a seam of copper...

...on Ballard Down.

Much less sunshine today, and definitely feeling much cooler. If there is one single adjective that 2012's weather will leave me with, it is windy!

It is my intention to milk Ballard Down's rich vein of autumn fauna for as long as possible and, today, it is the turn of the Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas, and this year there are loads of them. This is one butterfly that you can guarantee will open its wings the very second the sun shines. All you have to do is sit (or stoop) and wait. I love the little blue spots, which are a reminder that, along with the hairstreaks, coppers are in the same family as the blues...