“Roll up, roll up folks. Come and see the amazing spring. One day only, be sure not to miss it. roll up roll up”
Perhaps I’m being a bit pessimistic but our little bit of England, whilst being ‘green and pleasant’, has been a bit, er, ‘under the weather’. Others have been ok, over here northerly winds, grey and very cool but also extremely dry. Plants are growing and flowering but the poor old insects need to put on an extra woolly jumper! However the last day of April and the sun shone! After a week of having my head stuck in a pot of paint we just had to get out and enjoy it. To some this post will seem a bit ‘deja vu’ but I do like to visit old friends.

My choice of destination was Wiveton Downs about 20 miles west up near the North Norfolk coast. A lovely place at this time of year. The top of the hill is covered in flowering Gorse bushes which have a heady scent of coconut. The lower northern slope is sheltered and awash with Bluebells the flower of spring. We had not gone far when a tiny butterfly caught my eye as it fluttered low down by some Gorse. The first Green Hairstreak of the year. If it had not been flying almost impossible to see when perched.

Butterflies were out in good numbers along the lower path. Male Orange tips zig-zagging among the Bluebells looking for love, only stumbling across another male so a fight ensued. In fact all the butterflies were getting a bit aggressive, pent up hormones I guess. Only the little Holly Blues seemed quite sedate but not giving me many photo opportunities.





A really enjoyable few hours and with the forecast now set fair hopefully more to come. I have a lot more ‘old friends’ I would like to visit.
Wonderful Pictures.
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Thank you!
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Excellent captures Brian. I’m very jealous of the Green Hairstreak. I’ve not seen one of them yet this year. We have plenty of gorse and have had some warm weather recently, so I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled. Hopefully they exist on the ‘other’ side of the UK? 🤞🤞
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You will have to keep your eyes open on your walks (or golf) Mike, I’m sure there will be Hairstreaks near you.
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P.S. We did spot something quite large and yellowy green the other day flying into the distance, which I can only assume was a Brimstone, but I can’t be certain.
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Sounds like one Mike.
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Marvellous B! Unfortunately there is nothing much to see around here and even if there is it is too hot for me to spend a considerable amount of time outdoors…
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Thanks A. Pity you are not getting much action, love seeing your butterflies. The season is just getting started her, lot’s of species waiting to seen!
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What a phot-treat, Brian. And most I have never seen. Commiserate about the weather. It’s also been flipping chilly and dry in Shropshire, though some sunshine yesterday. The cold wind never seems to let up for long.
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Thanks Tish glad you like them. Thought it was looking good for next week but today’s forecast seems to have changed that, ah well.
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My cabbage and cauli plants are happy though – cool and wet just the job for them.
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Very nice series of photos, Brian. It’s spring, I guess and the pollinators are ramped up for the growing season. Hope you get a bit of rain (not too much) and that warmer temperatures (not too hot) are in the near future.
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Thank you Tina. Should be better next week even a drop of rain tonight so I might not have to get the hosepipe out again!
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You have some really nice “old friends”!
Superb photographs and I am totally jealous of all these beauties posing so nicely for you and knowing we have none in our area! There is a member of the Orangetip family that is rarely seen in the extreme NW part of Florida so I really need to visit my sister who lives there.
Very happy you were able to get out for a bit. Fingers crossed on fair weather ahead.
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Looking better Wally and I’ll give the renos a rest for a bit.
I’m jealous of all your wonderful dragons!
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Always been a fan of the Orange Tip – that Green-veined White I think is a new one for me. Love the antenna on that Green Longhorn Moth – as long as a cats! I chased a couple of interesting Butters on my recent trips, will try to get those out sometime soon so you can have a look at them – warning, those will not be anywhere near the quality of these.
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Look forward to seeing your efforts B, I’m sure they will be excellent (not Swallow in flight quality).
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These are absolutely amazing images of amazing butterflies!!! They are so beautiful and the Orange Tip, wonderful!
I’ve seen several different species of butterflies here in Cyprus. It’s so exciting but, as you know, they’re pretty tricky to capture with the camera. Time and patience are the key, as well as being in the right place at the right time. 😁
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You must try and photograph some of your butterflies Anita I would love to see them.
Thanks for your lovely comment.
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Ohh yes, I’ve tried. The other day I came home with lots of pictures, all with a tiny blue blurred spot. Guess what that little spot was, hahaa…😁
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I always enjoy your blog but, I think the first butterfly blogs of the year from you are always awesome! Still don’t have any idea how you get them to pose for you.😂
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Cheers CJ. The trick is to talk nicely to them, if that doesn’t work superglue!
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Hahaha. I will try that if I can just make them stop long enough…😂🤣
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Lovely set!
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Thanks Belinda.
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Brian, I hope you’re going to have more good weather so we can be treated to more beautiful photos like these!
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I really hope so Dries but what was a great forecast for next week has changed and left me feeling somewhat frustrated!
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With winter at our doorstep now, I know the feeling…
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Beautiful photos!
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Thank you.
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Beautiful captures! Love me some butterflies!
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Thanks! The best sign of spring.
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Beautiful photos
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Many thanks Nora.
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Beautiful old friends, Brian!
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Sorry for the delay Donna, your comment was in my spam folder!
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Wow, good shots 😀
Best regards
Bernhard
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Thank you so much for your visit and comment, much appreciated. B
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Great to see that spring has arrived in the UK and nice shoots too!
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Thanks Sven. Yes, it looks like being a good season, most species are out a bit earlier than normal.
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Amezing photos ! Excellent shot . All are beautiful ❤️
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Thank you so much, glad you like them!
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🙂🙂❣️❣️
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