Duke of Burgundy Fritillary and Common Blue

In a hay field near St Ponpon a butterfly was seen that was first mistaken for a fritillary but was finally identified* as the Duke of Burgundy Fritillary (Hamearis lucina) which according to Paul Whalley is not a fritillary at all but belongs to a Family of butterflies mostly found in South America the Riodinidae. 

This specimen has the shadow of a hawk on the upper fore-wings (click to enlarge).

                                            Click to enlarge.


Although we are still in April there has been a good variety of butterflies in the field at Le Port. This  beautifully marked common blue (Polyommatus icarus) female was photographed today in the field. Old camera.
*Paul Whalley 1981 -1988, Mitchell Beazley Pocket Guide to Butterflies.Michael Beazley Publishers, London.