fluttering by

Flurry after the Scurry! 28th July

Later in the same day of the Scurry to the Sea Race, Mary drove us to Gullane. She had not been racing, had fresh legs and was keen to do the usual circuit. My legs were not so fresh but I hoped a warm down would help. To our surprise the weather improved immeasurably and when we arrived at Gullane we were met by the latest migration of Painted Ladies. There were loads all along the coast up and down the country and it was a delight to have them taking off as we ran around the usual trails of the John Muir Way, across the bridge at Aberlady and back along the beach. It felt very European somehow, even though I've never experienced this many butterflies anywhere in Europe.

Painted Ladies

large white sharing the buddleia near the public loos, Gullane

small coppers and meadow browns near the golf course

the DGFs were coming to the end of their season

small copper standing its ground surrounded by painted ladies

While it was glorious to have so many Painted Ladies to photograph and admire, they very quickly became common-place. So that if one wasn't perfectly placed; up high on a flower or in a group shot all in the same frame, it was easy to dismiss it, knowing there would be a better opportunity along shortly. They definitely lost a bit of the excitement I would normally associate with coming across this spectacular butterfly. I know other enthusiasts felt the same so it wasn't just me being shallow. Although I admit that it did feel a bit shallow. Rarity certainly adds cachet and this huge migration, while I greatly enjoyed it and was agog with wonder about how, and why, and how many, I slightly regretted the fact that these marvelous creatures had totally devalued their stock by flooding the marketplace. 

On the upside: three weeks later and the huge swarms have mostly died off and once again we are back to just single specimens emerging from the previous migration's eggs and caterpillars. I came across a couple of individuals this weekend and I was very pleased to see and photograph them again. Now that there aren't dozens everywhere they are special again! Phew!

fox moth caterpillar

purple patch
5 painted ladies, 3 burnet moths, a small copper and a meadow brown

It was great to see so many butterflies on a day when earlier the rain had been bouncing off the pavements. My legs survived the run, though I preferred the walking and taking photos bits more than the 6 miles of shuffling round the trails. 

31st July
A few days later the sun was out and I had enough time off to pop round the botanics. Mostly looking for butterflies to photograph. As well as the large influx of Painted Ladies there were one or 2 locals. Lots flying around these yellow flowers in the herbaceous border, including just one comma. But a very obliging comma, as commas go. I also bumped into Ken who spends so much time there he knows all the butterflies and half the staff. I was surprised I was one Speckled Wood ahead of him having seen one near the West Gate. 

commatastic!

I tried to resist the lure of the Painted Ladies and failed.

west gate wood

a common darter

There were a couple of darters near the large holly trees (quick scan for Holly Blues always!) to the side of the herbaceous border. This surprised me as it is not particularly near any water features.

focus on comma not PL

peacock kept its distance

I got the feeling the butterflies were all a bit relaxed. Perhaps mildly intoxicated by the nectar they had in abundant supply, or maybe because they outnumbered the visitors who were more interested in the plants in general. I took advantage of their boldness by taking pics not with the zoom, but putting the camera very close to the individuals and taking macro shots. You can begin to see the structure of the scales on their wings. And if one flew away because I was just about prodding it with the camera lens, there was another next door that might be willing to help out. Ken said normally he'd disapprove of such heavy handed interaction, but since there were so many.....

The comma was slightly more standoffish than the vanessids but every now and then would circle back round and land nearby for another couple of photos. Just before we left a small white and green veined white both appeared and sat near to each other making for a great comparison. They are often difficult to tell apart until you see them landed.

small and green veined whites
note: wingtips and underwings

small tortoiseshell

One of these days when you return home with hundreds of photos to work through. Nothing better! I left Ken heading to the rock garden where he found a speckled wood just as chucking out time was approaching.

Ken