Until July 2017, documenting the seasons of coastal Dorset. I'm a complete amateur so don't trust I'm always right. If ever you see I'm wrong - whether with identifications or in anything else - do say! Meanwhile . . . I've now moved to Halifax in West Yorkshire. Click on the link below to collect the new URL. Don't forget to follow there!

Thursday 16 May 2013

THE SPECKLED WOOD'S BOTTOM

Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) on leaf with wings part open.
Speckled Wood Butterfly (Parage aergeria) on Brambles
May 16th 2013
I was photographing dandelions. I couldn't stop photographing dandelions. I love dandelions.

A sign came up on my camera to say the battery was almost spent.

When a butterfly arrived.

As I chased it around, it struck me that we are a bit conventional when it comes to butterflies.

We like to see the pretty side of their wings.

Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) on bramble leaf with wings closed.
Speckled Wood Butterfly - Parage aegeria
May 16th 2013

We like them to stop a moment. Even the undersides of their wings are interesting.

But, just as I showed the face of the Red Admiral in the last post. (Did you notice its curled and withdrawn proboscis?) I thought you might like to see the rear end of this Speckled Wood butterfly. (Pararge aegeria)

Speckled Wood Butterfly (Pararge aegeria) from behind.
Speckled Wood Butterfly - Parage aegeria
May 16th 2013

I wish I had such an elegant bottom!

* * *
For the UK Butterflies Speckled Wood Page - click HERE.
And to go to its page on the Learn About Butterflies site - click HERE.
The links will take you to lots of information about the Speckled Wood but perhaps I should mention here that however dramatic it looks in the pictures, this isn't a large butterfly. I doubt each wing of this individual was as much as an inch from body to tip.

7 comments:

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

Beautiful photos - I love it when I can get a chance to catch a butterfly with my camera.

Anonymous said...

Most enjoyable and terrific pictures. They're such wonderful, almost magical, creatures which are always good to see.
Good timing with this post as tomorrow it's the start of Save Our Butterflies week. Flighty xx

Jenn Jilks said...

Well captured!
I know about that battery issue! So many photos to take, so little juice in the battery!
Cheers from Cottage Country!

Mark Willis said...

The only butterflies I have seen in my garden so far this year are Brimstones and some little blue ones (type unknown), but I hope to see some Speckled Woods at some stage.

NatureFootstep said...

wonderful shots of the Speckled woods. If you wish you can share it the coming week on NF Winged. A meme for all creatures with wings.

http://nfmemes.blogspot.se/

Down by the sea said...

Your are so right about photographing butterflies with their wings open. It looks so interesting from other angles too!
Sarah x

Pat Tillett said...

I just don't see as many butterflies these days. Nice photos!