Sunday 30 October 2011

Butterflies receive annual report and a Bonfire starts

Painted Jezebel, Delias hyparete
I photographed this butterfly in the 1980s in Bangkok near the Sukhumvit Road where our friends live. Good info here: http://www.samuibutterflies.com/insects/butterflies/pieridae/deliashyparetemetarete/ 


Yesterday started with ominous grey clouds and ended with a Bonfire parade and firework display. 
early morning - the bonfire was BIG

In between we attended the Sussex Branch of Butterfly Conservation's AGM near Lewes with David, a lepidopterist with a special interest in Clouded Yellows and Orange Tips. Following the AGM formalities from retiring chairman Neil Hulme, we were privileged to hear a talk by world-renowned Danish lepidopterist Torben B. Larsen who has studied the butterflies of Africa, Arabia and India and produced many guides and papers: http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Torben_B._Larsen 

This Indan journal gives an insight into this fascinating man: http://www.flutters.org/home/docs/issue4.pdf
While reading it I looked up a picture of each butterfly mentioned and to my amazement found the Common Jezebel Delias eucharis which occurs on the Indian subcontinent. This is similar to one I photographed in Bangkok in 1984. My one is the Painted Jezebel, Delias hyparete which occurs in Eastern India and Thailand (thanks to Torben who corrected my original id).
I have scanned the photo from a framed print which hung on my Mother's wall for many years as she appreciated the beauty of this butterfly. Torben Larsen describes the similar Common Jezebel as "one of the most beautiful butterflies I know".
Neil wraps up AGM business
Torben B. Larsen kicks off a fascinating talk
Africa and Arabia has been his butterfly playground
in 100 years  identified African butterfly species doubled to 4000+
Torben B. Larsen has written many articles for Aramco World, my former employer's prestigious bimonthly publication: The Painted Lady butterflyButterflies of EgyptBlue butterflies of ArabiaThe Milkweed ButterflyAnt-lionsThe Scarab beetleSiwa OasisThe River NileFatehpur Sikri, Ghost town of IndiaThe Arabian Alps
Michael Blencowe followed this with his usual entertaining talk about the 2011 butterfly and moth highlights in Sussex and I was pleased to see some of my photos included.
We were joined for supper by Jackie, Tom, Linda and Nick before the Littlehampton Bonfire Society celebrations. The parade was followed by the lighting of an enormous bonfire on the green and a superb firework display.
afternoon - the bonfire is ready
amusements are in full swing







Captain Jack








the bonfire gets going


at the end of the evening
it was still burning this morning when this was taken and at 3:30pm is still going

Thursday 27 October 2011

Purple Haze

Yesterday morning




Cissbury clouds and Goldfinches

Yesterday afternoon we did a circuit of Cissbury Ring and found some goldfinches in the north-east meadow on the Ragwort.
Goldfinch with insect
Insect gone, where's the next one?





Tuesday 25 October 2011

Visitors, clouds, mushrooms and a collie

We had a lovely surprise visit this morning Cousin Simon, Phyllis and Anna. After tea and a catchup on news, we set them on their way their way to the dreaded M25 for their journey back to Stockport. After lunch I decided to have a couple of hours at Cissbury Ring again. This hill always provides something new and today it was the wonderful clouds and light. In spite of some sunny spells not one butterfly was seen. Later we had the wonderful news that Nadine had given birth to a girl in Derby, we wish them and Alex all the best for a job well done! We will see our new great niece in December.








Wren
I wish it had stayed longer for some decently focused shots.