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Aglais urticae and Chionodoxa forbesii


Aglais urticae and Chionodoxa forbesii
Photo Information
Copyright: Goran Ogen (sgo) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 137 W: 32 N: 239] (718)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-03-27
Categories: Insects
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ20
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-03-29 2:04
Viewed: 1264
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Just another picture of my "Grace" from the other day, enjoying the life sustaining flower power of Chionodoxa forbesii "Glory-of-the-snow"; hopefully this picture does better justice to the bluish-white floral background that this "overwinterer" took her speedy refuge to as soon as early spring warmth and sun light had quickened her spirits.

Aglais urticae "Small Tortoiseshell" may not need any closer presentation..., so I will just give a few facts about the flower(s) seen here:

ID:
Family: Hyacinthaceae (previously placed in the family of Liliaceae)
Genus: Chionodoxa, a compound of Gr. chiôn χιών "snow" and dóxa δόξα in its secondary meaning of "reputation;glory>light/ gleam" alluding to the fact that this plant - in its native enviornment, Turkey and Asia Minor - blooms when the snow is melting; it has become naturalized, "wild", in many parts of southern and middle Sweden.
Species: forbesii, gen. of "Forbes" and so named in honour of the English High Gardener James Forbes (1773-1861).

ID:
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Aglais, from Gr. aglaía "lustre", "splendour", "beauty"; Aglaia/Aglaea was one of the three Graces (Charites).
Species: urticae, gen. of the plant genus Urtica; urtica - from Lat. urere "to burn/to smart" - also means "heat/
rut". Thus, Aglais urticae is the "Beauty of the Nettle" par excellence.

Distribution: Denmark and the Fennoscandian countries - up to isolated places in the subalpine regions, occasionally the Small Tortiseshell can even be sighted on Iceland and the Faroe Isands - throughout Europe - with a stable population - to Turkey, Central Asia, Siberia and all the way to Japan!

Host plant is Urtica_dioica_''Common Nettle''.

For names in most European vernaculars, distribution maps and measures, European Butterflies is recommended.

For complementary illustrations of the Small Tortoiseshell, please visit TN's own many beautiful pages with a huge variety of Aglais urticae-specimens!

References:
1: Nationalnyckeln till Sveriges flora och fauna: Fjärilar - Dagfjärilar. Hesperiidae - Nymphalidae (2005),
and
2: Bo Söderström: Svenska fjärilar. En fälthandbok (2006).
clnaef, fartash, Alex99, anel has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Bonjour,
Joli support pour ce charmant papillon.
Bonne journée.
clnaef

  • Great 
  • honza Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 537 W: 0 N: 716] (4191)
  • [2007-03-29 3:43]

Nice colorful picture. I like composition, sharpness and colors.

Hello Goran
Excellent shot of this Small Tortoiseshell,
Perfect sharpness and lighting,Wonderful
BG, Welldone.

Regards
Fartash

hi goran,
very nice shot, good control of dof giving full details of the flower in the bg as well as the butterfly, lovely colour tones, nice point of view,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3585 W: 143 N: 5669] (18533)
  • [2007-03-30 15:11]

Hi Goran.
What a nice butterfly picture full of colours and lights. I like DOF and POV so much as well as the exactness of exposure, contrast and colour balance. It is so difficult at you case. Excellent sharpness and details of the picture and very nice presentation of this beauty. Skillfully done, colourful and pleasant shot. Note is simply perfect too. My compliments and TFS.
Alexei.

Hi Goran,
that's a beautiful arrangement, this beauty on that pretty flowers, I like it so much, thanks
Sabine - wishnugaruda

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