Small tortoiseshell

It was a beautiful day after a cool night.  Reggie was grazing on the lawn in the sunshine and was out until late afternoon, before retreating to his house for the evening.  Our Buddleia was the biggest attraction in the village - for butterflies at least.  Numbers have been building up over the last few days, we had a peak count of five red admirals and a similar number of small tortoiseshells, together with single peacocks, commas and large whites.  These are all common butterflies, and ever so commonly photographed and blipped - the challenge is to try and find a different angle to the usual.  Tortoiseshell wings, like those of fritillaries, are like stained glass when seen against bright light.

There were no painted ladies - I was hopeful after yesterday that one might drop by today.  Particularly after Bern and Pam told us when we saw them for coffee and cakes in Beetham, that they have been hosting painted ladies in their garden in Carnforth.

Otherwise it's been a quiet weekend in Arnside.