Red Admiral

There were a number of butterflies enjoying the autumn sunshine today when I took the dog for a walk at lunchtime.

She has had a stressful day today.
It started by her nearly being dog-napped from the garden by our 'Ethnic minority travelling friends'. I was feeding the chickens when a large truck, you know the sort, squealed to a halt by the drive, the occupants having seen her. They caught her attention with a tasty morsel and she was walking towards them, nose in the air, sniffing. Fortunately I turned round at that moment and shouted loud enough to distract her. I ran across the garden and the truck roared off up the lane.

Then at lunchtime she ran up the farm track to where there was an odd guy eating sandwiches, and she nearly snatched one off him, I shouted again! Strange place for a picnic, well he nearly was one sandwich short!!

This afternoon she got shouted at again when she chased some partridges out of the garden.
It really is a dog's life living with me.

Anyway, I took some other pics of this Red Admiral with it's wings open, but just loved the subtle patterning on the underside of the wings. The camoflage against the dying blackberries on which it was feeding is remarkable.
I expext this one will over winter in a shed or hollow tree nearby.