Chasing Brimstones

 After walking along Whitbarrow we popped into Latterbarrow. This small reserve was a riot of late summer colour. It was good to see so many butterflies - especially the Brimstones.

..and a Comma.

..and Peacocks...

High Brown Fritillaries

 It was great to see these on Whitbarrow Scar the other day....so a few more photos! 

and that beautiful underside!

Whitbarrow Scar

We try to pick our days carefully, depending on the weather, so as we drove over Shap and through a drizzly Tebay Gorge we did wonder.....But it dried up as we headed south and when we got onto the top of Whitbarrow, it was a scorcher! A glorious walk with lovely flowers and butterflies. The sky hinted at thundery showers, but thankfully they didn't materialise.  

Whitbarrow...

Walking up through the woods the Broad-leaved Helleborines were bob on! 

Broad-leaved Helleborine flower.

Up onto the Scar top, where the Dark-red Helleborines were over, with just dried up petals left.

Carline Thistles and below.

Looking back ...

There were lots of Grayling butterflies on the wing.

The sun came out ....

Looking into Central Lakes.

Harebells....

Nice limestone pavements and grykes.

With the heat, limestone, flowers and butterflies, it was reminiscent of Spain.

The beautiful High Brown Fritillary.

A very fresh Red Admiral.

Just lovely!

I do like Harebells!

... and back to the beginning.

Wood Sandpipers

There have been three Wood Sandpipers down on Wedholme Flow for a couple of days, so that was our excuse, not that we need one, for another visit to the reserve. We saw them at a distance, but had a great view of a Marsh Harrier and it was good to see the Large Heath Butterfly too. 

Criffel.

Wood Sandpiper (top left) .

..and two Wood Sandpipers ...left. 

Skiddaw in the distance ....

Small Copper.

Large Heath.

..and closer! 

Small Skipper - we also saw Large Skippers.

Large White.

Black Darter.

Smardale Butterflies

A lovely sunny day and 13 species of butterfly at Smardale: Speckled Wood, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Northern Brown Argus, Common Blue, Red Admiral, Meadow Brown, Dark Green Fritillary, Large White, Green-veined White, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet and Small Heath.

The viaduct.

Speckled Wood.

Meadow Browns.

So nearly a good photo! When you only have time for a quick snap.....

Dark Green Fritillary.

Common Blue.

Common Blue.

Northern Brown Argus.

Northern Brown Argus.

Harebells.

Broad-leaved Helleborine.

Plenty of insects!