Resting, holly blue butterfly, Compton

Resting, holly blue butterfly

Resting on vegetation by the canal towpath at Compton, a holly blue butterfly. The striking blue of their upper wings is only visible when they take flight.

There’s one in the same area every year. Actually, there must be at least two to ensure a fresh generation each year, but I only seem to spot one.

Cobb brooding, Doxey

Cobb brooding, Doxey

Cobb (male swan) brooding the eggs on the nest on the Sow at Doxey Marshes Nature Reserve, plucking feathers from its back to add to those lining the nest.

Cobb brooding, Doxey

Seen on a visit just over a week after https://wolveswild.net/swan-and-nest-doxey-marshes/.

Male orange tip butterfly, lady’s smock, Doxey

Orange tip butterfly, lady's smock, Doxey

Orange tip butterfly feeding on flowers if one of its favourite food plants, lady’s smock, on Doxey Marshes. I’d seen half a dozen other males that morning, and a single one of the more reclusive females. All the others dhad been moving too fast and unpredictably for me to focus on.