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Week 14

So continues sequence of posts giving one and all the opportunity to showcase their favourite shots of 2014 (or the last time you saw one)!

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As like last year 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

Wurzel

I came across this mating pair of Ringlets low down in the bracken at Whitbarrow, Cumbria.

This is just one of many butterfly species I saw on a memorable day at the Daneway Banks reserve of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust:
Mike

This is a species that doesn't mind a bit of rain - here are a few favourites from a mostly damp afternoon at Ryton Country Park near Coventry 0n 5th July. Dave

This year I'm afraid I didn't take many photo's of the Ringlet so the photo's I did take were taken more in haste than any thing.
I find the Ringlet abit hard to photograph it never seems to settle for very long before it's off again I shot this one just has it landed in Bently Wood on the 6th July Goldie

To my shame, I think this is the only image of a Ringlet I took in 2014 (at the M40 Compensation Area on 15th June whilst Black Hairstreak spotting):

I wish I could say I had paid lots of attention to the humble Ringlet in 2014, but sadly not, when they're at their best is sadly when I'm busiest!

So a couple of old ones from me, the first a mating pair on a forest ride in the Loire Valley, a memorable day when I saw my first ever Purple Emperor and Large Chequered Skippers!
And one from a rainy afternoon, the kind of photo I normally end up taking when I can never get near a butterfly, which is sadly a lot of the time.

For once I can say that I've actually got a butterfly photo taken in the UK. This one was seen in Leicestershire when I was back to visit family. One interesting observation I would make is that it is easier to get an upperside shot in the UK than in warmer climes, where they tend to keep their wings closed. Chris

Ringlet

I loved the way the butterfly was framed in this shot so it became my favourite Ringlet. I was also doubly pleased when I noticed that it’s an aberrant with the left forewing having three spots and the right only 2. I think I need to stop counting spots otherwise I’ll end up with whole hard drives filled with nothing but Hedge Browns, Meadow Browns and Ringlets...I’m just glad that I’m around at the same time in history as digital photography otherwise my CCD (compulsive collecting disorder) would have had a more damaging and deleterious impact on various butterfly species. Have a goodun

Wurzel

In 2014, I wanted to picture a fresh Ringlet, after that I was too busy for "scruffy brown butterflies"
This picture was taken on 16th June having left the White Admirals alone for a few minutes

For a couple of weeks in June Ringlets can often be found in great numbers and 2014 was no exception with dozens flapping up around me as I took each step whilst wandering around a couple of my local spots.

My favourites are probably the following, all taken on the same day in June at Castle Hills near Solihull,
Cheers,

Neil

Lagging behind Wurzel and others in my seasons species count, I thought I'd try and catch up by bagging an easy Silver-washed Fritillary and White Admiral down at local Bookham Commons. Chasing Ringlets were not on the agenda but that is what happened when I encountered this lovely fresh female in a meadow bordering the common . Although I didn't get either of my target species that Ringlet made the day out all the worthwhile, as did a decidedly unusual Small Skipper (which the more I think about it could be an aberrant (and which I'll post in the favourite for 2014 thread))