Purple Emperor (Male) Bentley Wood 04/07/2015

Travelled from Cornwall to Bentley Wood which straddles Hampshire and Wiltshire in search of the enigmatic Purple Emperor butterfly. We were very fortunate to find this male taking up minerals on one of the many paths in the wood. It loitered there for at least two hours, occasionally flying around and through the legs of it's gathered admirers. Other highlights included good views of Goshawk over the wood. Yet another Fantastic day at Bentley!

[@levinaugust3331]

I’m here after Tedex video saying violet is the rarest colour to be generated in nature, and Purple Emperor Butterfly is one of the organism that generate it. Truly fascinating.

[@SuperSonic3557]

Same 😆

[@cloudglider]

What's fascinating is that what we're seeing on screen is purple, not violet. So in person this probably looks different.

[@jeanpaulr]

same 👍🏼😉

[@levinaugust3331]

@@cloudglider i think it is violet, tho like the video says violet has extremely small angle of attack to show up clearly so any ‘wrong’ angle might just come of slightly as purple. Then it might just be our screen or the camera limitation idk

[@amandajstar]

Surely a true blue (a non-violet) is even rarer? One reason why I find truly blue delphiniums so captivating....

[@medicwebber3037]

If anyone ever does a program on butterflies, you should sell them that footage. Perfect, crisp, and informative. Most people don't see them feeding. Great shots.

[@angelkotilainen]

Absolute stunner! Have never seen one in the wild before :) Gorgeous.

[@JohnChapple1]

Thank you Lara.

[@greatspottedwoodpeck]

Awesome footage of one of Britain's rarest and most spectacular butterflies. Well done!

[@ButterflySpirit]

Lovely capture of this beauty, thumbs up!

[@GGiblet]

Thank you so much for sharing🌈💜

[@JohnChapple1]

You are so welcome

[@anarosarueda]

Maravilloso vídeo. Estoy aquí porque mi hija de 5 años tiene que realizar para su colegio un proyecto sobre la mariposa tornasolada o apatura iris. Gracias, el vídeo es fantástico y a mi hija le ha encantado.

[@JohnChapple1]

Muchas gracias Ana Rosa. Me alegro de que haya ayudado a su hija con su proyecto. Espero que le vaya muy bien.

[@matthewlucero9953]

I love the wings , the body is the part that give me weird vibes 😭🙃

[@angelkotilainen]

Your first butterfly? 😂😂

[@MumboMod]

Wonderful footage

[@JohnChapple1]

Many thanks! MumboMod.

[@akbarpratama2500]

I'm here because of TedEx vid about nature's rarest colour :)

[@JohnChapple1]

Thanks for visiting

[@missdog9275]

1:46 So PRETTY!!!

[@peterbeard5440]

Great video, I've only ever seen one, here in Essex.

[@JohnChapple1]

They're a bit special aren't they Peter!

[@stallsonpurpose]

a sun dance of love itself

[@CellRus]

I'm here from the Tedex video about the rarest colour in nature XD

[@JohnChapple1]

Thanks for visiting

[@echothefreak9396]

The way their wings move… wow. Butterflies really are amazing creatures, huh

[@JohnChapple1]

Yes they are so beautiful aren't they 🙂

[@banhbae]

who else is here from Ted-Ed?

[@JohnChapple1]

Thanks for visiting

[@boveyscouts6108]

Fantastic shots- what video camera do you use?

[@JohnChapple1]

Hi. I used a Panasonic V720 camcorder which has a macro zoom facility for this film

[@МаксимКоролёв-о7о]

Apatura iris-👍👍👍

[@khunchahamaatta1923]

I’m astute to about this