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Grayling - Favourite Photo of 2015

Week 6

So continues sequence of posts giving one and all the opportunity to showcase their favourite shots of 2015!

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

Again, the choice is straightforward here. The bizarre encounter I had with a three-way mating on 2nd August was another major highlight of 2015 for me. Apart from the unusual circumstances in themselves, the agitation caused by the arrival of a fourth butterfly (a third male trying to join in) caused a great deal of wing flapping and enabled good views of the beautifully marked uppersides of this butterfly, plus examples of courtship behaviour. Overall, not something I'm likely to see again. Dave

Managed to get quite close to them this year, when a cloud passed by made them much more approachable and then just had to wait for the sun to come back out and snap away. I like this one because it puts the butterfly in context with the habitat.... and also its showing me a bit of eye

Can't compete with three-way matings, but here's my mum with a grayling in Rendlesham Forest on 29th August.



Guy

millerd wrote:Again, the choice is straightforward here. The bizarre encounter I had with a three-way mating on 2nd August was another major highlight of 2015 for me.

Superb effort, Dave. This species WILL provide surprise open wing shots if one is sufficiently patient.

My own Grayling experiences in 2015 were very ordinary. This was one of only half a dozen shots I took of them all year:

I remember seeing that threesome above awhile back during the year, but its a pleasure to see it again. Most original.

This creature had difficulty getting off the ground. It was early in the morning at altitude in the South of France, either its wings were damp or they were damaged, it was hard to tell. Cheers, Chris

I can't compete with all those lovely shots I did manage four encounters though one of which the Grayling was a bit tatty but I still liked the look of it Goldie

No UK Graylings this year, but this one in southern France showed that its camouflage is equally as effective on shaded tree trunks as it is in the open - necessary when the temperature is around 40C in the shade...

Always nice to catch 'em with their 'eyes open'.

I saw Graylings at Arnside Knott and Gait Barrows when I was up that way for a few days in late July but didn't manage to get any decent photos. I saw many more down in Dorset during a week there at the end of August and early September, especially on the downs around Durdle Door. Despite the numbers I only managed a few half decent shots of which that below is probably the best.
Cheers,

Neil.

Grayling

Previously I’ve stated that I have a range of criteria for selecting an image for the ‘My Faves’ thread. This one ticked the ‘reminding me of the trip’ box. I’d taken my girls out for the day primarily to allow them to do the usual beach activities that they were going to miss out on as we didn’t take our usual camping holiday. We headed to Knoll Beach at Studland and it was a glorious summer day. We stopped off at the activity centre and there was a nice selection of butterflies including a few Grayling. This shot in particular stood out for me probably because of the contrast against the white door frame but also because I managed to get up close and personal. It was such a fantastic day and every time I see this shot I’m taken back there; hearing the gulls, waves and girls giggling interwoven with the smell of salt, pine and coconut from the gorse. Happy days!
Have a goodun

Wurzel

I've been away for a couple of weeks grabbing some winter sun so I've a few species to catch up on...

These from Risby Common in North Lincs, doing their very best to blend in with the background and remain inconspicuous.