The Challenge badge

In line with Matthew's desire to focus his efforts on the female of the species this season, I have devised a challenge to reward those lucky enough to be afforded an audience with 'Herself'.

I have produced 20 very special pin badges depicting 'Herself'. They are slightly larger than the original Purple Emperor badge produced last year. This will maintain the scale when worn together on whatever you wish.

Having reviewed the blog for 2014 and the stunning photos of female iris, those that submitted a photo last season already qualify and to obtain one if you haven't previously qualified is to participate in the challenge. You must be a blogger on this blog and post a good quality photograph of 'Herself' on the blog.

The only other rules are:
1) The photo must be taken in the 2014 - 2015 seasons
2) It must be clearly discernible as a female of the species.
3) It must be in a natural setting.

Due to the very limited number of badges it will be one badge per person.

The backing card features a sallow jungle where it is most likely to find the female iris.

Be mindful though that they are offered on a first come, first served basis so you'll need to be quick.

I will comment on your photo to acknowledge your enty and confirm that you have secured a badge.

If you've not been fortunate enough to see a female, she's a much bigger and rarer beast than the male. Here's a photo taken last summer, not the best image in the 'Empire' but gives you an idea of the minimum standard of photo expected.

Getting Through Winter

Nearing the end of February and I still haven't lost any of my five hibernating larvae to predation, and none has moved either.  This is in stark contrast to last winter when by late Feb 50 out of 64 had vanished to assumed predation, and several had moved in the mild conditions.  The tits don't seem to have found them this time round.  Up yours titmice!

Here's one of the lovely survivors.  It's greened up a tinge - 

And Another - 

They've got a fair while to wait still, not least because sallows have scarcely started to silver up yet as the weather has been quite cold since mid-January.

Here's my first butterfly of the year, seen earlier this week - and the good news is that it's a Nymphalid year -

50 Shades...

In cinemas from Fri Feb 20th, The Duke of Burgundy: Lesbian S&M version of 50 Shades... set in a timeless world inhabited only by women who are obsessed with butterflies.  Certificate: Over 18.

Here's a preview: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-xIMBnclyA


Coming soon: 50 Shades of Purple, film noire by Neil Fellini...

Multi Spectral Images

I had some fun today using a Multi Spectral Imager:

Latest Photos

Two hibernating larvae photographed near Savernake Forest yesterday.  They've both greened up a tinge, but have also shrunk a tiny bit which happens in cold weather.  They're fine.

My thanks to Pete Eeles and my son, Arion, for sorting out my picture-posting problems...

Into February!

Delighted to report that I still haven't lost any wild hibernating larvae to predation so far this winter, albeit from a small sample.  This is in stark contrast to this time last year, when larvae were being picked off at an alarming rate. 

Also, I have now seen iris in the wild, in one or more of its life stages, for 69 consecutive months - and if that's not obsessive I don't know what is. 

On the debit side, I still cannot post images on this blog any longer.  Can someone sort this for me please...