Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Image-of-the-Day by Subject

Butterflies Page 23

Image Taken on 10 Aug 2012 at 13:23 Image of day on 11 Sep 2012

Peacock butterflies have always (for us over 40 years) been a difficult subject for in-flight photographs because they are very dark despite the splashes of bright colour. This one was netted on a teasel flower head - a fascinating plant to watch flower.

Ref: 20120911_da1_20120810_1323_041+1349_129_ft1 peacock butterfly in flight with teasel flower head (montage)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 25 Jul 2009 at 14:04 Image of day on 02 Sep 2009

The extremely dark underwing and dazzling top wing of this Peacock Butterfly make an incredible contrast.

Ref: 20090902_da1_20090725_1404_507+1318_278 ft1 peacock butterfly in flight with thistle flower covered in tiny black beetles (montage)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 07 Apr 2015 at 12:36 Image of day on 23 May 2015

A few warm days has woken the over-wintering butterflies. An almost perfect over-wintered peacock Butterfly is sunning itself on last autumns fallen leaves. This insect is about 6 months old so it must have 'hibernated' very soon after emergence, and found a really protected spot.

Ref: 20150523_df3_20150407_1236_350 peacock butterfly in good condition after overwintering warming itself on the ground(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 24 Mar 2025 at 12:52 Image of day on 02 May 2025

Attracted to the blossom for a feed, this Peacock Butterfly worked systematically around the clusters of flowers. For an over-wintered individual this one is in remarkably good physical state and colour.

Ref: 20250502_df3_20250324_1252_105+1253_110 peacock butterfly moving between blossom flowers (montage)(r+mb id@1024).jpg

Image of day on 04 Aug 2005

A freshly emerged Peacock butterfly sunning itself on a blackberry leaf.

Ref: 20050804_p20_1020857 peacock butterfly on blackberry 2005jul30_10-22-22(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 05 Apr 2025 at 16:18 Image of day on 13 May 2025

An apparently unblemished over-wintered Peacock Butterfly.

Ref: 20250513_df3_20250405_1618_266 peacock butterfly on blackberry stem(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 13 Apr 2016 at 10:42 Image of day on 18 May 2016

We found this Peacock butterfly (left) feeding on some Blackthorn flowers. This is the only frame we got because movement for a 'better angle' scared it away. Turning round the mind said 'oh there it is' before realising that the newly found item was a leaf we think is remarkably like the butterfly. Although this butterfly's marking are primarily intended to startle predators, it is worth remembering that what humans may think of as poor camouflage may actually be quite effective.

Ref: 20160518_df3_20160413_1042_036+1044_037 peacock butterfly on blackthorn flower + matching red leaf on blackberry stem (montage)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 08 Apr 2023 at 12:57 Image of day on 17 May 2023

The more usual place to find a Peacock Butterfly is feeding on Blossom. Unlike the bird-pecked individual above, this one is hardly damaged.

Ref: 20230517_df3_20230408_1257_195 peacock butterfly on blossom(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 30 Mar 2019 at 09:08 Image of day on 01 May 2019

A Peacock Butterfly in quite good condition considering that it has spent 6 months holed up in a shed or something.

Ref: 20190501_df5_20190330_0908_028 peacock butterfly on blossom(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 01 Aug 2017 at 16:16 Image of day on 17 Sep 2017

A Peacock Butterfly on the Buddleia flowers that grow up through the tangled Blackberries each year.

Ref: 20170917_df3_20170801_1616_004 peacock butterfly on buddleia by side of garage(r+mb id@1024).jpg

Image Taken on 18 May 2022 at 12:37 Image of day on 30 Jun 2022

A Peacock Butterfly feeding on a Buttercup almost entirely hidden by the insect. On the adjacent Buttercup we see two female Thick-legged Flower Beetles. The females don't have the characteristic legs bulges that give the species their name.

Ref: 20220630_d72_20220518_1237_072+073 peacock butterfly on buttercup + 2 thick-legged flower beetle (oedemera nobilis) females on buttercup (accurate montage for focus)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 14 Apr 2006 at 15:03 Image of day on 20 Apr 2006

For us Spring 'sprung' on 14 April 2006 - warm and sunny, blossom and insects everywhere. Lets start with this peacock butterfly sunning itself on a daffodil.

Ref: 20060420_d10_20060414_1503_309 peacock butterfly on daffodil (web crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 23 Aug 2008 at 13:42 Image of day on 08 Sep 2008

Apparently our plethora of peacock butterflies is not typical this year. This one was basking on a mat of thistle seed down on the ground.

Ref: 20080908_p34_20080823_1342_384 peacock butterfly on down of thistle seeds (web crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image of day on 12 Aug 2005

A Peacock Butterfly yet to encounter bramble thorns, bird pecks and other ravages of life.

Ref: 20050812_p20_1030047 peacock butterfly on ground 2005aug05_13-12-32(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 01 Apr 2012 at 16:15 Image of day on 02 May 2012

This Peacock butterfly will have overwintered and will hope to pair up with another hibernator to lay this years eggs.

Ref: 20120502_df1_20120401_1615_278 peacock butterfly on ground ivy (crop)(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 22 Jul 2020 at 16:13 Image of day on 26 Aug 2020

A Peacock Butterfly spreads their wings in the soft sunshine.

Ref: 20200826_d73_20200722_1613_314 peacock butterfly on hop sedge(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 06 Apr 2023 at 13:26 Image of day on 17 May 2023

A Peacock Butterfly lands on a patch of bare mud. Butterflies need water and minerals, and find it where they may.

Ref: 20230517_df3_20230406_1326_004 peacock butterfly on mud(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 03 Aug 2024 at 11:01 Image of day on 20 Sep 2024

A pristine Peacock Butterfly perched on a spread of Oxford Ragwort flowers.

Ref: 20240920_r70_20240803_1101_056 peacock butterfly on ragwort flowers(r+mb id@768).jpg

Image Taken on 18 Apr 2007 at 17:46 Image of day on 07 May 2007

The plant 'Self-Heal' has gone rampant this year. The Peacock Butterfly (which will have hibernated away the winter) has a welcome feed.

Ref: 20070507_p34_20070418_1746_285 peacock butterfly on self-heal (rotate & crop)(r+mb id@576).jpg

Image Taken on 23 Jul 2006 at 17:35 Image of day on 06 Aug 2006

Peacock butterflies are very common but beautiful nonetheless.

Ref: 20060806_d10_20060723_1735_928 peacock butterfly on teasel(r+mb id@576).jpg

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