Orange-tip ova-deposited on Cuckoo Flower in bud.
With the never ending threat of showers I decided on a local visit to Odiham common for some frolics amongst the Cuckoo Flowers-Cardamines pratensis- trying my luck with Orange-tips for the first time this year.
At 10-45am it was still too cold and windy but an hour later females started to appear and at a well-positioned flower by the stream across the common I watched her deposit a single ova on a flower, preferring the only plant in bud.
At 10-45am it was still too cold and windy but an hour later females started to appear and at a well-positioned flower by the stream across the common I watched her deposit a single ova on a flower, preferring the only plant in bud.
Orange-tip Female opens her wings to bask in the sunshine
My first real photo opportunity came when I saw a female settle as the sun went in, and in waiting 15 minutes for some blue sky I was treated to a soaking for my folly
Orange-tip Male just opening wings as the sun comes out
During the sunnier spells the male Orange-tips would not settle and my only opportunity came when once again I watch a male settle when the sun went in and waited for it to open it wings when the sun came out.
Open Sesame!!!
As the sun gets hotter he is soon aerodynamic and off looking for females.
Green-veined White on Cuckoo Flower
At 1pm there was a short window of feeding frenzy when the orange-tips were joined by Green-veined Whites.
Green-veined White Male on Cuckoo Flower
About 15 minutes after joining the Orange-tips I noticed a Green-veined White leave the playing field to settle and imbibe on Blackthorn Blossom.
This butterfly was telling me something and sure enough the clouds rolled in and I rolled out, but not before reflecting on how much excitement the fun and frolics of 2 hours photographing butterflies in the Cuckoo Flowers can be.
Green-veined White on Blackthorn Blossom-time to go home!!
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