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Adonis Blue - Favourite Photo of 2024

Week 1

Here we go on another 20 week journey of recollection and reminiscence.

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.

Off we trot then!

Have a goodun

Wurzel
P.S. Even though the grand finale, the Overall Favourite Butterfly Photo of 2024 is still 20 weeks away you might want to pick that one first so as not to use it up

Not surprisingly, the most memorable photos tend to be the unusual ones, so here are two aberrant males. One was seen on Box Hill on 17th August......and the other the following day across the Mole Gap at Denbies Hillside.Another one sticking in the memory that might qualify as an ab. was also seen at Denbies but in the first brood back on 19th May. The marginal black spots are quite striking.Finally, my overall favourite pose was from the same place on the same day. Dave

My Adonis Blue photo summed up the butterfly year for many. Set of early for a Essex and Cambridgeshire BC meeting at Devil's Dyke Cambridgeshire on the 25th May to see first brood Adonis Blue. Left home in North East Essex in sun with a good forecast. As we arrived the heavens opened, after an hour and a half drive we were not to be deterred. Waited for a lull in the rain and when to see if anything could be found on the slippery slopes.
We did find half a dozen Adonis Blue hidden in the grass. Julian

millerd wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 6:32 pm...and the other the following day across the Mole Gap at Denbies Hillside.

Helluva thing, Dave.

David M wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2024 7:22 am Helluva thing, Dave.

Denbies is known for turning up these abs, David. I see something similar there at least once pretty well every year.

Having looked at the list and descriptions therein, I think the first three butterflies in my post could be considered (in order) as:

ab. obsoleta
ab. krodeli
ab. puncta

Dave

I don't always get to see both broods of Adonis Blue but managed it this year with a visit to Prestbury Hill near Cheltenham in May providing some nice fresh males.
A few days in Dorset in early September produced some second brood at all the usual spots but numbers were definitly down on what I used to see there a few years ago.
Cheers,

Neil

That first one's worthy of the annual competition, Neil!

Adonis Blue Favourite Photo 2024

This was taken at my first visit to Ashton Rowant. I had to kill a day whilst the girls were off doing Swiftie things at Wembley and by happy coincidence Dave was planning to make a visit there too. I was impressed with the butterflies – Silver-spots seemed to be okay to me although I didn’t have any prior data but what was best about the day were the second brood Adonis Blues. There were a couple of male about of which this one was the best looking. Hence this as my choice of Favourite as it encapsulated a cracking trip with great company.
Have a goodun

Wurzel

Missed out on this species in the UK this year, but saw plenty abroad, one of which was this individual photographed in Romania in late May:

millerd wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 6:32 pm Not surprisingly, the most memorable photos tend to be the unusual ones, so here are two aberrant males. One was seen on Box Hill on 17th August...1723919087_AB ab3 170824.JPG...and the other the following day across the Mole Gap at Denbies Hillside.1723991613_AB ab1 180824.JPGAnother one sticking in the memory that might qualify as an ab. was also seen at Denbies but in the first brood back on 19th May. The marginal black spots are quite striking.1716749682_ABab1 190524.JPGFinally, my overall favourite pose was from the same place on the same day.1716749350_AB7 190524.JPG

Dave

Great stuff, Dave! Your aberrations (in order) are ab. obsoleta, ab. krodeli and ab. puncta.

https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/aberrat ... =bellargus

Cheers,

- Pete

Seen in Aragon, northern Spain in April.

That second one is particularly striking, Ian. It's caught the light beautifully.

David M wrote: ↑Sun Oct 27, 2024 1:24 pm That second one is particularly striking, Ian. It's caught the light beautifully.

Thanks. It was a nice surprise whilst visiting my son in Zaragaoza.

Spose I should get started with the favourite threads!

On a bright overcast day this male allowed a nice closeup, only slightly cropped.

This took my eye on a dull day in the Italian Alps this spring