Butterflies

There are more butterflies in the wildflower meadow and grassland this year at Sun Rising than ever before.  This is a combination of weather conditions and the development of the meadow, which is richer in ecological diversity all the time.

This is a fascinating photograph.  The dark butterfly is the underwing view of a peacock (Inachis io), and the little red moth is the six spot burnet (Zygaena filipendulae).  I watched them for about twenty minutes, the burnet harassing the peacock again and again, landing on its wing tips.

Peacock with 6 Spot Burnet Moth

Peacock with 6 Spot Burnet Moth

Actually, for me, one of the most beautiful elements of the photograph is the drying grass head, lying against the knapweed bud to the right.  It seems to my human mind a moment of quiet gentleness beside the insects’ high drama.