The Mountain Apollo Butterfly …

… hanging on to knapweed in the wind that was whipping across the meadow where I saw two of these. The second one is in extras. Apparently they are rare partly because of “collectors” who try to collect the many subspecies of this large and beautiful butterfly! Can you believe it! I’ve only seen them twice before so I was delighted to find them as I descended the Grande Jumelle above Lac Taney. A great day out with my Japanese walking friend and her husband.
Quote from Wikipedia “ Laws exist to protect the Apollo butterfly in many countries. The Apollo is on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.”