After a couple of dull but mild days, the sun came out to play today-and it was my day off!
I'm my local woods, the sun was setting off the splendid autumn colour on the beech trees. The buzzards were around, and I found a hornet nest in an ash tree. A Red Admiral was settled nearby, but was a little worn.
By mid morning, it was already warm, so I headed off to Canvey Island, which I thought would be my best chance of a few butterflies. Although it clouded over at times, and I feared the worst for a while, I needn't have worried. The warm sunshine returned. Throughout the day, Red Admirals were speeding through, heading south. Most did not stop, but this one did.
After a bit more searching, I found what I was really hoping to see, a Clouded Yellow, in mint condition. I'm my excitement, unfortunately I approached too quickly and twice I disturbed her, and she flew over the hedge and disappeared. Despite much searching, I failed to relocate her. So I retraced my steps, and there she was, back in the original area! Then the sun went in, and she went to ground. This time, I kept my distance. This was a gamble, as she would have been easy to photograph but if I disturbed her again, she might fly over the hedge again and be lost. But it worked as when the sun returned, she set about feeding on the hawkweeds in the vicinity, and allowed an approach close enough for pictures, provided I was careful
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A male was around, too and a Comma, Wall and faded Meadow Brown were seen, as well as a distant white. A super late October day.
Brilliant shot 
