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White Admiral and Purple Emperor. Photo: Caroline Stringer
Caroline sent us this photo montage she made of two separate butterfly pictures showing the undersides of both a White Admiral and a Purple Emperor. The photos were both taken on the same day in July this year at Garston Wood. Very interesting to be able to compare these two species side by side.
Purple Emperor. Photo: Mark Larcombe
Mark sent us this photo with the following comments:
My first ever Purple Emperor sighting and photographs at Garston Woods on 02/07/2023. It was on the track, taking in minerals for around half an hour while 3 of us took photographs. My thanks to Nick and Sarah – without them, I may have never seen it.
Purple Emperor. Photo: John Woodruff
Purple Emperor. Photo: John Woodruff
Two photos from John of the magnificent Purple Emperor sent in with the following comments:
After a lengthy 4 hour wait for a break in the cloud I was rewarded by being buzzed by this individual who then settled in the vegetation before grounding for a spell to take up salts in Garston Wood this morning, 02/07/2023.
Purple Emperor. Photo: Sue Law
Purple Emperor. Photo: Sue Law
Two photos to remind us of a warm summer day last year – both were taken by Sue on 06/07/2022 who sent them in telling us:
Just as I was getting into my car in the car park at Garston Wood this afternoon (it was the only one there), I looked up to see a Purple Emperor flitting around and couldn’t quite believe my luck! Just wonderful to see and watch it flying from and around the muddy/damp pothole near the entrance landing to take salts I assume.
Purple Emperor. Photo: Tracy Whincup
Tracy sent in this photo taken on 05/07/2022 at Garston Wood of a Purple Emperor. She told us she took several few photos of them but sent us this one which shows a small, undeveloped front leg and that this particular butterfly landed twice on her husband’s van.
Purple Emperor. Photo: Dave Law
Purple Emperor. Photo: Dave Law
Two photos of this superb butterfly sent in by Dave telling us:
After a frustrating few days of weather, I was finally rewarded at Garston Wood today, 05/07/2022 with a female Purple Emperor that crashed to the ground while rejecting the advances of a male. After climbing out of the undergrowth it drank the remaining moisture which hadn’t been burnt off. This female was seen deep into the wood as I decided to search away from the car park as its getting quite busy there at the moment.
Purple Emperor. Photo: Tom Whittingham
Purple Emperor. Photo: Tom Whittingham
Tom sent in these two photos of a male Purple Emperor he saw in the car park at Garston Wood yesterday morning, 03/07/2022 adding that this particular individual seemed quite interested in a van windscreen!
Purple Emperor. Photo: David Law
David sent in this photo telling us:
Perseverance was the name of the game today, 28/06/2022 at Garston Wood . After an initial viewing of a Purple Emperor in the oak tops within half an hour of arriving, it was just dozens of Silver Washed Frits and White Admirals after that for the next 2 hours . When we decided it was too windy for Emperor activity we returned to the car park to find another male circling and it eventually settled to take minerals then decided the car tasted better, but after a few minutes it was off.
Purple Emperor Larva. Photo: Dave Law
Purple Emperor Egg. Photo: Dave Law
Two remarkable finds this week by Dave who sent in these photos telling us:
Had a search of the sallows at Garston Wood yesterday, 23/08/2021 and today, 24/08/2021 and was rewarded with a Purple Emperor egg and a second stage larva. The eggs had darkened indicating it is only a day or so from hatching whereas the larva is about a fortnight old. Bring on 2022!
Purple Emperor. Photo: James LeRouge
Purple Emperor. Photo: James LeRouge
James encountered a Purple Emperor in Garston Wood just over a week ago and sent in photos of it on his car which were recently added to the Gallery. He returned to Garston Wood two days later on 23/07/2021 and has now sent in these two photos with the following commentary on his second visit:
I returned to Garston Wood RSPB on 23rd July to see if lightning would strike twice; I saw a female Purple Emperor flying rather low near sallow but on my way out back down to the car park I saw my first Painted Lady of the day. As I was taking a snap of it, I saw this flash of purple and suddenly I found a very battered and bruised Purple Emperor looking rather glum on a leaf, the poor thing could hardly fly at all. The poor thing was in a sorry state, but a testament perhaps to how brazen these butterflies are, as they apparently chase after anything – I think this was a bird attack…..
I managed to coax him onto my finger for some salts but he eventually flew off to another leaf low down for a rather sedate retirement. Amazing though to have been able to see the purple iridescence up close.