A Duke of Burgundy and mating Blues

male Duke of Burgundy

to view a Slideshow, click here, then choose Fullscreen (top right) then Fast (top left)

This morning I visited the Duke of Bugundy site at Rewell Wood. We have been clearing wide rides and creating a large clearing for the Dukes the past two winters. I found a solitary large light coloured male on a path. He obliged by sitting in several places. In the original clearing I witnessed the courtship and mating of a pair of Common Blues. A Brimstone settled on the ground and a fly landed on it. After I returned we did our shopping and collected Bea from the station.

male Duke of Burgundy - the male has only four functioning legs, the female has six.

Longhorn Beetle Stenocorus meridianus

Brimstone with fly 

Bramble sawfly, Arge cyanocrocea on Wood Spurge

Common Blues 

Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis arvensis