Even after x number of years kicking around this planet I still get excited when I witness something new. Just last week was a good example. I was mowing the grass, the day had been cool and cloudy now the sun was breaking through. In a patch of nettles and other assorted wild plants a flash of orange caught my eye. Went to investigate, there to my absolute delight were three male Orange-tip butterflies (Anthocharis cardamines) roosting together on the same flower head of cow parsley. I have never seen this before so thought it better be recorded, the grass can wait!



And there he stayed for the rest of the afternoon. What were they missing out on? Well as they dozed away the day two female Orange-tips were in the back garden patrolling the flower beds, unlucky boys!
Fabulous pictures! I’ve been trying to capture an Orange Tip while in the UK for the past 3 weeks, but they were too quick for me, so 3 is amazing! I’m now back home and looking forward to my next walk in the mountains. The weather has been cold though (with snow the other day, now gone, and ice formed on the top of our compost lid last night) and the forecast is for rain tomorrow and grey skies later in the week. So it may be in a few days time. But then, I have some blogging to catch up on anyway.
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Thanks Mike, yes they can be tricky to photograph. Sounds like spring is late in the Alps but I’m sure it’ll be worth it when it arrives.
You managed to call the football correctly, we are the champions!
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Yes, congratulations on your promotion. Next year will be tough though.
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Absolutely, but there is no point in playing if you don’t want to win something. What happens next season will be interesting, we might surprise one or two teams. Outside the big six everyone is fighting relegation!
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Simply marvelous, Mr. B.
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Thanks Ark.
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Such wonderful shots! 🙂
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Thank you Takami, appreciate that.
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I always look forward to your work, both nature and motorcycles 🏍 🙂
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That is very kind of you my friend, 😃
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And wheels 🏎
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Sorry, I do have a shot of an Orange Tip, as you will see tomorrow. It’s nowhere near as good as your though!
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These are just wonderful photos Brian! Lucky for you, you got to capture in your own garden.
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Always special when it’s close to home, many thanks CJ for your comment.
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Nice shots! I often remark how nature’s camouflage always amazes me and these orange tip butterflies with their wings closed are just another example. I wouldn’t have seen them in the first photo if the one did not have its wings partially open.
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You are right David, I would have missed them completely if one hadn’t moved.
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Exciting find, terrific photos too!
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Thanks Belinda, luckily they were very sleepy so I could compose some decent images.
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Very nice photos of butterflies that do not like sitting. It takes a lot of patience to photograph her so well
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Indeed Werner they are usually forever on the move, I have been very fortunate to get some nice images of this beauty.
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They have been impressively successful, this kind of butterfly does not always make it easy for the photographer
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How exciting! Oh, yes the grass could wait! They’re beautiful, and so well camouflaged if not for the orange I’m sure I would miss them.
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Exciting indeed Deborah, I’ve been looking for more but no luck.
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Wow Brian. Breathtaking shots!
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Many thanks Simone, very nice models posing for me!
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Wow!! These are amazing, lucky you who found them and as always managed to capture them so well!!
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Thanks Anita, I was thrilled to see them!
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Took me a second to translate your “three” caption as I was just staring at the obvious one. Quite a dramatic shift from the outer wings to the inner wing paint. I completely understand the priorities on mowing, I’ve left my share of mows to chase something that flew past – Linda still doesn’t believe all the flying unicorns that seem to make an appearance at just the right time ha! Well executed shots once again.
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That cammo on those flowers is superb and if that doesn’t work the flash of orange warns predators ‘not good to eat’ as this species cats eat plants containing mustard oil.
Yet to get a unicorn whilst mowing, must try harder 🤣🤣
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I admit it—you’ve sold me on butterfluffs!
A terrible year for them in Southland here, I think just three all summer—a desert, in fact.
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That’s not good!
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Such an amazing, colorful butterfly! It looks like gold leaf on the back of the wings, how beautiful. Most definitely, the grass could wait!
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Wonderful to have this in your own garden and also excellent captures!
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Many thanks Sven!
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I am glad you did stop mowing the lawn to take these wonderful shots Brian! I love Orange Tips, especially the males, and they normally appear on a woodland margin near here.
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You have certainly been making up for lost time Pete! That was a wonderful moment seeing those three, I’ve looked since but nothing even though they still visit the garden.
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Such beautiful photos!
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Big thanks!
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