I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but we’ve had some glorious sunshine on the London / Surrey borers and temperatures have soared into double figures. The land is waking up after this long, grey winter and this was very apparent during a visit I made to Box Hill on Friday with Helen, Izzy and a friend of theirs.
It was very noticeable that the seasons had turned. Colourful wild flowers had sprung to life, trees and hedges had buds growing on them and in the glorious sunlight, oh how I’ve missed the sun, you could see for miles and miles across Surrey.
Izzy and I spent time looking for butterflies. I was very surprised at how many were already present in the grassland on Box Hill, adding further colour to the landscape.
I took several pictures of this butterfly taking a rest on a stick. I even managed to get a few with its wings open, but they just didn’t have the same level of detail.
Look closely at this picture and you’ll see its legs and the stripes on the antennae. I wish I could have taken an image from the other side which would have been better lit but considering how difficult it is to photograph butterflies, I’m content!
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30 thoughts on “A visit to Box Hill proves the land is waking up”
Hi John, I can never get over how fast the land changes once the weather starts to warm up. It’s a shame you didn’t get such a good photo of the butterfly with its wings open, they aren’t easy subjects to photo. I can see the stripes on its antenna perfectly, even at this time of the morning.
xx
Hi Debbie – I did get a few images with its wings open, but even though I was using a telescopic lens they looked far too distant! Then again, butterflies are so difficult to photograph. Needless to say, I spoke too soon. We’re back to rain and grey clouds today!
I won’t tell you what the weather is like where I am, but I’m pleased for you that things are finally starting to warm up. Hopefully you get a lengthy period of beautiful days now!
Oh I know what the weather is like over in Aus! Jealous? Just a bit!
I wonder if everything is now catching up very quickly. So nice to see butterflies and some stable …ish weather. Let’s hope there’s no more snow!
I think everything must be catching up quickly. Once the ground warms up I think everything bursts back to life.
Horaay! The butterflies are back. I was so excited to see my first one of the year. It sounds like you had a lovely time. I’m keeping everything crossed that this nice weather stays (particularly as we are staying in a caravan next week!). #MySundayPhoto
Well, I hope you have better weather while in the caravan than we’re having right now. We’re back to rain. Gah.
I haven’t seen any butterflies yet this year. All I know about Box Hill is that it’s notoriously hard to cycle up it!
Oh, yes, I wouldn’t want to cycle up Box Hill. Wouldn’t want to cycle down it either to be honest. Very twisty, windy roads.
I have not seen any butterflies yet but a fab photo as always John, you really do have talent capturing great shots #mysundayphoto
Very kind of you to say so Nigel. I can assure you, most of it is down to luck!
I have seen a couple of butterflies so far this year and it is always a good sign to me. Box Hill is a beautiful place and a great one to spot them. They are difficult to photograph – well done with this one. #MySundayPhoto
So you know Box Hill? Butterflies are notoriously hard to photograph so I consider a shot like this, which I still feel I could improve on, to be a success.
Great detail John. I’ve noticed a few bees floating around this week.
We seem to be having more nice days than bad.
Thank you for linking up to #MySundayPhoto
Yes, Izzy and I spent a little while looking for bees also. Needless to say, we’re back to grey, we weather today.
Butterflies are so hard to photograph. As soon as I get my camera out they fly away. The weather is looking up here too. Can’t wait for a little more sunshine.
Oh don’t we all need a bit of sunshine. Of course today it is, once again, raining.
Great photo, I hope you found time to run up and down the face of Box Hill a few times!
Must say I have never run up it, but it is tempting to give that a go.
what a lovely photo, I think it looks perfect enough with its wings folded. I love butterflies, I guess you only have to look at my blog header to know that. #mysundayphoto
I love getting images of butterflies. trouble is, they are very difficult to photograph because they move so quickly.
I’m sure spring is going to visit us sooon. I think the snow has delayed everything. Lovely photo x
The snow, late snow at that, has definitely delayed everything. And today we have rain.
It’s lovely to see signs of summer at last. I saw a Peacock butterfly yesterday but it was too quick for me to capture!
Oh it is great to see signs of summer. Alas, today it is raining.
Ahh! I really hope spring is here. It sure seems like it…
Butterflies are so pretty x
I may have spoken too soon. Yesterday was very grey and today it’s raining. Gah.
not sure I’ve seen any butterflies out in Dubai other than in the Butterfly farm, but we’ve got lots of birds in the garden and mosquitoes everywhere, more summer all year round than seasonal here though #mysundayphoto
Oh, mosquitoes. Yes I am sure they are a constant reminder you are in a hot country! I guess they birds eat them hence why you have so many of both?