I make no apologies for doing another post featuring this little butterfly. Only two species have probably been aired more, the Purple Emperor https://blhphotoblog.wordpress.com/portfolio/purple-emperor-fermyn-roberts-field/ and Norfolk’s own the Swallowtail https://blhphotoblog.wordpress.com/portfolio/swallowtail-encounter/ Now those two are big, showy and in your face ( in the case of the Emperor quite literally). No, the Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) is small, dainty and goes about it’s business in a random and haphazard sort of way. If it was to appear in summer it would probably be overlooked among the myriad of other butterflies. However emerging as it does in April it is, for the butterfly lover, the harbinger of spring, the sign of good times ahead.

As I have mentioned the Orange-tip is small. It has a wingspan of 1.5 – 2 inches (40 – 52mm). The female lacks the orange but both are beautifully camouflaged on the under hindwing. Although this looks green, when seen close up it is a mass of yellow dots on a black background. The ability to blend in when roosting is excellent but if threatened by a predator a quick flash of that orange will give warning that it is not good to eat. The caterpillars eat garlic mustard and lady’s smock. Both these plants contain bitter oils which is passed through the butterfly’s life cycle.

Across Europe this dainty spring sprite has names more befitting to it’s beauty. The old English name was lady of the wood, in France ‘LAurore’ the rising sun and in Germany ‘Aurorafalter’ sunrise butterfly. So this innocent creature can’t possibly have a dark side? A few skeletons in the cupboard? Well yes. The eggs are laid singularly on the food plant and for good reason. When they hatch if the caterpillar happens upon a smaller brother or sister, well, they’re lunch! They are cannibalistic!
This April has been the sunniest on record. Though we have often had an easterly wind so it’s not always been warm. The last two days we have had some much needed rain. In a normal year I would see this butterfly in woodland rides, on riverbanks and along verges. However this has not been a normal year and those places are more or less ‘out of bounds’ and I have had to be content with seeing the ‘OT’ in and around my garden. As Countries start to ease restrictions be even more careful, stay safe!
Incredible wing details – brilliant photography! We’re getting a lot more orange tips here than I have ever seen this springtime 🌿
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It does seem to be a good year for them thanks to the sunshine. Always interesting to see them up close.
Thanks for popping by.
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Great photos. I’m still getting used to my new point and shoot, which appears a bit random with its focusing (at least in auto and Scene/macro mode), so I’m going to have to start investigating the Spot setting options.
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Takes awhile to get used to everything a new camera can offer. Thankfully being digital we can delete unwanted shots until we learn the correct settings. Keep practicing.
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This is a real beauty and beautifully photographed as always.
Some restrictions were lifted from today but my missus is a bit paranoid and refused to let me go for my morning jog around our suburb.
”Run round the garden! The cats and dog do, so why can’t you?’ Sheesh! Wimmin!
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Thanks Ark. Hasn’t been as strict here as in SA but could be a few weeks before we see any relaxation of the lockdown but roads seem busier as more people get a bit fed up not going out.
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This are gorgeous captures and a very interesting post. I had not a clue that this beautiful butterfly is a cannibal!😋 Stay safe!
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Strangely the Green-veined White also lays eggs on the same plants yet the Orange-tip caterpillar leaves those alone, possibly they eat different parts and do not meet.
Have a good weekend Greta.
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A good weekend to you as well Brian!
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Beautiful captures of beautiful subjects in beautiful settings. The only butterfluff I’ve seen down here all season was just yer basic cabbage white. Only about three of those, all season.
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Thank you Argus. That is a very poor score and somewhat worrying.
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Bees are very few and far between too.
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And that is even more worrying! We need pollinators or we are in deep doo-doo.
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Beautiful butterfly images! Enjoyed seeing them!
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Thanks Reed, enjoyed sharing.
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Really beautiful shots. I like that you caught the wings in their upper and lower positions; that’s not always easy. Good work!
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Thank you Tina. I talk to them nicely, works a treat!
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Your images are wonderful! Last August up in the High Sierras they were flitting around and I never did get close enough to get a good image. Thank you so much for sharing your images.
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Hi Deborah butterflies can be so frustrating to photograph often it’s about timing, there is often a period when they will settle then you have to take your chance.
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I agree! Unfortunately, last summer they were too far away in the bushes, and I couldn’t get in there after them. 😀 I kept wishing them closer, but that didn’t work.
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You are using the wrong wish words! No, there have been times I’ve dived into some nasty scrub after a shot and suffered. Butterflies may look innocent but they can be right little devils!
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So, you mean, “Here, Kitty kitty!” Isn’t it? 😂
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🤣🤣😂 er, no!
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Echoing others – gorgeous shots. We should have some here on the Mendocino coast, but I’ve never seen them. Cabbage and Margined whites, sulphurs, yes. We’re still in lockdown, although restrictions may ease the end of the month. We intend to act as though it were still on. Don’t think we’ll really be out of the darkness for a while. Be well.
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Wise move Katy I see this situation lasting a long time. Love to see some of your Cali butterflies.
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Simply wonderful shots, Brian. Did you put a spell on them to make them stay so still. Two flitted by me the other day as I was watching the MacMoos. There they were gone!
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Ah Tish I can not give away the magic formula! Seriously, as I tell others it’s timing. There is a period when all butterflies will settle, you just have to be patient and recognise that moment. Bit geeky but it keeps me sane during lockdown!
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With fine results, Brian 🙂
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Beautiful.
