So after being allowed to roam free for the best part of the week, with Mrs PB at work, and not piling up any chores for me, the weekend saw us both off together, and we decided on Stratford-Upon-Avon for a little culture. We got tickets for Hamlet at the RSC, slightly up in the gods, but very good nonetheless. We've been before (and saw Midsummer Nights Dream in the Attic Theatre (also very good) and had previously visited Stratford Butterfly Farm.
It was high on my list for a revisit, so Saturday morning we ventured forth into the stiflingly humid heat to see the array of beauties flying free..... I've no idea what any of them are, and I also struggled to work out best settings for variable light, and seeing through the lens as it misted up!! Also, in retrospect, I should have taken a slightly longer lens, I opted for the 105mm macro, and I think I would have benefitted from my 70-200
I really wanted to get one of these with its wings open, and they are a stunning blue, but failed
A sneak peek of the blue is all I managed
It wasn't all butterflies, there were other "mini beasts" as well... Orchid Mantis (or just an Orchid lol)
One of those Leaf Bug thingies
Stick Insect type wotsits
Leaf Cutter Ants
A lizard-y/gecko-y type thing
There were also a couple of bird species, Crested Pigeon (or Dove maybe)
And Crested Partridge.... unfortunately I missed the male
And that concluded a very beautiful, sweaty visit.
Next mission, is to identify them all and then visit them in the wild...... I wish lol Hope they brightened up the day
Stay Safe All
A good variety PB, an amazing selection of patterns on the wings. A long time since I have been to a butterfly farm, I do remember the humidity though
Very nice PB. I went to our local last year, but took too long a lens and should have left my camera gear in with the butterflies so they could sort themselves out and demist itself. Anyway great photos and I will know for next time when I go again. Although to be fair I much prefer hoping to see lots of our own native butterflies this summer.... Always hoping to see the return of another native species to the meadow.
Thank you for sharing PB a fabulous selection and great photos
Excellent assortment PB. They seem very similar assortment to the butterfly house that I have been to at Stockton on Tees. I have been twice and really enjoyed it. I too took a long lens, but as I was parked outside, I was able to go out and got my macro instead which worked fine. Is the blue one a very large variety? I chased a very large one around Butterfly World for ages to get a half decent shot, in fact first visit I didn't get one at all.
Thanks all. We haven't any local to us any more, so every time we see one we go in, as they are so spectacular.
I agree, Mr Kes, it's great to see native ones, and when one finally settles after you've been following it for a while (I'm looking at you Mr Brimstone, and all you Fritilliaries!!), makes it all the more enjoyable.
Yeah, BD, was big, probably the size of my open hand. Have seen them in all the butterfly farms we've been to, yet to get one with wings open.... will have to try the "pre capture" function next time
This is the best one I got of the big blue butterfly. It was high up in a corner of the butterfly house. (Hope you don't mind me adding to your thread)
Noo, add away Nice shot
ooh, what a stunning collection of butterflies and photos; crested pigeon is smart too. I've forgotten what butterflies look like after a wet 2024 and cold weather !! Thanks PB.
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Regards, Hazel
I know a couple of them - Top is an Owl Butterfly - the next one and Bd's are Blue Morpho ( related to the Owl but even more blue, there is a Zebra Longwing, a Malachite and various Tigers, a Clearwing - the rest I can't remember.
Cin J
PimperneBloke said:Next mission, is to identify them all and then visit them in the wild...... I wish lol Hope they brightened up the day
A fabulous collection of butterfly, birds and lizard photos PB, and warm welcome to the better part of the Midlands and Warwickshire.
It's been quite a while since I last visited the Stratford Butterfly Farm (SLR days, any photos would be on 35mm film from that visit), I think the one I visited previous to that was Pili Palas, just outside Menai Bridge on Anglesey.
Never an easy task to ID species, especially not ones you're used to seeing locally. There is a link on the Stratford Butterfly Farm to their various species displayed, which could help ID most if not all species seen and photographed.
If not, then a good reason for a third visit.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler