Curled up proboscis

Last night we went to a nearby mountain to catch some refreshing air and falling stars. We lay in the grass gazing up to the sky for hours as our skin and body as a whole regained its normal temperature. I would have loved to show you a picture of some of the most spectacular shooting stars that we saw rushing across the sky and burning up in the atmosphere, but my photographic skills are poor.

Therefore todays blip is a common blue butterfly posing on oregano in flower, caught before (my) breakfast and more importantly before the mercury column started rising again (today is supposed to be the peak of the heatwave). I think that the butterfly had not had breakfast either because its proboscis was curled up all the time too. Maybe it was just warming up with the first rays of sun, or maybe it didn't like the oregano's nectar -was it too bitter?
Interesting fact that when butterflies emerge from the pupa, their proboscis is actually split in two C-shaped fibres, socalled maxillary galeae. To join the two pieces they must curl it up repeatedly, wetting it with saliva, which also works as a glue (there are some interesting videos of the process out there). When the two galeae join, the proboscis becomes a tube-like drinking device. Once the self-assembly is complete they are ready to enjoy the nectar of choice.