I thought I would have a change this week for Six on Saturday, so instead of flowers or the garden I will show you some butterflies which visited the other day when the sun was shining and there was hardly any wind, ideal butterfly weather. Now it is cool and wet, so no butterflies to be seen today unfortunately.
No 1 Peacock
Most of these butterflies are all on the same buddleia bush.
no 2 Tortoiseshell
Bees were enjoying the nectar too.
No 3 Painted Lady.
We don’t always see Painted Ladies, this must be a good year.
No4 Comma
Not a good photo, sorry, but can you see the dark shape in the centre with its wings closed? You can just make out the silver comma shape which gives the butterfly its name.
I think it’s a bit clearer here.
No 5 Red Admiral
Always lots of these in the garden.
No 6 Speckled Wood.
A Specled Wood landed in the meadow as I was walking past.
No 7 Oops! Sorry, can I squeeze a Gatekeeper in please?
A Gatekeeper enjoying a rest in the border.
I was mesmerised by all the butterflies flitting everywhere, it was so wonderful to see them all enjoying the sunshine and the nectar, I enjoyed the sunshine too, just wish we had a bit more of it. Thanks again to Jon The Propagator for hosting each week, do pay him a visit to see what is happening elsewhere.
Lovely butterfly photos Pauline. The Buddleja really is a magnet for them. No wonder they call it the butterfly bush.
Thanks Denise, the buddleia was certainly working hard on the day I took the photos and the perfume was amazing, no wonder they were attracted!
I love seeing your butterflies, Pauline! They are something I remember noticing as soon as I started reading your blog (a number of years ago now), especially the strongly patterned, colorful Peacock. I’ve seen Painted Lady butterflies before, but none this year. Your butterfly bush is so lush. Mine needs constant deadheading but it has been very dry until recently. Maybe rains will help. Have a good week.
Yes, I think the Peacock butterfly is gorgeous, but then you have so many wonderfully coloured examples Susie, I’m always very envious of your Swallowtails and Monarchs.
What a lovely selection of visitors you have had ! Our butterfly numbers are way down this year . So far I have only seen one bedraggled Painted Lady and no Comma or Peacock butterflies. Speckled Woods enjoy our meadow and have been numerous. I wonder if the cold Spring followed by very hot weather and now wet and windy , has just been more than they could cope with?.We could all do with some gentle sunshine.
Many thanks Mary,it was a good butterfly day when I took them. Like you, there haven’t been the same numbers this year, I have put it down to the weather being so cold and wet here. I think we will be getting our gentle sunshine next week, then we should all be happy!
Lovely to have these visitors Pauline – and for them to allow you to photograph them!
It was lovely to have them all Cathy, but not all were willing to be photographed! The lovely large orange coloured Silver Washed Fritillary just wouldn’t sit still for me no matter how long I waited, so frustrating!
What a treat seeing these beauties. Wonderful that you are providing so well for them. I haven’t seen many peacocks this year, hopefully they will still arrive.xxx
It has been a good week for butterflies Dina, lovely to see them flitting about each day, all the buddlejas and eupatorium are certainly earning their space in the garden. The Silver Washed Fritillary and Jersey Tiger Moth arrived the next day but still haven’t managed to photograph them, I’ll keep trying!