Better Butterflies

Meadow Brown butterfly, Maniola jurtina. 15 July 2011.

The butterfly walk was slightly disappointing, perhaps because of the lacklustre weather. So, as the forecast for the next day was for sun, I went back to High Elms.

The forecast was accurate, mostly, and it was warmer and sunnier, and more butterflies appeared. As I did not have to dash after a group, and there were fewer feet to disturb the surroundings, I got some better photos; some of the same butterflies as yesterday, some of new ones.

The gaudy Peacock and the pleasant Brimstone shown below did not appear yesterday. But my favourite pics today were those of the Silver-Washed Fritillary, which I have saved for last below. I have included a close-up which shows the full potential of the macro lens; click on the photos to see the full effect.

On the way round I met for the first time the gentleman who blogs as Greenie In The Wild. I am surprised not to have come across him before, because we have several wildlife areas in common and we live not far apart. He certainly knows High Elms well, and he showed me some interesting spots and some bee orchids, for which, thanks.  I also came across the BCS ranger for the area, Terry Jones, who led yesterday's walk, and who won't be there for much longer.  He knows the place even better, if possible.

These photos were taken with the EOS 60D. For some, like the Fritillary, I used the 100mm macro lens; sometimes with a Kenko 1.4x extender. (Not Kenco, which is coffee.) For others, like the meadow Brown above, I used a 200mm prime lens with a 2x extender. This long focal length is tricky hand-held and some of these shots could be sharper, but with shy or inaccessible butterflies the alternative would be even worse. There were actually lots of Meadow Browns around, but almost all of them were old and faded.

Comma butterfly, Polygonium c-album, near the Conservation Field in High Elms Country Park, 15 July 2011.

Small White butterfly, Pieris rapae, on Rough Hawkbit, Leontodon hispidus,
in the Conservation Field in High Elms Country Park, 15 July 2011.

Peacock butterfly, Inachis io, on Rough Hawkbit, Leontodon hispidus,
in Burnt Gorse in High Elms Country Park, 15 July 2011.

Specked Wood butterfly, Pararge aegeria, in a glade in High Elms Country Park, 15 July 2011.

Brimstone butterfly, Gonepteryx rhamni, on Pyramidal Orchid, Anacamptis pyramidalis,
in Burnt Gorse in High Elms Country Park, 15 July 2011.

Silver-Washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia, on Rough Hawkbit, Leontodon hispidus,
in Burnt Gorse in High Elms Country Park, 15 July 2011.

Silver-Washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia, on Rough Hawkbit, Leontodon hispidus,
in Burnt Gorse in High Elms Country Park, 15 July 2011.