Wednesday 8 June 2011

Adonis under blue skies.

Just over a week ago I paid a mid morning visit to Denbies Hillside, a chalk escarpment on the North Downs. With the wispy clouds being brushed across the blue skies by a fairly stiff breeze I headed downhill through the rich wild flower grassland of Steer's Field. 

There was plenty of insect life around my feet but the butterflies were less obvious due to the windy conditions although I did catch glimpses of Common Blue, Peacock, Comma, Speckled Wood, Small Heath, and Meadow Brown.
Anyway I wandered the various pathways and tracks before finding a suitable location to rest the weary legs and waited patiently for my intended quarry while enjoying the fabulous panoramic southward views.

 Adonis Blue (Lysandra bellargus)
Despite my apprehension my luck eventually paid off and one male perched for a few moments allowing me just a couple of shots of this gorgeous blue butterfly with its distinctive white and black chequered wing edges.

There was plenty of other wildlife to keep me entertained including the various hoverflies, beetles and day flying moths (a Burnet Companion) plus I watched a hovering Kestrel, singing Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, Common Buzzard being harried by Crows and added a Raven to my Surrey year list as it flew overhead.  I have made a mental note to return to seek out the other downland speciality, the Chalkhill Blue, sometime during July.  FAB.

18 comments:

  1. Nice series, Frank. Your patience paid off - that Adonis Blue is just simply gorgeous.

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  2. Frank, what lovely collages of images of your recent journey. They are such vivid images and the sky so dramatic. The insects are always fun...yes~

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  3. The Adonis was a great find Frank. Lovely colouring.

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  4. love those wood carvings! and that blue butterfly - whew! gorgeous!

    i also loved the 'mares' tail' clouds in the sky. whenever i see those, i think of my first horse who died last year, a beautiful grey mare that i adored.

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  5. Looks like a place that I'd love to take a walk around.That Adonis Blue is a beauty!

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  6. Hi Frank What a great place with fantastic views, and the Adonis Blue is superb.

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  7. Super pictures, Frank, and the Adonis Blue is wonderful. I don't think we have them this far north.

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  8. What beautiful countryside Frank.
    Lovely landscape shots.

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  9. Great post Frank.And that beautiful Adonis Blue was an excellent find.

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  10. Hi Frank,
    Gorgeous photo of a stunning butterfly!
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

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  11. So many lovely photographs of nature! I always enjoy viewing your fabulous collages. Absolutely stunning Adonis Blue! Wow!

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  12. Hi Frank,

    Totally green with envy......to see an Adonis is top of my wish list. So pleased you were able to capture one of these rare and beautiful butterflies.

    Thinking of you and your parents. Do hope that light at the end of the tunnel is beaming soon......

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  13. Superb Adonis Blue,terrific place to spend time at.
    John.

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  14. A lovely post Frank, the scenery there looks a lot like some of ours round here. I felt I was there walking with you and certainly would have loved to have seen the Adonis, a beauty!

    I had to smile when I saw the photo of the Ox-eye Daisy with the beetle, I took a very similar one a few days ago :)

    I love those carvings!

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  15. Hi Everyone. It was great to catch up with the Adonis at long last ... truely a beautiful flutter. Hopefully a few more species will drop in front of the lens very soon.

    Thanks for all your comments which I would normally answer individually but my time is pressing at the moment. Cheers FAB.

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  16. A great series Frank. The Adonis Blue is spectacular.

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  17. Sounds like a perfect, soul refreshing summer day, Frank! I love your image of the blue butterfly!!

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  18. Cheers Harold.

    Thanks Hilke. It was great to be out amongst the wild flowers.

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I hope you enjoyed your visit and I always appreciate your comments and feedback.

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