Tip of the Day – and a flying wolf (?)

No luck with the foxes today, so the 'tip' in the title isn't a white tip. It's an orange tip.

These very pretty butterflies were out in number. They're small and highly mobile, so it's a case of grabbing what you can when they briefly touch down on a plant. The males are easy to identify (the orange tip is the clue). The females are white, but share the same green lace pattern as the male on the underwing. In flight they are very similar to other white butterflies so are easily overlooked. I mention it because today I did manage to positively spot a female. But first the male.

orange tip butterflyOrange tip butterfly (male)

While I was watching him a second small butterfly fluttered into view. About the same size, it was white and the underwing had the pattern. The fact that it was flying in formation with the male also helped the i.d. None of the shots I managed show the marking, but this is the pair of them together.

orange tip butterflies, male and femaleMale and female orange-tip butterflies

Oh and I also saw this… the nearest I'm likely to get to seeing a flying wolf.
A Bell 222, the basis for the 1980s 'Airwolf' TV series.
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. gdare

    6 May 2009

    "Flyng wolf" in subject confused me at the moment 😆

  2. SittingFox

    6 May 2009

    Yes, it certainly confused me too! I spent a moment there trying to think of a bat or something that had a wolf-like nickname 😆

    Anyway, beautiful shots of the orange-tips. I saw a few today but, as you say, they don't seem to believe in helping photographers out :insane:

  3. Words

    6 May 2009

    Sorry about that Neil… you must be of that certain age that knows the programme. The orange-tips have excelled themselves this spring

  4. Words

    6 May 2009

    Darko, sorry about that! I've never seen the programme, but I came across the connection when I was searching aircraft identification sites.

  5. Ukwildlife

    6 May 2009

    great now I have the airwolf theme in my head….:p

    well done on the orange tip. Normally I struggle but they have been kind to me this year 🙂

  6. Words

    6 May 2009

    Adele, I guess only those of a certain age and TV habits would have got the clue. The orange-tips are very abundant this year. I don't recall seeing them in this kind of number before.

  7. cakkleberrylane

    14 May 2009

    🙂

  8. Words

    14 May 2009

    Thanks Lois!

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