Close Encounters

Here are some of the friends we made during our recent camping trip:

A Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar, who seemed intent on reaching the top of our umbrella as we curled up under it to get out of the sun for a while.  It made it, despite a few flicks into the grass when I thought it might drop on our heads.

Marbled White - rescued from the sea by Rob and drying off in Annie's hands.

 Finally ready to fly.

 Back at the tent, we had a visit from a Common Toad - caught it trying to get in the food box.

Distinguishable from the Common Frog by it's warty skin, less bulbous eyes and stumpier back legs and body.

 We all had a hold before he hopped away.  I didn't know at the time that toads secrete a poisonous substance from glands behind their eyes called Bufotoxin.  This can cause a reaction in humans from an itchy rash to cardiac failure.  Toady here must have known we were just curious and wouldn't harm it, but I think I'll be more respectful in future.

 Annie and I saw many moths over the week, some very teddy-bearish.  Unfortunately they were all in the ladies loos, and marching in there with my camera may have caused some alarm among fellow campers, so I resisted.  However, this pumpkin seed that turned out to be a  Common Footman, showed up in our tent as we were folding it away.

Here photographed on Rob's boot (after several futile attempts to focus on it while it sat on my lens, grinning at me through the barrel, well, perhaps not grinning.)

Mating Glanville Fritillaries

A break in the clouds yesterday, had me reaching for my walking boots and field bag, and dashing out of the house before you could say, 'What about the washing up?'  Each year, about this time, Island nature lovers are on the look out for the Glanville Fritillary.  This stunning butterfly, once found as far north as Lincolnshire, is now mainly confined to the south coast.  A couple of weeks ago, I noticed they were about, but they didn't settle very often and when they did it was frustratingly out of reach.  Yesterday however, they were distracted, as you can see.

Below you can see the characteristic orange spots with black centres on the yellow post-discal band on the hind wings.

According to How To ID Butterflies by Richard Lewington, the male is lighter in build and colour than the female, which would make him the bottom one in my photo.  You can have a guess at the sex while in flight (the butterlies, not you) as the male will patrol habitat edges looking for a mate, while the female generally lays low among the vegetation.

Stealth Mode

Something I need to work on is my approach.  So far, I've learnt not to come between my subject and the sun, and that a sudden sneeze is alarming for small creatures.  I followed this Greenfinch around for quite a while, but eventually managed to get a half decent shot, albeit from a distance.

 A little later, I startled this Male Common Blue, as it rested on the path in front of me.  I watched it fly around and land again, then practised my stealth skills.  After one false alarm (I'd crept excellently up to a blue flower that looked a lot like a butterfly) I managed to track it and snap it, resting on some Salad Burnet.

Holly Blue

I've always enjoyed seeing the Holly Blues this time of year, but have never been lucky enough to catch one on camera.  This one, however, hung around long enough for me to faff about and still get a picture.

I was wondering how to tell if I was looking at a male or female, when she gave the game away by curling her abdomen and laying some eggs.

Most definitely one of my favourite butterflies.  My next challenge is to get a shot of the upperside.  Might be a while!