Have put some pics from today on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/809803@N24
the internet is v.slow so will transfer some pics onto this site when i get back.
if anyone can say what the moth is i would be grateful
Charles
Charles Nicol
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Charles Nicol
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Charles Nicol
Arrived in France yesterday. Weather warm but cloudy. Quite windy.
Have put some pics from today on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/809803@N24
the internet is v.slow so will transfer some pics onto this site when i get back.
if anyone can say what the moth is i would be grateful
Charles
Have put some pics from today on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/809803@N24
the internet is v.slow so will transfer some pics onto this site when i get back.
if anyone can say what the moth is i would be grateful
Charles
Last edited by Charles Nicol on Fri Aug 13, 2010 4:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Padfield
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Re: Charles Nicol
Hi Charles,
The moth is Zygaena occitanica - beautiful!
I hope the weather picks up for you. Here in the Alps it has suddenly turned grim. But the good news is that the recent good weather has brought huge numbers of butterflies onto the wing, so whenever the sun comes out you should be able to find things!
Happy hunting,
Guy
The moth is Zygaena occitanica - beautiful!
I hope the weather picks up for you. Here in the Alps it has suddenly turned grim. But the good news is that the recent good weather has brought huge numbers of butterflies onto the wing, so whenever the sun comes out you should be able to find things!
Happy hunting,
Guy
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Re: Charles Nicol
Thanks Guy !! At first i thought that the moth was one of those brightly coloured shield bugs...
I was thrilled to find the fresh Large Blue. It was quite happy to pose for pics.
Am looking forward to intensive butterfly hunting. Have purchased replacement straw hat ( 5 euros ) for one i left at home.
Charles
I was thrilled to find the fresh Large Blue. It was quite happy to pose for pics.
Am looking forward to intensive butterfly hunting. Have purchased replacement straw hat ( 5 euros ) for one i left at home.
Charles
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Re: Charles Nicol
the weather is improving...should be hot & suny tomorrow onwards. today i visited a remote poplar wood & was thrilled to see a Lesser Purple Emperor. Magical.
Unfortunately i did not get the pic due to the high wind...will try again sometime.
Charles
Unfortunately i did not get the pic due to the high wind...will try again sometime.
Charles
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Padfield
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Re: Charles Nicol
Here's my experience of photographing lesser purple emperors.
When males land on a forest track, it is invariably a little distance from their target poo and they spend some time walking around, slowly homing in on the poo. During this walkies period they are flighty and any close approach might disturb them. When they find their poo, though, they tuck into it with relish and you can comfortably get right in close, even touch them!
So be patient. Wait, watch and enjoy until they are happily guzzling, then go in for the piccie.
Sometimes, especially if you are sweaty, you will find the target is not poo but you. Then, too, it is best to wait until they reach your shoe or trouser or T-shirt or whatever before making movements.
Guy
When males land on a forest track, it is invariably a little distance from their target poo and they spend some time walking around, slowly homing in on the poo. During this walkies period they are flighty and any close approach might disturb them. When they find their poo, though, they tuck into it with relish and you can comfortably get right in close, even touch them!
So be patient. Wait, watch and enjoy until they are happily guzzling, then go in for the piccie.
Sometimes, especially if you are sweaty, you will find the target is not poo but you. Then, too, it is best to wait until they reach your shoe or trouser or T-shirt or whatever before making movements.
Guy
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Re: Charles Nicol
Thanks for that info Guy... this one did not descend to the track but flew past me & perched for 30 seconds about 5 feet up a small poplar tree. Maybe it was a female...
I have put some more pics on flickr ( http://www.flickr.com/groups/809803@N24 ) ...maybe someone could identify the two moths & the hairstreak ? the marbled white looks different from the UK variety.
Charles
I have put some more pics on flickr ( http://www.flickr.com/groups/809803@N24 ) ...maybe someone could identify the two moths & the hairstreak ? the marbled white looks different from the UK variety.
Charles
Last edited by Charles Nicol on Fri Aug 13, 2010 4:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Charles Nicol
So far i have seen...
Wood Whites 2
Red Admirals 5
Meadow Browns 2
Gatekeepers 20+
Walls 20+
Clouded Yellows 6
Silver Washed Fritillary 6
Heath Fritillary 4
Grizzled Skipper 2
Small Skipper 1
Marbled White 50
Large White 6
Small White 6
Comma 1
Lesser Purple Emperor 1
Large Blue 1
Common Blue 12
Scarce Swallowtail 6
Machaon Swallowtail 3
Graylings 4
Great Banded Graylings 20
Southern White Admiral 4
So far no Pashas. Hugely reduced numbers of all Fritillaries. Hardly any of the Grizzled Skippers which were abundant in previous years. Marbled Whites more than previous years.