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Thanks Michael!
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Spectacular shots of a really beautiful butterfly. I am a big fan of the small butterflies too.
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Many thanks Mike. Big and brassy is not always best!
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I feel the same way about female birds–often I find their subdued coloration more attractive than that of her more brightly colored male counterparts.
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Sehr schöne Fotos .Es ist nicht immer einfach, diese unruhigen Falter zu fotografieren. Man muß Glück oder sehr viel Geduld haben, sie dann zu erwischen wenn die sich mal absetzen. Häufig fliegen sie sofort wieder auf . 👍👍👍
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Danke Werner. Sie sind schwierig zu fotografieren, es wartet darauf, dass sie in ihre “festgelegte” Periode eintreten. Wenn sie wandern, ist es hoffnungslos, sie zu verfolgen!
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Superb, Brian!
I don’t think we have anything similar here. Love that underwing camouflage.
Hopefully, things will be improving to the point where we’ll soon be trying to capture a bit of spring before she leaves completely.
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There are a few species of Orange-tip in the US but I’m not sure of the distribution Wally.
I think over here spring is written off as in visiting other areas. I also think summer is looking unlikely. We had so many plans and one by one they are being binned. Next week we were due to visit our daughter in Berlin, not sure when we will get another chance I doubt it will be this year. Difficult to keep cheerful at times.
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Looks like I will have to go north to see this beauty. A few sightings of Falcate Orange-tip (Anthocharis medea) have been reported in northwest Florida. Your photographs may motivate me to make a road-trip next spring!
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I like the hairy little bodies, almost as if they’re donning a fur coat!
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Guess because they are emerge early in the season and they have to stay dormant in periods of rain, cold and frost, furry coats come in handy!
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Absolutely amazing images Brian and very interesting to read and learn something new about these butterflies. Here on the island I’ve only spotted a very few so far, most probably I’m on the wrong place at the wrong time.
Take care and have a lovely weekend. 🌞
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Many thanks Anita. I would have thought Malta would be alive with butterflies in spring, I’m sure you will find them on your walks with Fanny.
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What beautiful butterflies. Fine detail and composition!
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Thanks Belinda. That first image I was in a very strange position to photograph, a bit like a contortionist, so was well pleased with the result.
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Cracking photos, Brian! I could photo these all day long … if only they would just let me 🙂
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They do lead you on a merry dance at times Pete! These two were quite approachable though.
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What an amazingly beautiful butterfly! Interesting how the under wing camouflage are the tiny yellow dots on the black background. The photo, really shows this detail. I do like to see the butterflies through your lens! Take care and stay safe as well.
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It is a little beauty Kim and even more so close up. Have a great weekend (whats left of it).
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Absolute beauties!
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Aren’t they just.
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Brian- Sorry I didn’t get to this until today been busy in my garden and volunteer garden. These images are stunning!! All I have seen as far as butterflies here are the small white ones that seem to lay their eggs on my rose bush and lettuce. I hate to destroy the eggs but… there is always a butt… I need to eat the lettuce and they do look unsightly on the rose bush. Be safe restocking at work! Kill off all those who are stupid and don’t maintain distances as if they come across the channel I will have to do that myself and not really in the mood for killing these days. Thanks! 😊
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Hi CJ we’ve been out in the garden as well and it’s looking good after the rains
I don’t know of any butterflies that lay eggs on roses, lettuce yes, so that’s got me stumped.
50% of people keep clear for the others I step aside and give them an exasperated look. Seems the longer this lockdown goes on the more people are becoming complacent.
Don’t think anyone will be coming across the channel anytime soon (except migrants heading this way). We should have been going to Berlin next week to see the Lemming, not sure when that will happen now. Sad times.
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How is the Lemming doing? I hear that lock down there is a bit stricter. This has got everyone’s travel plans messed up. I really don’t feel one onze if sadness for the grumpy old guy who lives next to us, his grandkids live here, his kid lives here. What does he have to be upset about? A neighbor that has chickens, who needs chickens to deal with my feelings about not seeing my children a ocean away in a country with crappy healthcare and the village idiot running the country. Nope… some people are just never happy and some can sing in a pile of poo.
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The kid’s been struggling a bit financially though we have helped out a little. She wants to be a big girl and live in a foreign land the least she and her boyfriend can do is learn the lingo so they can claim benefits!
Very head strong like her mum and dad. Good news is the Ramones museum she works in is about to re-open so she will have a little income.
Some people are born grumpy and can be right A* holes. Best approach is to just smile and be polite, keeps them on edge and confused!
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Yup! Kindness kills!!!
I know all about stubbornness and it being inherited, seems our Gray/Watts/DeWolf/Houtilling is a stubborn mix of English/Irish/Scots/Dutch! So can totally relate to independent girl. Good to know she is doing well. Good parents never have to worry but do anyway.😊
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Good photos! 😀
Have a great week and stay safe! 🙂
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Thanks Nuno, you have a good one too!
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Oh how this made my day! 🙂
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I aim to please! Glad you liked them Bryan.
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Whoa, very nice, love looking at your images!
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Cheers! Kind of you to say so, appreciate it.
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Fancy sending an imput for my site?
General content, but with reference to your site.
Suggest: specialities of your local patch.
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Not sure how I do that I’m not too tech savvy.
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When I click on your site name it comes back as northwesthampshirewildlife.wordpress.com is no longer available. Have you changed you site? I’m sure when your Common Blue post came up on my reader it was under a different name.
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