Mrs B's Great Adventure (2) "This is a nice nursery"

After the eventual success of raising Brimstones in 2017, I looked forward with excitement and eager anticipation, hoping for a repeat this season. Mrs B did not disappoint, she found the Alder Buckthorn suitable and over 3 hours laid about 40-50 eggs, 6 days earlier than in 2017.
I've protected them from birds but can do little about tiny predators other than bring some eggs and or larvae inside.
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[Islambad]

Wow! You would really think it was a leaf!

[Jesika]

@islambad It's often very difficult to spot a Brimstone if you don't see where it lands, their wings are indeed leaf shaped.
Thanks for your comment
j

[babbs]

Wow!

[FBailey]

Another super shot:)

[Amy Shaylor]

Beautiful macro and great detail.

[kali]

so leaf-like

[Rachel]

I can't get over how much she looks like leaves.

[Jesika]

@babbs36 She's a Super Model, isn't she? Brimstones can live up to 13 months, sleeping the winter away in a cool dark corner.
Thank you
j

[Jesika]

@fbailey Ta muchly. I've been playing with the reversed lens trying to get a decent shot of an egg. It'll be easier when I bring some inside.
jx

[Jesika]

@amy_sweet_september Thank you, Amy. The Brimstone is very easy to photograph.
j

[Jesika]

@kali66 @888rachel Thank you Kali, Rachel. They are very difficult to see among leaves, you need to follow them down if you want to photograph them. Mrs B is easy here because the leaves are still in bud and as the Alder Buckthorn is in a pot in my garden, I'm just a couple of feet from her as she oviposits.
j

[Susie]

beautiful fav

[Wylie]

A beautiful find. Well captured.fav

[Jesika]

@susie1205 Thank you, Susie, Brimstones are among my favourite butterflies.
j

[Jesika]

@pusspup Thank you very much. We were given a tiny Alder Buckthorn, the larval food plant of Brimstones, in July 2016. It had just one remaining pupa, most had been gobbled up by hungry birds. We were delighted last year when Mrs B visited & laid about 2 dozen eggs, most lost to Harlequin Ladybird Larvae, voracious predators. We brought 10 caterpillars inside and all 10 eclosed, so 10 butterflies "flew the nest". I've been watching & hoping Mrs B would visit this year, saw one fly in, realised she was interested in my little tree and spent 3 hours watching, filming & taking stills. I have built an odd cage to prevent bird predation after I saw 2 Blue Tits in the tree, won't stop small predators but many caterpillars will come inside to have a better chance. Gives me better photo opportunities too - double bonus!
j

[JoeV]

Wow, such an interesting looking butterfly and I love your story.

[Jesika]

@joev Thank you very much. Insect photography has been my (expensive) passion/hobby since August 15 2005.
j

[Leslie]

Wow looks like a leave

[Jesika]

@lesip Thank you very much. The wings are indeed similar to a leaf and the colour is deceptive also
j

[CC Folk]

So cool!!! Talk about blending in with trees and leaves!?! Fav!

[Jesika]

@gardenfolk Thank you so much, Brimstones are extremely elegant butterflies.
j

[Lee]

Incredible and beautiful too. Great shot. Fave.

[Gayle]

Fabulous capture! :-)

[Jesika]

@gamelee @gaylewood Thank you, Gayle, Lee. Mrs B is a beautiful model.
j