Marsh Fritillary

The beauty of the rare Marsh Fritillary never fails to send my heart soaring when I find one. Still a little early here I think but there were just a couple in the short turf of the meadow bank flitting as they do over the buttercups, vetch and dandelions. I was lucky enough to capture this one landing on an Common Spotted Orchid and did a gentle/careful dive to get the shot and not scare it off. Tricky! :) Poppy stood by good as gold, panting in the heat looking impressed! Oh yes ;))

Rare, because of farming practises due to land drainage and ploughing, it was a treat to see today.