Orange-tips at Brockholes Wetlands, Lancashire

May 14, 2012:

Since the end of March, Orange-tips have been on the wing here and probably the most frequent butterfly so far seen. Fast-flying and wary, they are not an easy subject to approach closely for photographs. Occasionally though, they will return to a favoured perch such as on flowers of the Lady's Smock, the larval food plant, or even onto the apparently much less attractive plantains. The underside markings of the wing contrast strongly with those on the upperside (especially so in the male). A short series of photos of two male are below.