holly hunter pt 1

 

24-04-26 Third day in a row out photo-ing lepidoptera.

Nothing to do with the diminutive but fiesty American actor who I really like, despite being in the The Piano, a properly terrible mills-and-boonsian bodice-ripper dressed as art. Every character in it is loathsome, a trait shared with Power of the Dog another Campion highly-rated but thoroughly unlikeable movie.

small tort on wallflowers

I just thought it fun to reference the actor while actually talking about Holly Blues an entirely different movie star I have been shooting since 2019 with much enthusiasm. We thought they had gone from their favoured location at Postman's Walk, Aberlady. Until Richard saw a stray one on his way back to his car after a session there. I can't remember if we saw none there last year (first brood) or just hardly any. But it had been considerably fewer than previously, despite them appearing in many new Scottish venues, and going North to Tayport and even Stonehaven.

male holly blue

When Mary suggested taking the car out for some exercise I quickly steered the destination towards Aberlady and E. Lothian as it was sunny and we might follow up Richard's good news. This was the case, with several HBs (all male) being seen along the North field perimeter of Postman's, though fewer in the field corner where we'd previously seen them. The males were scouring the ivy clad walls for females as were we, although they were not stopping much to have their pics taken and most went without even a record shot. We counted 5 males and 1 female although it was tricky to know we weren't counting the same male on more than one occasion.

peacock

songthrush

another male

this time on the trees at the corner

This time the garlic mustard was flowering and as a result
was being visited by many passing orange tips and whites. 

GVW

lots of hovers - syrphus spec.

lesser celandine

Mary in next field - glorious weather for a nice change

small tort

false oxlip? 

speckled wood

water tower

We walked to the other end of the second field and did a bit beyond. Pretty much to the driveway of Luffness House. There is a bit there usually good for commas, peacocks and various whites but nothing much to point the camera at today. I was beginning to feel a bit let down by the place (a previous favourite, so high standards are expected always!) when on the return journey we (Mary) came across this spectacular female Holly Blue. Like common blues I think the females are more high tariff as they are found less frequently than the males and have more interesting marking on wings. This was a highly marked individual and did not hang about for many photos. It made my day.

when I straightened up the angle of photo the wings went
slightly out of focus although body and antennae still sharpish - weird

We walked back into Aberlady (Margiottas) to pick up a sandwich and drink. On the way, there were 2 starlings sat just above eye level in a tree right on the pavement. So close it was hard to get a decent line on them without stepping out onto the busy road. I was disappointed to not have got more photos of better quality as they were very close and didn't fly away initially. I love the sheen on starlings and it was nearly ideal conditions to show this (ie sunny!) A little too much shadow falling over them though. Mary had left her camera in the car!

sand martins over Luffness quarry

After lunch we drove to Luffness Quarry as Richard had reported an early small copper there. We found what we thought was the same one and sure enough it was the only thing there. (Other than fly-through whites and OTs.) Later examination showed it wasn't the same one (having no blue tail spots.) It is surprisingly hard to find small coppers even when you know they are there.

coppery small copper

sand martins

legs for the offshore windfarm

Finally we parked up the top of Gullane's West side and had a rummage around for walls or admirals on the red stone of the boundary wall there and along at the Millennium Cairn. Absolutely nothing other than fine views up and down the Forth and a handsome wagtail!

sir william wagtail

Japanese cherry?

Nice day out. Thanks to Mary for driving!