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| Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) |
With the warmer temperatures the butterflies are beginning to show themselves during my regular wildlife wanderings so I thought it was time to resurrect 'Friday Flutters' to highlight what species I have been seeing.
During a patch walk at Epsom Common on 27th March I encountered at least 5 Brimstone on the wing throughout the open woodland. Unfortunately they weren't very cooperative when it came to getting any clear shots.
Just over a week ago at Tices Meadows I saw my first Small Tortoiseshell of the year but was unable to get any shots.
Typically the easily recognised Peacock has been on the wing locally since at least late February having awoken from hibernation. As you can see this individual is already well frayed around the edges!
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| Peacock (Inachis io) |
Two weeks ago a Holly Blue dashed past me at Epsom Common Stew Pond and yesterday one was flying around the garden. Today, possibly the same female with its heavy black wing tips, was spotted by Anita in the garden resting on a rose leaf so I couldn't pass up the opportunity of a few shots and more images will be posted on FABirding.
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| Holly Blue [female] (Celastrina argiolus) |
During an early morning patch walk today I came across at least 15 Bee Flies with their very distinctive hairy body and long proboscis resting at the edge of a dry path.
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| Bee Fly (Bombylius major) |
And my other first sighting was a Specked Wood resting on the leaf litter in the woodland.
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| Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) |
i always love to see the brown butterflies you have there. so beautiful! of course, your blues are great, too. i saw the bee flies on another UK blog and thought they were fascinating!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of these fliers. I always look forward to seeing them in warmer seasons.
ReplyDeleteA good selection, Frank. The frayed peacock is still a beauty.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! I adore butterflies!
ReplyDeleteNice selection Frank. Once the butterflies start to appear in good numbers do I truly start to feel that summer is just around the corner, let's hope for a good one.
ReplyDeleteBee Flies seem to be doing well this year too...lots about over the last few days...[;o)
It is lovely to see the butterflies immerging at this time of the year and these are great shots. Not easy to take as they seem to be dashing around the place.
ReplyDeleteI've had speckled wood and small white now, but no orange tips. And certainly no holly blues! Brimstones are a photographic impossibility with a mobile phone cam. And I agree about bee flies, and also solitary bee species, noticing more of those than before.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful butterflies.
ReplyDeleteK
These are lovely Frank.
ReplyDeleteI briefly caught sight of a Holly yesterday, but haven't seen any Speckled Wood yet.
Yes Frank the butterflies are on the wing.
ReplyDeleteHave seen Orange tip, Brimstone, peacock and a blue in the garden this week. No speckled wood as yet.
Also have lots of bee flies......fascinating little creatures.
Have a good weekend.............
Enjoyed your photos particularly the Bee Fly.
ReplyDeleteSpring has arrived for you - everything's waking up!!
ReplyDeletePretty collection of butterflies. The Peacock is my favorite. Thanks for linking up and sharing your post , have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteFantastic butterfly series.
ReplyDeleteWonderful variety of butterflies and fly! You get lovely photos of a critter I can't seem to find still long enough to shoot!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous butterfly!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful Frank. We saw so many white butterflies on our bird trip, but always on white wild flowers and so they didn't show well.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of the butterflies. I still haven't seen many here.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty Frank! I have only seen Cabbage Whites so far, a wee early here yet,but as soon as more flowers blossom, they shall too~
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful images, Frank. Butterflies are an underappreciated taxa I think, but their beauty and fragility never cease to impress me.
ReplyDelete