Swallowtail DSC_3647 - a photo on Flickriver

Swallowtail DSC_3647

            Swallowtail / papilio machaon. Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk. 09/06/16.

'THE SHOWSTOPPER'.

In 2016 I enjoyed the company of this particular individual for many hours over two days at Strumpshaw Fen. 
Although I saw other Swallowtails, they were either coy, skittish or 'fly-offs'/'fly-bys' (and sometimes a frustrating combination of the three)!

Thankfully, that was not the case with this beauty and I was able to work out its daily movement routines. S/he made regular visits to the Doctor's Garden to feed on the array of nectar rich flowers in a wide border. Photography there was impossible though, due to a constant jostle of photographers and a visiting BBC film unit. 

Once topped up with nectary sugars, it would fly parallel to the lane and descend over some treetops into a small grassy meadow. These visits seemed to be for the purposes of resting and basking in the sun, as not once did I see it nectaring on any wild flowers there. It took a real shine to an isolated Cock's Foot grass which became a favoured and reliable perching place.

Whilst taking many photographs, I thought it was in pristine condition. Only when viewing images on a computer monitor later did I notice small tears in the wings and the end of one 'swallow-tail' projection missing. As is the case with all butterflies, Swallowtails live a rigorous lifestyle flying around their chosen habitat. Hardly surprising then that this one had taken a few knocks in its short life. The small imperfections took nothing away from its striking splendour. It was a crowd pleaser and without doubt in my mind, THE showstopper of Strumpshaw :-))

Taken on: June 9, 2016

Tags:

swallowtail

papilio machaon

norfolk

race 'brittanicus'

butterfly

rare

localised

indigenous

habitat dependent

norfolk broads

fenlands

UK's largest native butterfly

colourful

striking

yellow

black vein markings

2 red + blue eye spots

'false eyes'

swallow-like tails h/wings

mimic antennae

confuse predators

avoidance tactic

distinct wing shape

agile

active

powerful flight

hovers over flower heads

sips nectar

fly late May-early July

mostly one generation

occ. 2nd small generation

f.p = milk parsley

summertime

early afternoon sunshine

very hot

light breeze

small grassland meadow

Cock's Foot grass

grasshead

perched

resting

basking

wings open wide

slight wing damage

tears

bold patterns

low PoV

macro

bokeh « less

Sets appears in: • Butterflies

Groups appears in: • Wildlife Of Great Britain and Ireland. • Birds and Wildlife UK more » • Strumpshaw Fen • Countryfile • Wildlife UK • BBC Springwatch (Official) • Butterflies of Britain • Moths and butterflies of The British Isles • Butterflies, Moths and Insects UK • Wildlife In East Anglia • WILD BRITAIN. • East of England Wildlife • Butterflies and Moths of Great Britain & Ireland • UK Butterflies, Moths and Caterpillars • Wild life photography bokeh • Birds and nature of the uk • Top quality British butterfly images « less

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