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Pearl-bordered Fritillary – Favourite Photo of 2017

Week 13 – And so we come to the final posting of this series...for 2017 Happy New Year everyone, may 2018 be a better butterfly year all round

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

Again, I just can't choose between these two photographs.


http://eastsussexwanderer.blogspot.co.uk

My annual trip to Abbots Wood gave me this fine looking ab. nigromarginata and this mating pair flopped down at my feet in the middle of the path. Fearing a fatality before the deed was complete (it seemed to be a rather busy day) I coaxed them onto my finger and sat them somewhere nice to be photographed out of the way.

I had only one opportunity to see this species on UK soil in 2017, and whilst there were no abs observed, I was pleased to have seen a small number at Ewyas Harold Common on the Welsh/Herefordshire border on 13th May:

Nice ab. Bugboy.

I try to be on the ball to see fresh early individuals, however this one already had a nick in its wing on 16 April despite me being in the field: Chris

My trip to Bentley Wood on 29th April came very soon after a couple of late sharp frosts which had noticeably damaged the new leaves on the oak trees in the Eastern clearing - which was a bit worrying. However, though the sun was a bit reluctant in appearing, in the end two PBF put in an appearance, one of which was quite a fresh individual.No abs this year, after 2016's spectacular specimen...

Dave

A trip over to the Wyre Forest at the beginning of May produced my Pearl-bordered Fritillaries. I was a bit early and there were not that many flying, I saw reports of many more being seen a week or so later but at least it meant that the ones I saw were nice and fresh. A fairly cool and cloudy day with occasional sun gave me some good photo opportunities.
Cheers,

Neil

Pearl-bordered Fritillary

This was my favourite because it demonstrates the wonderful camouflage shown by this species; not something I’d have thought of it before. When I think about Pearls I usually imagine vivid orange butterflies fluttering around the vegetation or as a brightly coloured and chequered flag flying from a grass stem. Either way they stick out like s sore thumb yet in this image the butterfly blends in pretty well with the dead foliage with the orange and white check pattern breaking up the straw ground colour like so many dead and twisted Bracken fronds. That’s the great thing about butterflies – there’s always something new to observe and learn.

Have a goodun

Wurzel