Trunk Call

Setting off to pursue yet another elusive butterfly which was utter madness in the heat of today I did wonder if I was completely sane! 

After touring two woods with miles under my belt I wasn't having much success in tracking down my quarry. Hundreds of butterflies were flitting in the sunshine and though lovely to see they weren't what I was after. I was blasé about butterflies I'd have killed for a few weeks ago. The grasses were awash with meadow browns, hair-streaks, ringlets, marbled whites and thousands of skippers who all seemed to take delight in haranguing the silver-washed fritillaries when they flew into their territory. The white admirals were winging down the hedgerows being dive bombed by the fritillaries who in turn were followed by the skippers who were also harassing the dragons. Yes it was all go! 

The Extras: a purple hairstreak in the canopy, a white admiral and a white admiral wondering about a dip in the hot weather - just a few of the many shots of today and i haven't even looked at my macros.

This is a  female black-tailed skimmer