I visited Barnack Hills and Holes the other day and was greeted by clouds of Chalkhill Blues. There were hundreds of these lovely blue butterflies flying around in the sun and feeding on knapweeds and scaibiouses. Whilst revelling in this far too rare sight I trod in some dog pooh! Lovely, I thought, why can't dog owners clear up after their pets?! However, I was soon finding little blue butterflies coming down to feed on this 'delightful' deposit. Cleaning the foul smelling muck from my shoe, I proceeded to snap away.
I didn't see any females feeding this way, what does that say?! Shatters the picture somewhat, doesn't it?
I've often seen this but, unlike you, never felt the urge to join in!
ReplyDeleteHi John,
DeleteI know it's a pretty revolting thing to take photos of, but I just couldn't believe what I was seeing!
J
There are very few butterflies around the Shropshire hills this year. Bees are fairly sparse too, except for bumble bees. My garden is full of attractive plants for all kinds of insects, and I live close to a river and meadows as well as open fields and small woods, yet hardly any insects.
ReplyDeleteWe have had a tremendous lot of rain, of course.
I'd love to find a cloud of blues, I'd even find a nice steaming heap of pooh for them if I could entice them to come.
Hi Friko,
DeleteYes, the rain hasn't helped with insect activity this 'summer', although the last week in Peterborough has been pretty decent so there have been a few flutters and other insects about. We have had a few different bees in the garden, which is a good sign.
J
http://egyptdragonflies.blogspot.co.uk/2010/08/blog-post.html
ReplyDeletethings on poo
Thanks for the link, very interesting! :)
DeleteJ
Which just goes to show that butterflies can dress up anything! You are mentioned over my way, FYI, on the post up now.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
DeleteYes, even smelly dog pooh! ;)
Will race over there right away!
J
Quite a contrast isn't it? A delightful creature and it's chosen target!
ReplyDeleteClick here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi Bazza,
DeleteYes, a pretty thing and a pretty smelly thing!
J
Now I know what I need to attract some flutters ;)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't advise it John, not very nice in your own garden! It's bad enough at a nature reserve! ;)
DeleteJ
Wonderful images John..
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew,
DeleteNot a particularly pleasant subject, but it still shows nature at its most natural!
J
Such delightful creatures.....such disgusting tastes ;-) I went looking for them on Friday and found some but not in the numbers you did, mind you there was no pooh around! Coincidentally I saw, on another blog just yesterday, a large pile of Chalkhills enjoying a similar 'delicacy'.
ReplyDeleteYour photos really do show what a beautiful colour they are when their wings are open.
Hi Jan,
DeleteYes, they are such delicate, attractive looking things, with an obvious lack of smell!
Thank you about the photos, they are a lovely colour.
J
Lovely images John, despite the surroundings.{:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Roy,
DeleteWish it could have been better, but it brought in the flutters!
J
John: Thank you so much for saving me from my poor ID skills. (It's not the first time I've goofed on the mallard, and I see them all the time.) I am surprised not to have been called out on the nightingale (yet), I was so unsure on that. I really love that you came by--it's wonderful for me to get help from the experts, so thank you again.
ReplyDeletePS: Back home, on the bluebird front, the bluebirds have had a second successful brood! Saw a baby peak its head out repeatedly a few days ago. Missed the actual fledge, but subsequently watched where mom flew with a tasty morsel in her beak, and there was a handsome little bluebird high on an oak (way too far away to get a photo, but I saw it, and it definitely wasn't a mallard :))! Three clutches, two successful, this is a first.
Hi Susan,
DeleteYou are more than welcome. I would be the same with birds from your side of the pond. By the way, I am certainly no expert.
Good news on the Bluebirds, two successful broods, great result!
J
I am so happy to have your additional identifications--common whitethroat seems exactly right! I have so enjoyed this bird-identification session with you--it would be fun to do it live! One day, eh? I was, after all, very close to Peterborough, wasn't I? Cley is just so, so, wonderful, isn't it?
DeleteOh, sorry to take up so much space over here. I am just so excited. I do hope you'll excuse me!
Glad to be of help Susan. I hope you didn't mind me sticking my oar in when it came to bird I.D. As I said, I am certainly no expert and am constantly getting birds wrong, but with experience and help from friends I am slowly building up my knowledge!
DeleteJ