This year's expedition to the New Forest was made with the aim of getting some photos of fresh white admirals.
On the first afternoon in outrageously hot weather I came across this wonderfully fresh specimen holding territory not far from the Frowhawk Ride.
On my second day I couldn't find any at all in spite of covering most of the suitable habitat between Brockenhurst and Lyndhurst.
Exhausted, I returned to the campsite late in the afternoon only to find one just yards from my van!
On the way back I stopped off at Martin Down where I found this very confiding red admiral.
Having let me film its upperside it closed its wings and let me get even closer.