I have three Lavender bushes in my small garden, and the bees and butterflies really enjoy visiting them. Next year I may consider planting a lavender hedge, if I can make room for one. This butterfly with the twin spots is called the Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus).
Click once to expand view, click again to get that little bit closer
July 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
Nature Journeys 
The butterfly is beautiful. I have one lavender bush, but only small butterflies like the flowers.
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Thank you, Miriam 🙂
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You’re welcome, Pete. 🙂
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🙂
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🙂
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Looks like being another good year for Gatekeepers.
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Yes, there has been plenty of them in the garden so far.
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Impressive how close and clear
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Thank you, Ted 🙂 When they are engrossed in their feeding they don’t always notice me snapping them.
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A Lavender hedge would be utterly charming and smell wonderful when you rake your fingers through it.
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Great pictures. I’m always impressed by their patterned eyes.
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Thank you, Susanne 🙂
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I love lavender almost as much as the pollinators do. My favorite is ‘Hidcote’ for its dark purple blooms.
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They will be one for me to look out for! 🙂
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How gorgeous! If I was passing I would have to pick a flower and rub it between my fingertips … having asked your permission of course. And not to disturb the butterfly…
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You sure can, Diana! The scent of lavender is something special. Thank you 🙂
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Right up there with jasmine and cedar in my beloved olfactory hierarchy of odors! Gosh, that was a mouthful hehe
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Now I wouldn’t like to say that after a few glasses lol! Yet very nicely said, Diana! 🙂
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Haha if we ever meet we can make it a mission to try such tongue twisters on each other after an ale or two! 🍻 😊
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Sure! Cheers! 🙂
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The Gatekeeper is so lovely yet I don’t think I have seen one, certainly not with those wings open.
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They don’t always open their wings but when they do they are beautiful, and the males and females differ.
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Beautiful butterflies! We also have lavender in our garden as well as other flowers that attract them
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Thank you 🙂 I am pleased you can enjoy them and the lavender, too!
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Lovely photos Pete. Nice introduction to this new butterfly😊
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Thank you, Belinda 🙂 It seems to be a good year for these so far with plenty of them visiting the garden.
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Butterflies adore lavender, it makes a great cut flower and scented bags from the seeds! Whats not to like!!
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I couldn’t agree more!
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That’s a real good combination … butterfly and lavender! Both small, but very beautiful!
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Thank you, Pepix 🙂 I hope to plant more lavender to help attract more pollinating insects.
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Lovely images of this beautiful butterfly. It looks like the same species we used to have on our terrace among our flowers but we had no lavender but lots of butterflies 🙂 Today our terrace and flowers are unfortunately gone.
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Thank you, Anita 🙂 Thye are such beautiful butterflies.
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Beautiful Pete. Some great photos.
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On the lookout for Gatekeepers right now, and going to look through my few butterfly photos to see if Gatekeepers have wandered in without me knowing their identities (there’s a lot of this). I’ve never heard that name before, hopefully they will keep visiting your lavender. Beautiful photos.
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Thank you, Jill 🙂 I believe they are also called the Hedge Brown. I hope you get to see one!
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Great shots … lavender is such a fav in the insect world!
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Thank you, Julie 🙂 We should all fine a spot to grow it in our gardens 🙂
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Lavender is a garden essential, I think there have been more gatekeepers than usual this year.
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Great shots, Pete! 🙂 We call this butterfly the Orange Sand eye, but Gatekeeper sounds much cooler.
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Thank you very much 🙂
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