I apologise, this post was intended for Sunday, only I took so many photos and it took me so long to work through them, that at 11pm I decided it was far too late to be writing a blog post as I'd only be grouchy and boring.
Mind you, is Monday morning any better?!
Yesterday the weather was lovely, and with the sun came the insects including the butterflies! So, although I didn't get anything exciting like a Painted Lady - I'm seriously beginning to wonder whether their massive migration was actually a lie because I still have seen nada, not a single one.
As a result I have decided that this post will have to be a butterfly post because if I combined the plants with the insects there would be an obscene number of photos…
First I noticed two Gatekeepers on the Sea Holly…
Just I was getting into the swing of things…
My camera battery died!!!!
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Luckily it did remain sunny, and I left the battery to charge for a short while before being unable to resist taking photos any longer.
Mainly because I spotted this fella…
She was right up against my face on the Buddleia and as the wind blew it around I was getting a little too close for comfort :)
Shortly after [scaring away the Small Tortoiseshell] I looked across at the Privet, there was a sea of Butterflies flitting around along it, and amongst the whites and gatekeepers I saw a Meadowbrown… Sadly, the battery was dead so I couldn't get a shot *weeps*
The Bees also like the Sea Holly, and I do wonder whether they prefer certain types… Although I couldn't say whether mine are different but they do all seem to prefer the Sea Holly in the left border compared to the ones in the right. Of course it may also be that the one in the left is in full flower compared to those in the right which are a little behind…
The Sea Holly in the left border
This lovely Gatekeeper enjoying the nectar
Is surprised by a Bee coming in to share
Not to worry, they make the perfect couple
A Bee in the Crocosmia (I really ought to begin finding out the names of the Bees…)
A Green-Veined White visits briefly but is quickly moved on by the Large Whites (Butterflies chasing was a regular sight yesterday, as there were so many)
One of the [beautiful] big bullies…
A Comma put in an appearance
This Bee is a newer visitor I believe, until now we've mainly been getting them with white bums, although some with red too were seen they had different yellow patterns on the body…
A hoverfly takes a break on the Blackcurrant
And another pollinates my Tomatoes for me
And a teeny tiny Bee on the Verbena…
I did also see a Speckled Wood, the photograph was too poor to use though! One landed right in front of me on the Buddleia literally inches from me, I couldn't believe my luck! The shutter releasing scared it off and all I have is a blurred image of it taking off... Such a shame, they're so jumpy!
