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Week 19

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

My favourite photos of the White Admiral are a series of caterpillar shots. The first two show third instar larvae in typical resting posture; the 3rd shows a fourth instar larva in defence posture and the 4th shows a final instar larva feeding.

Not my favourite, but close. White Admiral larva, 4th instar.

2014 was the year I discovered white admiral caterpillars but as Downland Boy and Nick have posted such super pictures of these I'll post my favourite adult picture, which has to be this:



The phenomenon I witnessed on 13th June 2014 was shortlived and I think exceptional. A friend visited the same site the previous week and another the following week and neither reported similar numbers of camilla - nor have I ever seen anything like it before. On that day I saw tens of thousands of white admirals in a single walk.


(spot the woodland brown caught up in the scrum)



This is a video from that day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKq0GNbpdwc[/video]

Guy

Well I think that little set trumps everyones effort! Breath taking!!

Thanks Guy. But, what can i say about your contribution? Absolutely Brilliant. Something i will never see in this country.

All the best, Nick.

Absolutely no intention to upstage anyone! I was humbled to witness this and I'm sure a better photographer could have made much more of it.

Roll on more white admiral pictures!

(But thanks)

Guy

What can I say Guy........some great photos of what must have been a stupendous sight to come across....and I must say that I always enjoy keeping up with your diary page.

All the best, Downland boy

Whilst I doubt anyone in the entire world can compete with Guy's efforts regarding sheer numbers, I nonetheless did more justice to this species in 2014 than I had done previously.

A trip to Lower Woods, near Wickwar in Gloucestershire, on 22nd June saw me find a fair number of White Admirals at the beginning of their flight period, meaning that they were generally in excellent condition:

Gorgeous pictures David, still a species I have yet to see in the flesh.

I echo the comments regarding Guy's photos above - impressive indeed.

This was a new species I discovered last year. White Admirals do not occur in my part of the South of France (I only see Southern Whites ), and I discovered this one on a shady river bank on holiday in the Massif Central in France. Chris

Fantastic photo's everybody, I alas saw none last year, but hey! that was last year

Guy, that was once in a life time experience wasn't it! I know that feeling as well, when I saw the SPBF that was white, once I found out it was rare I've lived on it since Loved the Video, isn't Minnie good, not many dogs would be so obedient Goldie

I only managed to see a few this year, being too early on visits to their haunts at Black Park in Bucks and at Alice Holt. The ones I did see were from 25th June on a visit to Botany Bay. I tracked down a few to a brambly clearing off the main rides where they would appear regularly with about a two minute delay every time the sun came out. Dave

White Admiral

This was my favourite White Admiral because I captured a close up view from an odd angle so it felt like I was peering around the wings. I only found two White Admirals which were prepared to sit still long enough for some shots and this was the first one. I’d actually have preferred the classic closed wing shot showing the gorgeous reddy orange with the striking white band but that has eluded me for another year – maybe next? Have a goodun

Wurzel

That image shows up the orange antennal tips to good effect, Wurzel.

I also like the powder blue buff to the thorax that one sees in this species when it's fresh.

Another species that I nearly missed in 2014, the only ones that I saw were at Snitterfield Bushes near Stratford-Upon-Avon where I saw half or dozen examples on my one and only visit there last year. Every one that I saw showed evidence of having spent some time amongst the brambles and looked well worn and tatty, the example below being typical.
Cheers,

Neil.