The image above doesn't really do the scene justice as over a distance of 80
yards along this south facing downward slope at Denbies Hillside this morning I logged well in excess of 100 butterflies. Marbled Whites, Common Blue, Meadow Browns, Skippers and two Dark Green Fritillary but the most conspicuous were the numerous Chalkhill Blue (Lysandra coridon) males on the wing.
One pristine male perched favourably and then allowed a shot on its under wing pattern (below).
Thanks to the eagle eyes of another 'watcher' on the slopes I was able to locate just one dark female hidden deep within the grasses.
She remained totally unmolested by any males and the crept deeper into the vegetation allowing a momentary view of her under wing pattern before eventually flying away to another hidden location.
All the above images were taken with the PowerShot SX50 HS.
During the rest of my walk I also logged Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Comma, Red Admiral, Six-spot Burnet plus Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Swallows, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Hobby and two Ravens called as they flew north west over the ridge.
During the rest of my walk I also logged Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Comma, Red Admiral, Six-spot Burnet plus Goldfinch, Goldcrest, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Swallows, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Hobby and two Ravens called as they flew north west over the ridge.
Linking to Nature Notes.
You out did yourself Frank. Colors are gorgeous.
ReplyDeletethe blue is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteYour butterfly shots are beautiful and detailed...
ReplyDelete-- Walking on Dal Lake...
Hi Frank Over a100 butterflies. That is amazing and your photographs are wonderful,
ReplyDeleteLovely images Frank and what a nice hillside, (as long as you didn't burst into song that is). {:))
ReplyDeleteOMG; what a FANTASTIC pictures of butterflies; I wish I could see the gorgeous one like Chalkhill Blue :-) Wonderful place hillside is!
ReplyDeleteSincerely from Japan xoxo Miyako*
A delightful walk and such beautiful butterflies! Thanks for dropping by on my blog while I was away!
ReplyDeleteHeerlijk om met z,on mooie wandeling zoveel mooie vlinders tegen te komen,maar ja als de wind toe gaat nemen is het over.
ReplyDeleteFrank, these are wonderful! I adore your butterfly images. The view from the Denbies Hillside is awesome.
ReplyDeleteWow Frank...You are really seeing some wonderful insects when you get out for a walk. I have barely gotten started this summer. Thank you for linking into Nature Notes this week...Michelle
ReplyDeleteWonderful sightings! I imagine that hike was quite relaxing.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. I love the perspective of the first shot and great seeing all the wildlife in the hill at an individual level.
ReplyDeleteFranks, it looks like it was a fun but precarious walk! That chalkhill blue is a gorgeous butterfly. I love that velvety, silver blue texture to its wings! Nicely photographed!
ReplyDeleteWow! Stunning macros of the butterflies!
ReplyDeleteFabulous to see the blues.....missing from my gardens this year. Lots of butterflies but no blues.
ReplyDeletePrzecudowne zdjęcia !!!! Śliczne motyle, pięknie ukazane.
ReplyDeletePodoba mi się !
Miła atmosfera u Ciebie na blogu.
Pozdrawiam bardzo serdecznie z Dublin'a.
✿✿✿ PHOTOOPASSION ✿✿✿
Thistle and butterflies! It doesn't get better than that! Nice hike around the hillside with all those lovely purples, greens, and yellows!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful day and gorgeous butterflies.
ReplyDelete