Monday, 31 May 2010

We had a good day today and I took a lot of photos, but I have to dedicate this post to the Marsh Fritillary. We met up with the very friendly John Nicholls. He showed me “Micro-Moths”. I have never heard of them before and if I had seen one on a Buttercup I would have thought it was some kind of bug! He showed us: Glyphipterix Simpliciella (aka Cocksfoot Moth) and Micropterix Calthella. Now, there is no way I could get a picture of these Moths, especially hand held so here’s some links to UK Moths’ website for anyone who is interested. Amazing!
http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=391 and http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=723.
John went off hunting for Moths at Ninestones after our chat, only to return a short while afterwards to show us what he had really been looking for; Marsh Fritillaries. Not one, but two and copulating! They were beautiful. What a privilege. We took some pictures and then left the loving pair to it, under a leaf! We met up with Steve and Patricia a short while afterwards and went back to the site. By the time they parted they must have been copulating for about an hour and a half that we knew of, so who knows how long they were actually together. Roger told me this evening that he knew of a record of copulation, which was 9 days (I hope that’s right). The ones we saw looked exhausted today so I cannot imagine what 9 days would do to them! My photos are below, but treat yourself to a viewing of Steve Rogers’ images and information on the rare Marsh Fritillary at: http://www.swopticsphoto.com/
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. I took this one with my camera on Steve's tripod; Steve set up the camera and I just pressed the button!

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12 comments:

  1. Monts1 June 2010 at 07:09

    Lovely images Angie of this pair and a real treat to see them. Thanks for letting us see.

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  2. Midmarsh John1 June 2010 at 08:54

    Well captured Angie. A flutter I have never seen.

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  3. Anonymous1 June 2010 at 10:16

    You are a fabulous "Presser" of buttons Angie.
    So lucky to see these Fritillaries.

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  4. JRandSue1 June 2010 at 15:54

    Fantastic images Angie,and congratulations on your Squacco Heron.
    FAB shots,and FAB blog.
    Well done.
    John.

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  5. Sam and Lisa1 June 2010 at 21:18

    Well done, now I know what a Marsh Fritillary looks like. Your blogs have developed into something special. The conservation issues you post are excellent. Stevers have also helped me a lot.
    Sam

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  6. Angie Moore1 June 2010 at 22:22

    Thank you Monty, Roy, John & Sue and Sam & Lisa. Very kind comments and VERY MUCH appreciated. The Marsh Fritillary was a real treat. It is thanks to people like Steve, Derek, Roger and John (and many more I have mentioned along the way, including all fellow bloggers) who kindly pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm, which is addictive and heart warming. THANK YOU.

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  7. LUIZ ALVARO DE TOLEDO BARROS JUNIOR2 June 2010 at 00:03

    Obrigado pela visita ao Surucuá.
    abraço, do trópico de capricórnio.
    Luiz Álvaro

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  8. Anonymous2 June 2010 at 22:02

    Great images Angie as always

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  9. Atanasio Fernández García2 June 2010 at 22:28

    Beautiful pictures, Angie! This butterfly is also present in my region, but have not managed to see or photograph. Greetings!

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  10. Angie Moore3 June 2010 at 07:33

    Thank you Luiz, Keith & Atanasio.

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  11. FAB4 June 2010 at 21:03

    FAB shots of a stunning 'flutter' Angie. This is one I have yet to capture so very jealous. Lol.
    Have a great weekend. FAB.

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  12. Angie Moore8 June 2010 at 22:32

    Thank you Frank.

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