Meadow Brown.

Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) is probably the most common and widespread of our butterflies with the largest populations frequenting the chalk downlands of southern England but found in a wide range of habitats. A single brood flies from late May up until October. One of a few flutters that can be seen on overcast days but it does of course prefer the warmth of the sun that shone today. Females, like the one above, have more orange on the upper fore wing than the drab males but the amount of colour is very variable with races in the north and west being brighter and with bolder eye-spots.   

Captured with 70-300 lens @ 300mm; ISO 200; F/8; 1/500; Exp Comp -0.67 and cropped.     FAB.

Keeled Skimmer.

Keeled Skimmer (Orthetrum coerulescens) a small darter-like dragonfly which prefers acidic, boggy locations such as Thursley Common.  FAB.

Large Skipper.

Large Skipper (Ochlodes venata) is our most widespread 'orange' skipper and the males are easily identified when at rest by the conspicuous dark sex band on the forewing.

Single-brooded, they first appear in late May or early June, reach peak numbers in mid-July and virtually disappear by the end of August. 

Above for comparison purposes is a Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris) often seen in the company of the Large Skipper but the basic differences are that on the male the sex bands are slightly curved and more obvious is the much thinner dark edges to the wings.   FAB.