You rarely see purple hairstreaks on the ground because they spend most of their lives in or around the crowns of oaks, so you need binoculars to watch them. This was an exceptionally lucky encounter. I suspect that it had just hatched from a pupa - it certainly looks in mint condition. Purple hairstreak caterpillars feed on oak foliage but they pupate underground in ants' nests, which is where this one would have emerged from.
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Lucky you. That's exquisite.
ReplyDeleteIt really was an exceptionally lucky find
DeleteHow lucky to have seen this Butterfly, great colour.
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
Colour very similar to purple emperor, a species I've yet to see
DeleteWhat a wonderful find.
ReplyDeleteSheer delight when it opened its wings to reveal that colour Adrian
DeleteSimply stunning. Weren't you lucky?!
ReplyDeleteastonishing good luck. Hope it survives this weekend's downpours
DeleteCrippling views! And great photos! My views of purple hairstreak yesterday at Alice Holt in Surrey, were as you describe - high flying flashes of brown / silver, in the middle top of an oak tree. What made the trip however, was watching two purple emperors tussle it out above them!
ReplyDeleteWould love to see a purple emperor
DeleteHi Phil, What incredible photos! Please would you mind helping me, I'm the process of writing an article on Purple Hairstreak butterflies and your photos hold great value to me. I assume they were actually taken on the 18th July 2014 ? Please if it's not too much trouble, would you mind finding out the the exact times of which these three photos were taken, by looking at the exif file data, this would be most helpful for my research. Your help would naturally be credited, providing your full name,in the article. Many thanks, Jamie.
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie, they were taken at 13.05 on 18/07/2014. Best wishes, Phil
DeleteHi Phil, Thank you so much, that is most helpful. For the sake of crediting you, what is your surname ?
DeleteAll the best, Jamie
I'm Dr. Phil Gates
DeleteGreat, thanks.
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