The sun was shining when I left for a visit to a local nature reserve, but it turned cloudy on arrival. However I was fortunate to photograph four different species, two of which I had not seen this season.
The Common Blue Butterfly (Polyommatus icarus).
This is only the second time this season that I have seen and I was able to get some images of both the male and the female. Hopefully, this will be a better year for the Common Blue and I am encouraged by the fact that I have already seen these which is more than last year.
Firstly the Male.
Secondly the Female.
Note that the female has darker brown colouring underwing with more prominent orange spots. Although you can't see much of them in these images the upper wings are more faint purple than bright blue as is on the male.
The Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Never easy to see and certainly not easy to photograph. The Small Heath although very small appears to sense movement more than most butterflies when one is trying to approach it. I think this is a female below that I was able to shoot.
The Brown Argus (Aricia agestis)
I was surprised to find this female as although they should have been flying from the beginning of May, I have not seen any until now.
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| Sony A6000. Sony FE.70-200mm F4 lens. 200mm. 1/320 at f7.1. ISO200. |
The Green Hairstreak (Callophrys rubi)
This female Green Hairstreak below was keeping low to the ground out of the wind when I found her, probably looking for suitable egg laying locations.
Roy, perhaps this is going to be abetter year for the butterflies. All your images are stunning. I have not seen many butterflies this year myself.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots as always! A nice selection of my fave butterflies, the little ones! Common Blues are really rare where I live, sometimes only see one or two a year in my garden, which is a shame.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mandy, Blues were quite rare last year, hopefully things are looking up.
DeleteGreat shots Roy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian.
DeleteBeautiful pictures of the Icarus blues Roy but I'm jealous of you rookies. Vegetables which are so beautiful but they are almost unknown in the Netherlands. Beautifulhalf pictures you this.
ReplyDeleteNice set Roy, The numbers of Common Blues seem to be building locally at the moment and I saw my first Small Heath of the year yesterday, no Brown Argus yet but plenty of Small Coppers on the wing. I think we need a few warm and sunny days, and no wind, to bring them all out?...[;o)
ReplyDeleteThanks Trevor.
DeleteYes a bit more warmth would be good.
I haven't seen any Small Coppers at all, nor last year.
Prachtig Roy je hebt er al heel veel gezien en er een prachtige serie van gemaakt.
ReplyDeleteHeel erg bedankt Bas.
DeleteYour Common Blue looks identical to the rare Karner Blue here. It's now extirpated in Canada, but still present in parts of the nearby U.S. Check out Jaqui's post on it today at 'Saratoga woods and waterways'.
ReplyDeleteOK thanks FG.
DeleteA very special series of photos Roy. The shade of blue on this butterfly is really beautiful. Thanks for the comment on my budgie post. As a child I loved having my budgie, but as an adult I would much rather see them in the freedom of their own natural habitat.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise.
DeleteWell, you managed to get a better shot of a small heath that I did, those little butterflies are very easily spooked!
ReplyDeleteYes they don't hang around Simon.
DeleteThe common blue is a beautiful butterfly - both male and female. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alison.
DeleteThey are all beautiful but the Common blue is 'uncommenly' beautiful imho. Also like the Green Hairstreak, I've only seen it once.
ReplyDeleteKind regards,
Marianne
Thanks Marianne.
DeleteStunning photos Roy, beautiful Butterflies...
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Thanks Amanda.
DeleteLovely set of pictures Roy of your butterflies. I have seen the Adonis Blue, Holly Blue, Small Blue but not the Common Blue.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lyn.
DeleteI have briefly seen the Holly Blue this year.
Bonsoir Roy
ReplyDeleteJ'adore ce genre d'article, grandiose, bravo.
La qualité est superbe. Encore :))
Merci Nathalie.
DeleteNice blog you have! I will add you to my list of blogs Roy!
ReplyDeleteGr. John
Thanks John.
DeleteA grand selection Roy. I only ever seem to see blues on the wing.
ReplyDeleteThanks John.
Delete...closeups of this butterfly are so beautiful. Their blue color is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kelly.
DeleteHey Roy... Just getting to this post, I have been a bit distracted this past week ;} .
ReplyDeleteEven though I have seen these beauties on your post before you always amaze me with your gorgeous photo's of them.
The blue is gorgeous... on top or bottom it is wonderful :}
Grace
Great shots of the beautiful butterflies!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gunilla.
DeleteWhat can I say?
ReplyDeleteEach image is beautiful and very special.
A perfect and brilliant work, Roy!
Thanks Ana.
Delete