Swallowtail - Favourite Photo 2018

[Wurzel]

Swallowtail - Favourite Photo 2018

Week 18

The end of the Favourites is in sight even if the weather is still wintry - but as my lens is being serviced personally I hope spring takes at least 4 more weeks to get started Just another gentle nudge that soon it will be time to post your Overall Favourite shot from 2018.

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

[IanGD]

I found this one nectaring on a tall Marsh Thistle at Strumpshaw Fen in early June. Over a period of 20 minutes it flew off and glided back several times providing wonderful views but awkward to photograph. Eventually it settled on a flower cluster right in front of me. A truly memorable experience.

[David M]

Beautiful, Ian. The britannicus form is surely the most attractive?

[David M]

Afraid I'll have to resort to images of gorganus from the French Alps in early July 2018:

[Neil Freeman]

The highlight of my 2018 butterfly season was the Swallowtails that I saw in Norfolk between June 10th and 14th.

A full report is in my PD at viewtopic.php?f=29&t=5424&start=2440

Favourite photos include those below of one individual seen at Strumphaw on some rough ground a little way past the late Doctors garden,

Swallowtail - Strumpshaw Fen 10.06.2018

Swallowtail - Strumpshaw Fen 10.06.2018

Swallowtail - Strumpshaw Fen 10.06.2018

and a couple from How Hill,

Swallowtail - How Hill 13.06.2018

Swallowtail - How Hill 13.06.2018

Cheers,

Neil.

[John W]

I didn't go to Norfolk at the right time for Swallowtail butterflies this year but I did see this fine plump caterpillar while on a trip in search of Graylings later in the year.

Ranworth Broad visitor centre, July 30 2018, 8.01pm

Cheers
John W

[Wurzel]

Swallowtail

My choice for this year came from my family holiday to the Dordogne. Over the week that we were there I saw only three Swallowtails and this was the only one that stopped and even then I managed only three shots before it was up and off! Still at least that made my decision making process much easier!

Have a goodun

Wurzel