Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Favourite Photo 2014

[Wurzel]

Week 17

So continues sequence of posts giving one and all the opportunity to showcase their favourite shots of 2014 (or the last time you saw one)!

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As like last year details of locations, dates, times and circumstances would be welcome as would any accompanying stories and anecdotes or other observations of behaviour and interesting other points.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Pete Eeles]

Definitely my favourite SPBF shot for some time ... photobombed by a Chequered Skipper at Glasdrum Wood

Cheers,

- Pete

[David M]

Lovely to see that one again!

Got to be the best UK photobombing to date!

[MikeOxon]

This is one from a series that I took of a mating pair at Old Castle Down, near Bridgend, Wales. I like the way that they are conducting their liaison very discreetly beneath a folded leaf.

I have slightly mixed feelings about this photo since, while I was taking it, my son was photographing the only High Brown Fritillary that condescended to pose for a photograph on that day! On the other hand, a mating pair of SPBFs was pretty good too

Old Castle Down, S.Wales - 21st June 2014
Nikon D300s with Tamron 90mm macro lens - 1/350s@f/9.5 ISO400

Mike

[Goldie M]

I think you're photo is fantastic Pete what a piece of luck that was
Mean time after every body but me had taken a photo of a SPBF at Gaits Barrow I finally cornered one They were very quick that day but finally settled on the thistle, shots were taken on 16th June Goldie

[millerd]

25th May, Bentley Wood. There were both PBF and SPBF around so a good opportunity to compare and contrast. It's amazing how quickly you get your eye in and can spot which it is before you get close. Here's my favourite of the latter species, basking on a bramble leaf.

Dave

[David M]

This fresh and stunning female SPBF, captured on 5th June at Fairwood Common on the Gower peninsula, was the best image I took of this species in 2014:

I also managed an underside shot that would have been near perfect had it not been for the ubiquitous grass blades:

[Philzoid]

I was quite pleased with my Small Pearl photos this year, taken at Bentley as ever . As for a favourite? I can't decide so you'll just have to have four

Orange splendour

Patchwork quilt

Stained Glass

Flash Harry

Phil

[Jack Harrison]

I had seen Small PBFs in a Glengorm locality (Isle of Mull) about ten days earlier and in the same spot, without thinking assumed......



I didn't notice my error and it was eventually pointed out nearly six months later. (Thank you William).

Dark Green (isn't it?)

Jack

[Neil Freeman]

All my Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries in 2014 were seen during the three days we stayed up at Arnside last June where I saw good numbers of this species at a few sites around the area.

The first ones were when we stopped off at Warton Crag on the way when I saw my first ever Northern Brown Argus and where the SPBFs were a nice added bonus.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Warton Crag 11.06.2014

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Warton Crag 11.06.2014

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Warton Crag 11.06.2014

During our stay at Arnside I walked up the Knott a few times and saw plenty of SPBFs, mostly in the same spots that are best for High Browns later in the season.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Arnside Knott 11.06.2014

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Arnside Knott 13.06.2014

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries - Arnside Knott 13.06.2014

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Arnside Knott 13.06.2014

Although we have stayed in Arnside a number of times now we had never visited Gait Barrows before, even though it is in the same area. I had read that a permit is required for this site and so, to be prepared in best boy scout fashion before travelling up, I had e-mailed the ranger and received my permit by return e-mail. Popping round to Gait Barrows on a cloudy but warm afternoon I found it a fascinating place with its limestone pavements and was pleased to find a number of SPBFs there.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Gait Barrows 13.06.2014

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Gait Barrows 13.06.2014

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Gait Barrows 13.06.2014

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary - Gait Barrows 13.06.2014

Cheers,

Neil

[Wurzel]

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary

After spending a seemingly perfect butterfly day in an area of quite poor habitat (an occasional drawback of family trips) I was itching to get over to Bentley. And so, kids in bed, I caned the car for a flying evening visit. On entering the Eastern Clearing a couple of gents were hovering round a bush and there was my first Small Pearl of 2014. The others headed homewards and I settled back to collect some shots in the evening glow. This one was my favourite as it really showed the detail of eh head whilst at the same time the wings shone like stained glass windows.

Have a goodun

Wurzel