www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

Heath Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2015

Week 7

So continues sequence of posts giving one and all the opportunity to showcase their favourite shots of 2015!

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

Didn't see this rare UK species in 2015 on home soil, but as ever, I saw multi hundreds in the French Alps in June/July.

Sadly, in spite of this bounty 'on tap', I didn't take an image of a single one!

This is why I like this end of year round-up, because it reinforces where you have paid lip service (or no service at all) during the year.

So, note to self - at least make an attempt with athalia in 2016!!

I also failed to see this species this year. I'd like to see some West Country individuals one of these days as I've only seen Kentish and Essex examples thus far. Here's one from July 1st 2012, taken at East Blean Woods just after a lengthy downpour. Dave

Hi Folks,
For the taxonomy buffs, the Heath Fritillary in the South of France was Mellicta athalia celadussa, which then became Melitaea athalia celadussa which has now apparently become Melitaea helvetica .
Well, before they change names again, here is a set of photos from inland west Var this year:
Female: Male: Pair: Dark form : Cheers, Chris

On a visit to East Blean with Badger Bob and after waiting for an hour for the sun to come out, all of a sudden we were surrounded by Heath Fritillary action.

In my local woods on 6th July:



Guy

millerd wrote:...I'd like to see some West Country individuals one of these days as I've only seen Kentish and Essex examples thus far...
Dave

Its the other way around for me, I have never seen this species in Kent or Essex, my only experiences being in the West Country. I saw them a couple of years ago at Haddon Hill and Bin Coombe and again this year when we stopped off for a couple of hours at Greenscombe Wood on the way back from a week in Cornwall.
One individual stood out for me as having an almost Marsh Fritillary look about it,
Cheers,

Neil

A friend took me to East Blean Woods in June to see these little beauties. I now have 172 pictures to flick through and since every one reminds me of that wonderful day it's near impossible to choose a favourite so I'll just have to pic one or two at random!

Having visited the Kent sites several times in the past, I decided to find an Exmoor colony this year. I am very grateful for help from UKButs member William, who guided me to a good 'hot spot'.

Out of the very many photos that I took, it was hard to choose a single favourite but I eventually settled on this one, because it shows the features of both upper and lower wing surfaces:
Mike

Heath Fritillary

Finally after many years of um-ing and ahh-ing this was the year. I finally made my way to East Blean for Heath Fritillaries. Due to the huge range of shots that I took throughout the day picking one favourite was ridiculously tricky. Through the course of the visit Philzoid and I saw males, females, in cop, open and closed wings, stained glass views, hanging in space, three quarter open and even two individuals being killed and dismembered by Wood Ants!
However this image was the one for me, not a ‘twofer’ but a ‘threefer’! Which is very appropriate as for me this species was definitely value for money. Have a goodun

Wurzel