We had two butterflies in the garden this afternoon, this peacock and our painted lady - who only put in a brief appearance, as if she had more important things to do elsewhere. Which made me very sad as research by DM - see comments on earlier post here - suggests that, unless humans interfere, painted ladies do not last the winter as they cannot tolerate the cold.
It was sunshine which brought them out. As soon as the sun went behind a cloud they flew off, and only returned when the sun was shining strongly - as if today's weather, with a temperature of 12C and a coolish southwesterly breeze, was near the limit of their tolerance.
Each time I see a butterfly on the wing I keep thinking this may be the last one I see in 2024; and that each one I see is a bonus, that I should be very grateful for a chance to be near one of these beautiful insects.
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