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Silver-washed Fritillary - Favourite Photo of 2018

Week 15

With five weeks still to go now is the time to start thinking about choosing your overall favourite! As for this week – it feels like we’re going back in time and just starting winter!

Please could I ask that everyone waits until a topic has been opened by me for a particular species before posting photos as then it will be easier to keep track of things? Of course our overseas members are very welcome to fill in the obvious gaps relating to rare UK migrants. As in previous years 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

7th of July was when I got my shot of a Silver washed Fritillary it was at Fermyn Woods and I was looking for his majesty , needless to say he was far up in the tree's and although I saw him , no chance of a shot.
The weather was really hot and the ground very dry and the SWF were few and far between, I got a few shots but I'd to wait until I got to East Blean Woods before I saw more but unfortunately no shots . Goldie

Most of my SWF pictures are from a day at Bookham in the company of Millerd, about halfway through the flight period when they've calmed down significantly enough to become easy targets. In the warm overcast conditions they were mostly intent on feeding... apart from the occasional squadron of males harassing the odd female... Mostly though the females were left alone

The Saturday 13th July after spotting the PE at Aversley Wood. I set off up the hill (Hill it's a about 33ft above sea level, I live at 4ft) in the hope they were still around, it was late in the season though. Hoping to engage the local community I mentioned it on the local FB page. 'Twas not to be but a young man who lives here also was on the look out, I count that as a win he had done some birding but not butterflies before. Anyway while we were scanning the area I noticed a particular butterfly which settle high in a bush, I beckoned him to come see the Silver-washed Fritillary sp Valesina. Now I have seen these before but from afar and never got close enough as they prefer the shade and have settled out of clear view. I couldn't believe how lucky we got (he was!) when it descended to a Bramble right by the bench we were sitting, Not great pics she never stayed still long, seeking nectar but I suspect not overly happy in this sunny and hot location, but my best so far.

From Bavins Shaw, North Kent on 13th. July. That day, I counted nine males, all patrolling a short stretch of path around one particular Buddleia bush and chasing each other...



I saw one solitary female further down the track, hiding from all the attention...

I knew I would have to choose one of my Valesina photos from Bucknell Wood but which one?

After dithering for some time, I have chosen this one for its lightness, glittering in the early morning sun - almost a Platinum-washed Frit!
Mike

MikeOxon wrote:...After dithering for some time, I have chosen this one for its lightness, glittering in the early morning sun - almost a Platinum-washed Frit!

Nicely captured, Mike. Almost a cobalt-blue dusting on that hindwing.

In Pembrokeshire, I often see SWFs into September. No chance of that in 2018 following the heatwave; even by 16 August, females were looking decidedly worn out:

My favourite Silver-washed Fritillary photo has to come from an amazing day on one of my many trips to Bucknell Wood last summer recording the butterflies.The area had a fantastic amount of Silver-washed Fritillaries nectaring and not only did this beautiful form valezina pose nicely for a snap it was joined by a couple of nice abberrations too, pics of which I've also inlcuded below!

I saw my first Silver-washed Fritillaries of 2018 in Fermyn Woods in late June but I was concentrating on Purple Emperors for most of the morning and by the afternoon they were bombing around at high speed in the hot afternoon sun so no photos of them from that trip.

In early July a visit to Snitterfield Bushes by Stratford-upon-Avon produced good numbers including a valesina. It was another very warm day but a few wandering clouds slowed them down occasionally which enabled me to get a few photos.
A couple of weeks later there were plenty flying at Oversley Wood but most were looking worn and tired by now after almost continuous activity in the warm conditions.
Cheers,

Neil.

Here we have an A. pamphilus f. valezina from the south of France on 7th July:
Chris

Silver-washed Fritillary

I didn’t have much luck with this species this year and they were one of those species which were almost ‘blink and you’d missed them’. Whilst trekking round Bentley they seemed to be fewer in number than in recent years so choosing my Fave was quite easy. I went for this one as I love the way that it illustrates their cryptic patterning. One minute big ginger Beastie – the next it vanishes amid the fronds.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

dave,b,james wrote:...The area had a fantastic amount of Silver-washed Fritillaries nectaring and not only did this beautiful form valezina pose nicely for a snap it was joined by a couple of nice abberrations too, pics of which I've also inlcuded below!

Fabulous, Dave! That sure was a productive day.

I got some lovely images of SWF from a visit to Alners Gorse on 26th June. My favourite is this action shot of one moments away from being ambushed!

CallumMac wrote:I got some lovely images of SWF from a visit to Alners Gorse on 26th June. My favourite is this action shot of one moments away from being ambushed!

Need to shout "Look behind you!"

My most memorable individual SWF from 2018 was the first valezina I have seen in many years of looking. It sadly didn't open up for a photo, but the underside shots provide the record.Seen at Chiddingfold on 16th July.

Dave

Silver-washed Fritillaries were abounding in this particular woodland glade at Sillans-la-Cascade (Var, France) in June. This photo makes a change from the numerous ones where the butterfly disappears before the photo is taken!