The highlight so far is today's Lesser Purple Emperor... a wonderful sighting
Charles
Wood Whites 2
Red Admirals 5
Meadow Browns 2
Gatekeepers 20+
Walls 20+
Clouded Yellows 6
Silver Washed Fritillary 6
Heath Fritillary 4
Grizzled Skipper 2
Small Skipper 1
Marbled White 50
Large White 6
Small White 6
Comma 1
Lesser Purple Emperor 1
Large Blue 1
Common Blue 12
Scarce Swallowtail 6
Machaon Swallowtail 3
Graylings 4
Great Banded Graylings 20
Southern White Admiral 4
So far no Pashas. Hugely reduced numbers of all Fritillaries. Hardly any of the Grizzled Skippers which were abundant in previous years. Marbled Whites more than previous years.
The highlight so far is today's Lesser Purple Emperor... a wonderful sighting
Charles
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Padfield
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Re: Charles Nicol
Hi Charles.
The moths are not my area, but the hairstreak is surely false ilex (Satyrium esculi). The marbled white is an extremely pale Melanargia lachesis. I can't remember where you said you were, but if these two IDs are right you have to be in the extreme south of France. If you're not, I'll revise them!!
Guy
The moths are not my area, but the hairstreak is surely false ilex (Satyrium esculi). The marbled white is an extremely pale Melanargia lachesis. I can't remember where you said you were, but if these two IDs are right you have to be in the extreme south of France. If you're not, I'll revise them!!
Guy
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Re: Charles Nicol
Spot on Guy... i am 10 miles south of Carcassonne !!
Thanks for the IDs. I thought that the Marbled White looked unusual.
In a minute i am going to Rennes le Chateau for the afternoon. This is higher up so should get some new species...
The weather is still cloudy but not so windy. Plenty of rain last night.
Charles
Thanks for the IDs. I thought that the Marbled White looked unusual.
In a minute i am going to Rennes le Chateau for the afternoon. This is higher up so should get some new species...
The weather is still cloudy but not so windy. Plenty of rain last night.
Charles
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Re: Charles Nicol
Today i went to Rennes le Chateau , elevation 500m.
The Walls seemed to be replaced by Graylings. Otherwise the composition was similar to other locations.
New species = the Satyr ( see pic on flickr ). A very fresh Grizzled Skipper was photographed too.
Charles
The Walls seemed to be replaced by Graylings. Otherwise the composition was similar to other locations.
New species = the Satyr ( see pic on flickr ). A very fresh Grizzled Skipper was photographed too.
Charles
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Re: Charles Nicol
You have false grayling (Arethusana arethusa) in those pictures too, which I don't think you've mentioned.
Guy
Guy
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Re: Charles Nicol
thanks Guy... there did seem to be different sizes of Grayling.
i also saw a single Queen of Spain fritillary yesterday but it flew off before i could photograph it.
It is already sunny here so should be a productive hunt today.
Charles
i also saw a single Queen of Spain fritillary yesterday but it flew off before i could photograph it.
It is already sunny here so should be a productive hunt today.
Charles
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Re: Charles Nicol
The weather is now fabulous...it will be in the 90s at least today.
Yesterday i saw a new skipper ( ? Mallow )...pic on flickr
Charles
Yesterday i saw a new skipper ( ? Mallow )...pic on flickr
Charles
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Re: Charles Nicol
Possible sighting of Two Tailed Pasha flying over the river at 5pm
also large moth ( pic on flickr ) on tree trunk.
Charles
also large moth ( pic on flickr ) on tree trunk.
Charles
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Re: Charles Nicol
Today went to Montsegur which is 1250m above sea level. Saw this beautiful blue ( http://www.flickr.com/groups/809803@N24 )
Charles
Charles
Last edited by Charles Nicol on Fri Aug 13, 2010 4:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Charles Nicol
Just saw my first ever Hoopoe fly over the roof of the place i am staying.
Charles
Charles
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Re: Charles Nicol
Hot & humid today leading up to a violent thunderstorm just now which lasted over an hour.
New pics on flickr of...
Wall
Silver Spotted Skipper
Clouded Yellow
Silver Washed Fritillary
Purple Hairstreak
also saw first Painted Lady of the trip.
Charles
New pics on flickr of...
Wall
Silver Spotted Skipper
Clouded Yellow
Silver Washed Fritillary
Purple Hairstreak
also saw first Painted Lady of the trip.
Charles
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Re: Charles Nicol
Hi Charles.
Great pictures, as ever! You haven't mentioned knapweed frit, which you have pictures of, so I hope you have clocked that one up on your list!
Guy
Great pictures, as ever! You haven't mentioned knapweed frit, which you have pictures of, so I hope you have clocked that one up on your list!
Guy
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Re: Charles Nicol
Glad you are enjoying the pics Guy. I did not realise that Knapweed Frit was there... bonus !!
The storm did not stop after 1 hour... it regathered strength & lasted all night... things are a bit soggy at Butterfly HQ this morning
Charles
The storm did not stop after 1 hour... it regathered strength & lasted all night... things are a bit soggy at Butterfly HQ this morning
Charles
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Re: Charles Nicol
the weather has settled now.
have seen first Spotted Fritillary
& probable Male Lesser Purple Emperor flying across the river
Charles
have seen first Spotted Fritillary
& probable Male Lesser Purple Emperor flying across the river
Charles
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