Peacock butterfly

[Dave McCormick]

It was hard but managed to get a pic of a Peacock butterfly as it was resting. Pritty nice. Next I want to get a head on shot, but my shadow was on top of it so it did not work.

[PRH]

Clear shot there and interesting!
Thanks for sharin'with the gang here!:p

[Dave McCormick]

Hoping for another, face on shot tomorrow. It was fighting with a small tortoiseshell and it was hard to get as they fly so fast. I have only spotted the same one at this area full of gorse bushes.

[Ginny42]

Very pretty butterfly! I've never seen one before.;)

[DandyLioness]

Gorgeous looking flutterby. I've never seen one like that either.

[grindle]

I love seeing the peacocks, such pretty butterflies. I'm hoping to see a better selection of them now we live in the country:)

[Janet W]

I never saw one either, I guess they'd have a long flight from the British Isles to North America. Thanks for sharing your beautiful butterfly with us, Janet

[Dave McCormick]

Right here is peacock information to all who need it:

1) Females can lay up to 500 eggs and the peacock is not effected much by humans due to the places nettles can grow (nettle is foodplant)

2) The Peacock's distribution is stable in most countries but there is evidence of expansion at the northern edge of its range, particularly in Finland (>100% increase in 25 years) and also in Latvia and Lithuania (25-100% increase). There has been a small decrease in Sweden (15-25% in 25 years).

The butterfly's distribution is not constrained by the range of its caterpillar foodplant, which is common and widespread across Britain and Ireland. In eastern England, agricultural intensification may have improved conditions for nettles and this may explain the significant increases in abundance in this region. However, these trends may not reflect higher abundance in the countryside as a whole.

3) This butterfly makes a hissing sound when it is alarmed (usually upon seeing a bird); it makes the sound by rubbing its wings together. The wings are brownish-purple with a bright eyespot on each wing (the wings look a bit like an owl's face).

Finally, I tried getting a shot today and it flies to fast to catch. Hope you like the only shot I am able to get for now.

[Rich]

Nice pic Dave, they are difficult to photograph. Just as you get them in focus they fly off or close their wings.

We had one in our garden on 5th February. That's the earliest I've ever seen one, but we've had lots of false springs this year.

[Dave McCormick]

Best way to get pic I have found:

Wait until butterfly is sitting nice and still, don;t create too much nosie and keep shadow away from butterfly or it will fly off. Best time is when butterflies are catching the sun.

[Sneezie]

:) Hey thanks for showin us that, I don`t think I`ve ever seen one of those either. Very pretty!!

[MrSeedy]

I'm pretty sure they've not made it here, and they're beautiful. Perhaps we could import some, though of course that might backfire perhaps, should they become too fond of some of our native "flora" or especially commercial crops even. I'm curious about their chioce in "host" plants! I do see their favorite foods for the caterpillars however, can be found here in the U.S., being nettles and hops etc., so importing them might be possible to establish a North American population?

[Dave McCormick]

Suppose a North American brood could happen, but remember, estblishing a new species could have reverse effects. Check it out first.

[lighthouseseeker]

Beautiful butterfly, Dave. Thanks for showing us.

[Dave McCormick]

You would not actually believe how hard it is to get decent shots. I was ut today and saw 8 butterflies, but when I got close they started fighting and took off. They fly really fast and are easily spooked by focus on camera.

[pipit]

all taken in my back garden 2006

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/GREENWIZARD/blossomswap/P9100443.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/GREENWIZARD/blossomswap/P9100442.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/GREENWIZARD/blossomswap/P9100440.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y31/GREENWIZARD/blossomswap/P8190067.jpg

[lighthouseseeker]

WOW. Great photos!

[boo]

pipit, those are wonderful pictures. :) What is the stuff that looks like tator tots? :unsure: Do you put out fruit to attract the butterflies?

[PRH]

Very impressive pics!
Thanks again for sharin' with the crew!
;)

[pipit]

What is the stuff that looks like tator tots? :unsure: ~~~puzzled what are tator tots ?
Do you put out fruit to attract the butterflies?~~~unfotunately my buddleia (their favourite )is in the shade so the poor wee things get cold quickly so i put fruit out for them in a sunnier spot from them to munch on & warm up

[boo]

In the third pic it looks like wet tater tots. :) You're not from the US are you? :grin:

1046

greasy fluffy potato

It must be fruit I'm looking at.

[pipit]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
your looking at banana:grin:

[boo]

That makes so much more sense. :lol: I'll have to try banana slices. thanks

[pipit]

only problem is that not only do the butterflies love banana soup so do the flies,bluebottles & wasps~~~~ho-hum

[Dave McCormick]

Great pics pipit! Some talent getting that. I have been getting pics for around two years and still find it hard. Would using a mix of rotting oranges and apples coverend in a sugary mix attract them? I have been trying to get pics of some of these butterflies latley and its been a bit tricky.

[pipit]

i can honestly say i've never had a problem photographing them......i'm right beside them when i take their pics & as long as they're stuffing their faces they don't mind me snapping away
providing a good nectar bar should improve your chances of getting a great shot ..good luck :grin: