Since moving to town some of my old haunts are now a few miles further to drive to. Because of this (and the forever on-going renovations) I have not visited them as much as I used to or as much as I would like to. Mid-week, before the mini heat wave hit, I dropped in on the (now not so) local heath to see if the Silver-studded Blues (Plebejus argus) had started to emerge, they had!
On the purple heather flowers these lovely and fresh butterflies made for some nice colourful images. When the sun was hidden by cloud they would temporarily ‘roost’ in the long grass. I found them quite easy to spot even though there were only no more than ten on the wing. Here’s a little sequence of shots I took as one got active again.
I have featured this species before in the past so will not bore you by repeating various facts. Just a couple of things for anyone new to the blog. The name is derived from reflective metallic scales in the outer row of black spots on the under hind wing, some adults lack these. The upper wing of the female is not blue but brown with orange spotting (lunules) on the outer edge.
Two other species were seen for the first time this year. The Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) Which is the UK’s most widespread and commonest butterfly. Also spotted was a Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus) which really isn’t that large.
Nice to return to a favourite site and watch the comings and goings. Must get back home, another room to refurbish.
Butterflies To Dragsters 
Good looking butterflies, wonderful photography!
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Thank you so much!
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Lovely photos of these beautiful butterflies!!!
I did not know you had moved. I may have been too busy moving myself. 😁 Wish you good luck with your new home, once it is finished with renovation and refurbishment. I know how it is, a mixture of joy and a lot of work.
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It’s been almost two years now Anita, time really does fly! We have been taking it steady but the pandemic didn’t help as getting materials and experts in proved difficult.
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Nice that you found the time again to visit the old places. Your photo collection is a beautiful result of your trip.
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Thank you Rudi.
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The butterflies are gorgeous, as are your photographs!
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Thanks so much, I have a soft spot for blue butterflies, ever since childhood they have fascinated me.
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I can completely understand why. It’s so neat to see the different species.
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I love all these little beautifies. So very well captured.
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Cheers Timothy. The blues are my favourite butterflies.
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Your visit was worth it…gorgeous butterfly images!
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A lovely few hours Indira and the butterflies posed nicely!
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Awesome images. I love those little blue butterflies but they are darn quick!
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Thanks CJ. The blue butterflies are my favourites, they can be a bit zippy!
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🦋
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Nice pics Brian. Now I’m jealous – I’ve not seen anything interesting around here at all recently. (I’ll have to get out more!!)
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Hi Mike! If you want a day out with butterflies thrown in (including a special sub-species of Silver-studded Blue and Grayling) get up to the Great Orme at Llandudno.
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What a satisfying collection of splendid photographs!
I’m jealous you managed a great shot of that Blue actually showing its “blue”! My experience has been those guys are reluctant to show off their upper side.
The Meadow Brown may be common but it certainly is attractive.
Just laying eyes on that skipper makes me dizzy! I didn’t know one could become dizzy while on your knees, but scrambling in the grass after a nervous skipper certainly made me disoriented.
Very happy you made the visit back to the heath and even happier you shared the results!
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Skippers can certainly give you the runaround, this one was no exception!
I found with blue butterflies they will open their wings just as the sun emerges and sometimes just as it clouds over. When active they tend to keep them shut, so it’s a case of finding one and waiting!
Thanks for dropping by Wally.
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We’ll worth the trip, wonderful photos!
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It was Belinda and glad you like the results.
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Wow, I think I saw some of those blue butterflies on a recent trip to Alaska! I could see the blue wings fluttering around, but never could get a good photo of them, and nothing with the wings open. They were beautiful! These are lovely photos you have here, thank you for sharing! 🦋
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Thank you Lisa. They can be frustrating, I usually spend several hours watching and waiting to get the photographs I want,
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Well, beautifully done!
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She was once very large the family of the blues. There was once. Many of them are already on our “Red List”. Arable toxins and lack of habitats are the most common reasons for their decline. I was able to observe the bird vetch photographed by the blue in the poor meadows of the Nollen ( flat dunes ) in the north of Holland .
You have very nice photos in your post.
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Thank you Werner. Luckily in the UK the blue butterflies are doing very well thanks to great conservation work.
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Beautiful blues!
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They really are Mr P!
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Beautiful series of images! Enjoyed seeing them!
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Thanks Reed!
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Glad you’re still close enough to enjoy these marvels and to share with us! Gorgeous set of photos.
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So am I Tina, glad you like these images.
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It’s nice to see the details of the wing pattern and movement, Brian. I hope you will be able to find the right balance between getting out and working on the house renovation.
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Getting that balance would be nice, I’m finding it difficult to keep motivated doing the renovations even though the finishing line is in sight!
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Finishing a major project is always satisfying. I hope you and your wife will be happy with the result.
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Said it once, will say it again, those Silver-studded Blues are absolutely gorgeous. Probably a the top of the list of Butters you have introduced me to over the years. Nice job getting those in the tin B!
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Thought you would like these B and they are fairly easy to photograph.
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Stunning photos!
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Really appreciate that, thanks!
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You’re welcome
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Nice post B!
The silver studded blues look nice! Great shots!
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Always good to get them fresh before they fade.
Thanks for dropping by A.
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I have yet to see a SIlver Studded Blue in the U.K. but I’ll keep looking! Lovely photos and great site, glad I found it.
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Thanks for dropping by!
SsB’s are restricted to some southern and eastern heaths also the Great Orme in Nth wales so you need to travel to find them.
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