Giving my sweat for Butterfly Conservation

I almost stepped on this male Purple Emperor at the nature reserve today. It was quite sedentary and I was able to attract it on to my hand with an offer of sweat full of the salts it was craving. We have had sightings over the last few years, but this was my first ever really close encounter. Shortly after this shot it zoomed off on a typical boy-racer circuit of the high woodland canopy and was quickly lost to view. Extra photo shows the upper wings. A very special day!