Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina) – Heatwave here, so out early this morning in the fields, and it is butterfly heaven out there. I had an interesting encounter with this male Meadow Brown butterfly I found feeding on a thistle. 9 times out of 10 I encounter them with their wings folded, but this one had them open for me. As I went to take the shot it shut them. Open again, focusing, shut again and missed again. This went on for a short while, so I decide to wave at it, thinking it would either fly off or flash its wings open to ward me off. It flashed, then closed. Still no shot. I waved again, virtually in its face, another flash, shut again. This went on and on, until finally …. fully open. It may not be as pretty or as fanciful as some of the butterflies out there, but still beautiful in its own special way. Note the darker ‘sex brands’ on the forewings and the faint orange flush.
Double-click image for a closer look.
For further interest visit the ‘Butterflies’ page.
Nature Journeys 