On this glorious evening, I wanted to find the rare and weird Lizard Orchid (Himantoglossum hircinum). We didn't find the orchids; well, I think we found the seed heads, but they look less than spectacular, so I'll reschedule that adventure for late June 2011. However, we did have a lovely walk – high above the race tracks and training gallops, striding out on a white ribbon of chalk through the waving grasses and flowers dancing with butterflies.
One of the most common wildflowers on this section of the Devil's Dyke is the Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria). The yellow flowers have mostly faded to a rich dark ochre which contrast with the grey-white downy calyxes.The highlights of last night's walk were the butterflies and moths . . .
A male Chalkhill Blue butterfly (Lysandra coridon)a little dishevelled but still a shimmering turquoise blue.
A pair of 6-spot Burnet Moths (Zygaena filipendulae)
Another 6-spot Burnet Moth, you can see thegreen/blue/indigo irridenscence of it's wings.
This male Chalkhill Blue butterfly was one of the manybutterflies quietly resting on the Kidney Vetch.
The slightly smaller and darker coloured femaleChalkhill Blue butterfly.
Look how perfectly the patterns on the underside of her wingsecho the Hedge Parsley flowers.
And walking back along the gallops we glanced behind us to see the sky put on a cloud and light spectacular.
Amazing photographs!
ReplyDeletereally beautiful and inspiring photography, thank you x
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures. Blue butterflies - even the common ones we get here, are beggars for not opening their wings to pose for a photo, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteExquisite images Celia. I do love those chalkhill blues x
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Celia, for showing me natural beauties that I have never before seen. Wow! Flowers and butterflies and moths are perfect designs, aren't they. You surely do take marvelous photos.
ReplyDeletexo
to my eyes, moths are prettier than butterflies--fluffier, too.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely images - thank you for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos
ReplyDeletetwiggy x
Just a thimbleful....
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs, Celia - and just look at that night sky !!! I'm out again tonight to look for my noctilucent clouds!
Great photos looks like a lovely place.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful corner of the world, a landscape so different to ours. Your photographs are wonderful and reminded me of a little book I have here on my bookshelf called "Wild Flowers of the Chalk" by John Gilmour date 1947. It has the prettiest cover, you would love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind comments.
ReplyDeleteI was really amazed how these photos came out - I could hardly see if I'd managed to focus on the butterfly! Our camera isn't anything special - a 5 year old 'point and click', but I do use the fast shutter speed option when using the macro setting - it helps a lot.
And, Acornmoon, I just bought that gorgeous book on ebay for £3.50, a 1947 first edition. Now hunting for more King Penguins - see what you've started ;-)
Celia
x