Local layabout

Yes, I know I've blipped butterflies lately, but as many on you in the UK have seen so few this summer I've decided to go on blipping them while they're around..

There is a huge buddleia bush by the side of the path that leads through houses up to Barton Farm.  The butterflies you can be sure of seeing hanging out on it this time of year are peacocks and - even more - red admirals.  So the title of this blip could equally apply to the blipper or the blipped!

This red admiral was a very fine specimen, absolutely wonderful when it opened its wings (I will go back sometime and try for an open-winged shot) but I did find the underside, as you see it here, quite fascinating.  Like a canvas a painter has worked on over and over in patterns - and not unlike the effect of yesterday's painted boat in some ways.

So there we are.  Nothing much else achieved, apart from some very hot garden tidying.  And I've heard nothing about the old chap, except that I know he spent last night in hospital.  So I wait to hear.  I expect his family's in quite a tis and I want to be tactful, but I shan't wait much longer to find out.

Have a happy Thursday evening  xx