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Wednesday 8 April 2015

The Scary Four Eyes

The Peacock Butterfly (Inachis io), is another over Winter Hibernator which I was able to see and photograph for the first time this Spring during yesterday morning.

This species does not live in colonies and flies wherever there are suitable conditions, which are varied and many. Obviously one of our most colourful species and apart from a period at the end of June/early July, can be observed just about anywhere over the UK.
It has a very visible defence system against predators, the four spots (or eyes) on its upper wings.


The temperature in the last couple of days has risen considerably and it was around 17 celsius when I took these images. Apart from this species I also observed the Comma, the Brimstone and caught sight briefly of a flying male Large White. So things are improving in the butterfly World and if this good weather persists then a number of early species such as the Orange Tip should soon start to emerge.










29 comments:

  1. Hi Saw my first Peacock yesterday and although I did get a shot it did not cooperate as much as this one giving you great photos.

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    1. Thanks Margaret. On the I.O.W. I guess.

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    2. Yes Roy on the I.O.W. I also saw some Cloued Yellow and Small Tortoiseshell.

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  2. A nice selection of shots of a lovely butterfly.

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  3. Great photos of this stunning butterfly which we tend to take for granted as it is common! I saw a couple the day before yesterday which was lovely to see. Here's to more flutterbies.... :-)

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  4. Lovely shots Roy.
    A sunny day really brings them out.

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  5. Gorgeous photos! I hope it'll soon get warm enough for butterflies here as well.

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  6. Wow! That's a striking butterfly!

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    1. Thanks FG. Its one of our common species.

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  7. Rather better shots than mine...the scary eyes do not put scare the mobile phone photographer, instead the hulking naturalist scares off the butterflies at the moment!

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    1. Thanks Simon, yes they are easily spooked.{:))

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  8. Never seen a peacock in person - they are absurdly colorful! Great photos.

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    1. Thanks Wilma, yes they are like the tropical bird of the butterfly World.

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  9. these butterflies are a lot but it's always nice to watch them .. great pictures
    regards Frank

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  10. Hey Roy... I guess your on a roll there with your butterfly collection ;) . This one is a real beauty,with lovely bright colors. Interesting purpose for them eyes.
    That's what I have had scary eyes for about 10 day's. Eye infection in both eyes,never had one before. 7 days of eye drops 4 times a day,but just about cleared up. Glad I don't have four eyes!

    Grace

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    1. Thanks GG, sorry to hear about your two eyes. Its a good job you haven't got four.{:))

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  11. I saw two together yesterday, lovely to see them close up.

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  12. there was a peacock on dad's window the other day! lovely to see. also saw a Brimstone on Limehouse station!

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    1. They don't all look in good order like this one Pete as they have hibernated through the Winter.
      I have seen some pretty rough looking ones in the last few days.

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  13. Wow, nice bug! We are still waiting for the crocus to pop up here. Way to early for butterflies!

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    1. Thanks Steve.
      Watch this space for more butterflies shortly as the weather is warming up even more.

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  14. The peacock is a beautiful butterfly.
    I have not seen them myself this year but you have to make a wonderful array of already.

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