Signs of spring.

[JohnP]

Spring is just around the corner. I think this is probably the first butterfly shot to be posted this year, it's not a great shot but as it's the first butterfly I've seen so far I couldn't resist posting it. The Comma is often the first to be seen as some overwinter as adults.

 

 

[Guest DaveW]

Just seen my first butterfly of the year today also John, but not in a photographable situation and not close enough to see what it was. Nice pictures.

[annie]

john, i saw some of those big greeny white butterflies the other day....and i got me first ladybird pic of the year....spring must be on it's way. last summer was so bad though and what with the winter we have had i wonder if it's gonna be  poor bug hunting this summer?

 

i did find a shield bug/ stink bug thing while i was sweeping up some leaves, i dropped it down a the gap in the paving slabs though...tut!

[Heather]

oh yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thankyou for posting this john    cant wait to see the flutterbys out and about around here

[roicead]

no butterflies here yet.  i love the flowers, i like the smooth yellow of the petals and you've captured some excellent texture in the leaves. 

[JohnP]

 

john, i saw some of those big greeny white butterflies the other day.

It was probably a Brimstone annie!

New adults emerge from their chrysalids in July and live until the following July. Adults hibernate over winter in woodlands and emerge on warm spring days. Last year's brimstones are often the first butterflies to be seen in spring.

[annie]

 It was probably a Brimstone annie!

New adults emerge from their chrysalids in July and live until the following July. Adults hibernate over winter in woodlands and emerge on warm spring days. Last year's brimstones are often the first butterflies to be seen in spring.

 

 

it was very fast, i know that much...

[JohnP]

 

it was very fast, i know that much...

That clinches it... a Brimstone it was... they really motor.

[annie]

wonder why i have always called them cabbage butterflies then?

[JohnP]

wonder why i have always called them cabbage butterflies then?

 

That's a completely different butterfly, this is a Brimstone.

 

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=brimstone+butterfly&hl=en&rlz=1W1ADRA_en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=9cxjUfWJFoKn0AXqq4CgCw&sqi=2&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1024&bih=489

 

Here's a Cabbage White.

 

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cabbage+white+butterfly&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox&rlz=1I7ADFA_enGB453&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Ms5jUb2cO6HV4gSJ_oCICA&ved=0CD8QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=489

 

Over wintered Brimstones are not as yellow as some in these photos and that's what you most likely spotted.