I am no expert photographer, preferring to capture the moment than get a perfectly composed shot. The pictures on my blog are either taken with a compact Canon, a Panasonic Lumix FZ150 or on my phone.




Sunday 11 December 2016

Sierra Nevada Butterflies - July 2016 (3)

I retraced my steps towards the car park, but took a shortcut below the observatory as I wanted to head towards a stream in the valley below. I noticed that a small cloud had developed above the valley and it appeared to be stuck there. As I entered into its shade I saw a lovely female Escher's Blue, Agrodiaetus escheri, waiting for the sun to come out again. I decided to wait with it to see if I could get a photo of the upper side of its wings.

Thankfully, when the sun came back out it opened up its wings. I have taken many pictures of female Lycaenidae, which I find almost impossible to identify from the upper wing shots. I hope that this picture may help me to identify other female Esher's Blues.

As I walked down the feint path in the mountain side I came across several Spanish Brassy Ringlets, Erebia hispania. They were quite obliging as they sat against the rocks warming up once the cloud had passed.

It is difficult to say which blue butterfly was the most common on the way down to the stream. There were probably equal numbers of Escher's Blues, Common Blues, Polyommatus celina, and Nevada Blues, Plebicula golgus. With almost every step another would fly into view.
Common Blue
Nevada Blue

The cloud also slowed the Apollos, Parnassius apollo nevadensis,  down a bit. I remember on my previous visit watching them for ages drifting up and down the mountain side without stopping. On my descent they were all on the ground, only flying when they were disturbed.

On the short grass by a spring I saw this lovely Safflower Skipper, Pyrgus carthami nevadensis.

This beautiful female Knapweed Fritillary, Melitaea phoebe, briefly stopped next to the path. This is the first time I have seen this butterfly.

When I reached the grassy area next to the stream I saw a few larger fritillaries. They all turned out to be Dark Green Fritillaries, Argynnis aglaja. A butterfly that I haven't seen in the Sierra Nevada before.

There were also about 20 or so smaller fritillaries. These were Meadow Fritillaries, Melitaea parthenoides, another butterfly that I haven't seen before. It is strange that they were so common this year, but two years ago I didn't see any in exactly the same location.

I spent some time down at the stream, enjoying the beautiful clear water cascading through the rocks and the many insects that live alongside it.

I was thrilled to see this cow pat, which was attracting various male blue butterflies. In this picture there are Common, Escher and Nevada Blues.

Every so often I would see a Purple-shot Copper, Lycaena alciphron gordius. I love the purple edging to their wings.

Other butterflies seen there, but not photographed were Clouded Yellows, Colias crocea, Cardinal Fritillaries, Argynnis pandora seitzi, Small Tortoiseshells, Aglais urticae, Bath Whites, Pontia daplidice and Wall Browns, Lasiommata megera.
On my way back up the mountain I saw this lovely Heath Fritillary, Melitaea athalia celadussa.

It was fantastic seeing so many butterflies and such a variety, but I had to drag myself away as I still had a couple of other places I wanted to check out.

14 comments:

  1. These butterflies are lovely and the Common Blue is my favorite. I must admit that the stream is quite lovely, too!

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    1. Hi Michelle,
      The stream was lovely! After only a few days in hot, dry Spain it was so nice to see the clear water and green vegetation!

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  2. Nickkkkkkkk had not seen these beautiful tickets from Sierra Nevada, beautiful reports!!!, but do not forget Asturias, there are other very special waiting. Greetings to Scotland.

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    1. Hi Belen!!! Thank you. I have not forgotten Asturias! I would love to visit some day. Your photographs make it look really lovely. I would love to drive there in a camper van with my wife and bring our dog with us!

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  3. Absolutely lovely photos, as always Nick. What a lot of beautiful Blues!
    And, that little stream has me yearning to travel to find it.

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    1. Hi Sunita,
      It is a lovely spot, with a perfect summer climate and all of those butterflies!

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  4. Oh we have almost the same as that blue, but i haven't seen them puddling. You have lots of butterflies, but i guess they are small ones? I love most that small brook with water, i am obsessed with running waters!

    My posted butterfly is easy to shoot as it is not very quick, glides easily and open the wings even if nectaring. I observed that butterflies in cold temperatures like our uplands are not as active as ours in the lowland, so easy to photograph. Our temperature now at night here in Metro Manila is 26°C, hahaha

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    1. Hi Andrea,
      This is the first time I have ever seen butterflies puddling like this. There were more on an area of damp ground a little further up the stream, but they weren't as close together.
      I long for some warm weather and sunshine!!

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  5. Hello Nick!:) I just came over to thank you for your good wishes, and to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and all the very best for the New Year. I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful, and many butterflies you saw whilst on holiday. They are all lovely!:)

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  6. such a lovely collection of sightings and photos.
    makes me remember i want to plant flowers that will attract them this summer. It will take effort as i will need to fence it from the deer. Maybe it is best just to wander like you have to see butterflies. Lovely 2017 to you!

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    1. Thank you Tammie Lee.
      I have great plans to plant various areas with plants to attract butterflies at the property we inherited last year. I have chosen plants that deer don't eat. I hope to have areas of wild flowers, a bank of Rock Rose, some Buddleia and fruit trees.
      I hope you have a great 2017, too.

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  7. Simply amazing, how beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Maria. I feel very lucky to have seen them all.

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