a series of topics which will grow over 20 weeks throughout the winter, eventually covering all 59 species which are regularly found in the British Isles. The intention is to showcase three species per week (in alphabetical order), so please wait until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos. Our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants.

Details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome and please feel free to contribute observations of behaviour, stories of personal encounters, anecdotes or other interesting points.

Vince

Large Skipper

This was taken at Woodhenge on one of my many, many stop-offs. It was a bit too early for my intended targets of Smessex Skippers as timings this year seemed to be behind compared to last year bit I was very pleased with this buxom wench. The morning light brought out the golden glow of the markings to a treat and the coiled proboscis provided additional interest. I love the way it is so coiled round and round like a liquorice bootlace. Have a goodun

Wurzel

Here's one with its very long proboscis unwound:
and another one:
Both seen in July in the Alpes-Maritimes.
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Colin

I like this shot for the Common Spotted Orchid in the background! It was taken at the BBOWT reserve at Seven Barrows, on the Downs to the North of Lambourn.
Mike

My favourite Large Skipper this year is without doubt the ab.pallida that I found whilst looking for W L Hairstreaks. My thanks again to Guy Padfield for the id.
https://bobsbutterflies.blogspot.com

Large Skippers are one of those species that I never seem to go looking for but am always happy to take a few photos of when I see them. Locally they seemed to be about in fewer numbers this year but were also flying for a bit longer than usual.

A few favourite shots below from my wanderings this year...
Cheers,

Neil.

my first and only sighting of a Skipper so it has to be my favourite of 2013, "they dont half move fast"

My favourite is this one taken on 20th July at Southwater Woods - a memorable day because I also saw my first ever Silver Washed Fritillary ab. valezina
Cheers
John

My photo's were taken at Hall-Lee-Brook Westhoughton on July 10th I couldn't make my mind up has to which I liked the best so I've inclued both Goldie

Goldie M wrote:I couldn't make my mind up has to which I liked the best so I've inclued both

What's this - female indecision?! Sorry - I must not make sexist jokes. Seriously, they are both nice pics and I particularly like the very characterful pose of the first one but, then again, the second is very nice, too - indecision!

Mike

Favourite this year was the first one I photographed, on 10th June at Crymlyn Burrows in Swansea.

He was positively sparkling and had probably only just emerged:

My favourite is also the first one I saw this year - and for a brief while it was the first one anyone had seen (beaten to the top spot in the end by someone in Derbyshire... ). This one looked as if it had been out a day or two as well, and was found local to me near Heathrow on 6th June. Dave

This was my first and only encounter with a Large Skipper, in the Massif Central in France, July 18. I managed to get a top and underside shot of the same individual without running around, that's what I call an efficient photo session - I wish they were all like that!
Chris

Sorry I'm late answering your post Mike, I even for got to log in

Glad you liked the two photo's, I liked the 1st I think but couldn't resist including the 2nd

There's not been too much going on lately to take photo's of which I miss because I want to keep trying my new len's out.

The absense of birds lately has suprised every one round here, I don't know what it's like else where.

Being able to post Photo's into " Favourites" is great it keeps interests going and we get to see some lovely pic's I'm looking forward to seeing lots more and I'll probably still be full of indecision has to what I'll put in, how ever being a woman I can change my mind Goldie

Favourite Large Skipper photo(s) of 2013, MH Down 18th June.

I only seem to have taken one shot of a Large Skipper in 2013. It was my first sighting of the year for the species and was of a male that had clearly just hatched. The angle of the shot neatly illustrates a full right forewing and a full left hindwing, which was due to luck rather than skill.
Vince