Chalkhill Blue - Favourite Photo of 2014

[Wurzel]

Week 2

So continues sequence of posts giving one and all the opportunity to showcase their favourite shots of 2014!

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

[MikeOxon]

I took this on a very pleasant warm afternoon at Aston Rowant, when I was mainly looking for Silver-spotted Skippers. On the day I was there, Chalkhill Blues were far from abundant but this one was clearly enjoying the Marjoram on the sunny South-facing slope.

Aston Rowant NNR - 17th July 2014
Nikon D300s with Tamron 90mm macro lens - 1/500s@f/11 ISO400

Mike

[Goldie M]

If I've to pick a favourite it's got to be this one I just managed to catch the pair before they flew off it was the 15th July at Temple Ewell Kent and a lovely hot day, my daughter was with us and I was so pleased to be able to get some interest from her at last for Butterflies Goldie
I decided to add another BF which I'd forgotten about

[millerd]

A very tricky choice, though I probably took fewer photos of this species in 2014. Certainly their abundance at Aston Rowant, Box Hill and Denbies was lower than in the last two summers. Denbies as always provided a selection of abs, with missing spots on the underside in both males and females, and considerable variability in upperside markings as well. One in particular stood out for me, looking very pale underneath as well as lacking most of its spots. Taken on 1st August.

There were also a few of the ab. suavis variety, with orange spots on the male upperside. (21st July)

Dave

[David M]

I always feel a bit envious at how many members of this site have Chalkhill Blues on tap within easy driving distance (often walking distance).

For me it entails an hour and a half's drive at least to see them, so I always appreciate it when I'm amongst them, no more so than at Aston Rowant on 26th July 2014.

There weren't quite the staggering numbers seen in 2013, but I encountered multi-hundreds nonetheless:

[Wurzel]

Chalk Hill Blue

This was my favourite Chalk Hill Blue because it was the reward for several weeks’ patience. I’d seen reports of Chalk Hills start to trickle in from other sites and so I started checking in at The Devenish more frequently as I wanted my first to be from this site.
The trickle became a stream and then it was kind of accepted that Chalk Hills had emerged proper and here I was I with still no sighting despite many visits. I was tempted to try further afield where I knew they were out but I held my resolve and persevered at The Devenish and then I finally got my reward on the 18th July.

Have a goodun

Wurzel

[Neil Freeman]

I am like David in that this is a species that I have to travel to see. This year I saw plenty at Aston Rowant, although in not quite the same numbers as in 2013, and there were also a few still around on Bindon Hill at Lulworth in early September, including a couple of fresh looking males.

I particularly like the photo below, taken at Aston Rowant, with the pale blue butterfly against the pink of the wild marjoram.

Chalkhill Blue - Aston Rowant 29.07.2014

My favourite shot of this species however has to be the female ab. below. I keep meaning to look to see if she is a named ab. but haven't got around to it yet, another little job to brighten up a cold winter night probably.

Chalkhill Blue female ab. Aston Rowant 29.07.2014

Cheers,

Neil.

[celery]

A male and a female taken a couple of weeks apart at Barnack Hills & Holes. A lovely and reliable site from amongst their most northerly outposts... but often very windy when I visit.

male Chalkhill Blue (polyommatus coridon) - Barnack Hills and Holes, Cambs. - 13th July, 2014

female Chalkhill Blue (polyommatus coridon) - Barnack Hills and Holes, Cambs. - 27th July, 2014

[badgerbob]

A female from my very local spot.

[Nigel Kiteley]

One of my favourite Chalkhill Blue images was of the very first male that I encountered at Aston Rowant NNR on 7th July. Another trip to the same site at the end of Julyyielded a couple of very nice abs that were roosting a few feet apart.

Aston Rowant 07.07.2014.

Aston Rowant 29.07.2014.

Aston Rowant 29.07.2014.

My favourite open wing shot was taken at the beginning of August, again at Aston Rowant.

[Philzoid]

These were taken at Denbies;-

Unfortunately they were taken in 2013 For some strange reason one of my top 10 butterflies fell off the radar in 2014 . It wasn't until the middle of August before I got my first Chalkhill Blue shot at Stockbridge Down. This slightly scuffed example was one of only a handful for the season. No comparison

[bugboy]

A Chalkhill Blue on a chalk hill!

22 July, Box Hill