Friday 24 February 2012

Final Wisley visit

Idea leuconoe, Tree Nymph
This morning I made my final visit to the Wisley butterfly exhibit which closes Sunday. Linda joined me as she is on holiday this week and we met Mark at the entrance. There were far fewer butterflies and not the variety that we have been used to as they are winding down and there aren't many new ones hatching. Most of those left were in poor condition, and the cooler weather today meant there weren't as many flying. We had lunch at the cafe and headed for home earlier than usual. It obviously time to hunt for the emerging natives with Brimstones, Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Commas and Red Admirals coming out of hibernation in the warm weather.
I have created galleries for each species of the species I photographed at Wisley in 2011 and 2012: http://www.colinknightimages.com/Nature-Photography-UK/Tropical-butterflies
Caligo eurilochus, Forest Giant Owl
I have amended this post because Philzoid on the UK Butterflies forum (click here) has made an excellent observation about the Owls that were seen on the last few days of the exhibit. He noticed that the anterior forewing is blue/grey compared to the Caligo memnon Owls which have a cream coloured anterior forewing. The conclusion is that these newer Owls are a different species - Caligo eurilochus, the Forest Giant Owl.
Caligo eurilochus, Forest Giant Owl
Caligo eurilochus, Forest Giant Owl
comparison of the two Owl species
Caligo eurilochus, Forest Giant Owl 
They often land on clothes!

Moi + Blue Morpho taken by Mark
Idea leuconoe, Tree Nymph
Idea leuconoe, Tree Nymph
Idea leuconoe, Tree Nymph
Siproeta stelenes, Malachite
Morpho achilles, Achilles Morpho
Morpho achilles, Achilles Morpho
Morpho peleides, Blue Morpho
Morpho peleides, Blue Morpho
Morpho peleides, Blue Morphos mating

Papilio palinurus, Emerald Swallowtail
Papilio lowi, Asian Swallowtail female
Papilio lowi, Asian Swallowtail female
Papilio lowi, Asian Swallowtail female
Papilio lowi, Asian Swallowtail male 
Papilio polytes, Common Mormon male
Papilio polytes, Common Mormon male
Papilio thoas, King Swallowtail
Siproeta stelenes, Malachite
Siproeta stelenes, Malachite
Troides rhadamantus, Golden Birdwing

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