www.ukbutterflies.co.uk

My this years target species was Papilio alexanor, most comment read on the internet suggested that I was facing a challenging task but as sometimes happens lady luck offers a helping hand, passing what seemed a likely spot my wife suggests ,"lets try in there", no sooner had I parked and stepped out with the camera three Alexanors were spotted, great, but the species is a restless creature it rarely stops, eggs are laid on the wing the butterfly fluttering all the time, getting focus was a challenge, but over the course of several days despite high temperatures and a steep scree slope I managed some video and stills, these can be seen on the link below,not only alex the site also provided a fresh Cardinal (Argynnis pandora),and a Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) form valezina my first for this locality plus many other species including Papilio machaon ,Iphiclides podalirius and Parnassius apollo.

http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/p577876181#h9111ed21 video
http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/p828460121#h8de3a4a8 photos

A very interesting account of the life of P alexanor in French can be read on the following link

.https://www.insecte.org/forum/viewtopic ... o+alexanor

Some great shots there Medard, very jealous . I love the video footage of the egg laying as well.

Nice set of images, James, particularly of alexanor, which IMO is an iconic species.

Lovely photos - a particular favourite being one of the Large Coppers - and some very rare insects indeed among them.

I think it was you I spoke to earlier this year about sites for the Spring Ringlet - I'm glad to see you photographed it!

Hello Matsukaze very pleased that I now have the chance to thank you for the Spring Ringlet location,exactly at the location you described,many thanks.
http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com/p509395131#h89be5a30
http://jamesgibbs6929.zenfolio.com