Butterflying started before we left the hotel, the Silver-washed Fritillary forma valesina was performing well and attracting some attention.
Sat on a mountain top surrounded by fritillaries I thought it would be easy to capture both Shepherd's and Mountain Fritillaries. Not so, as subsequent analysis of my photos reveals that I probably only managed to get Mountains. The problem is that to be sure you need some underwing shots and these were few and far between. Collins Butterfly guide provides the helpful description that in Shepherd's the upf post discal markings are macular but in Mountain are linear - trouble is I have difficulty knowing where macularity ends and linearity begins.
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| Mountain Fritillary |
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| Mountain Fritillary |
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| Mountain Fritillary |
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| Mountain Fritillary |
Then a one and half mile roadside stretch of valerian that was coated in butterflies.
First up another Apollo.
I was so fixed on the Apollo that I failed to see the possible Marbled White forma procida
A nice looking Comma
A Great Banded Grayling
A Large Ringlet
But it was the coppers that stole the show.
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| Purple-edged Copper |
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| Purple-edged Copper |
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| Purple-edged Copper |
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| Purple Shot Copper |
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| Scarce Copper |
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| Scarce Copper |
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| Scarce Copper |
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| Scarce Copper |
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| Scarce Copper |
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| Scarce Copper |
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| Sooty Copper |
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| Sooty Copper |
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| Purple Shot Copper |
Finally a female Silver-washed Fritillary on steroids that for a few seconds may have been a Cardinal, sadly not.
A fresh male SwF
Then it was all over, six cracking days of alpine butterflying. 123 species seen by the group, 119 personally and a tally of 48 life ticks.
Bouquets
David Moore and Ed Hutchings deserve a heap of praise, excellent leadership, thorough knowledge and very informative. Most of all good company and both with a sense of humour - thanks guys.
Great organisation from Greenwings - would I recommend it - you bet!
Brickbats
None -
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