Back In The Bracken

It's warm, it's the end of June*, it's time to go playing in the bracken with the big frits!

And hoping the Horrible Horseflies don't come to play with me...



Thus it was that a Sunday not so early morning [on Nights, dontcha know] I was over in the fresh wind, clouds and Sunshine - 24°, though! - of Aish Tor. High Brown, Dark Green, and Silver-washed Fritillaries were on the menu, but did I actually get any on record???

And, were the Horseflies out, and if so did I get bitten somewhere painful**??

Let us see....

::Milkshake sound effect::

High Brown Fritillary

Observe the sex brands along the second and third veins [going up] in the upperwing - diagnostic of male HBF - of strain your eyes at the underwing.

Unlike previous years, the little darlings were being very stingy with underwing views. It was, despite the fresh breeze and frequent clouds, warm enough for them to bomb about gleefully, rarely landing for more than 10 seconds, and yet almost invariably keeping wings open.

Only one shot of an underwing proper and that was out of focus

Clearly High Brown Fritillary
[Yes, the only 'clear' thing in that]

ID Challenge

ID Challenge 2

Always something in the way

::Milkshake noise::

Photobomb!

Sitting in the lee of a Gorse bush for some rations, I composed a nice location shot. See all the lovely layers? Hitting the button was when a male Brimstone got in on the fun!

More than once I have wondered when I'll actually get a Brimstone in focus and not blasted by sunshine [like that female earlier this year].

Hmm, how about now?

Brimstone

Of course, these things rarely behave

But look at the shape

Right, apply some stalking

Which is not easy amongst Bracken leavened with Gorse and Brambles. Blood was shed, I can tell you.

But then;

Nice.

A point of note; the green hue you see here is inherited from the surrounding foliage. In flight, she appeared quite creamy white.

:)

Also about;

Painted Lady

Lots still going from the influx.

Hummingbird Hawkmoth!

Not the usual green Shield Bug

Long-nosed Bee-fly!

Different [smaller] Bee-fly sp.

Wasp mimic hoverfly sp.?

Brown Silver-line

Showing off said line

Another bad fritillary shot

Maybe just look at last year's post?

I did meet a Horsefly, which dropped by for a 'chat' as I was putting my stuff away. The short sharp hand-to-mandible combat that ensued resolved into a decisive defeat for the would-be bloodsucker. :)

Having also been attacked at Emsworthy, I can safely say "They're heeeeere..."

Be 'ware.


Be Seeing You...


[[* Well, it was at the time]]
[[**Ie. anywhere... :( ]]
[[HB, DG, DG, HB and finally HB.]]