Time flies when you're bothering butterflies

A Painted Lady Butterfly closeup

Time flies when you're bothering butterflies

They’re so pretty. All of those different colours and patterns, not to mention the shimmering tones and delicate fluttering on the breeze as they flit from flower to flower.

This year looks to have been a really good year for them – I’ve certainly seen more both in quantity and type. If you want to join in the annual Butterfly Count, it’s on until the 9th August 2026 - https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

All that being said, we often get so engrossed in identifying species that we sometimes forget that they’re living, breathing beings, not just a scientific name or pretty wings.

We don’t need to know their scientific name to appreciate them or understand their habitats and behaviours.

Just spend some time with them, appreciate them as fellow beings and enjoy being with them.I spent an hour standing in a thistle bush this week in the sunshine, watching all the different creatures coming and going. The indignance of the butterfly when an errant bee landed on them, the soldier beetle’s expressive antennae and the delight at a furry hoverfly landing on my hand.

I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the characters I met.

Starting with the Hoverflies!A close-up macro shot of Hoverfly on a light purple thistle flower, with a soft green blurred natural background.

A closeup shot of a hoverfly drinking from a purple flowerA Furry Hoverfly on a purple flower

A yellow and black hoverfly on a purple flower

A Painted Lady Butterfly

A close-up photograph of a Painted Lady butterfly perched on purple thistle flowers in a natural outdoor setting with blurred green foliage in the background.

The beautifully gothic underside of the Peacock Butterfly...

Underside of the Peacock Butterfly showing its dark wings

The Hedge Brown ButterflyHedge Brown Butterfly

A childhood favourite - the Red Admiral Butterfly

A Red Admiral Butterfly on leaves

A Small Skipper Butterfly 

A Small Skipper Butterfly drinking from a purple flowerA Green Bottle Fly. Apparently they can taste food through their feet! Can you imagine if we took off our socks and stood on a cake to taste it how much slimmer we'd be...Green Bottle Fly on purple flowers

Now these little guys are amazing. Soldier Beetles. I love their expressive antennae and sweet little faces. There's plenty around at this time of year. I find them to be very brave and friendly and will happily pootle about on your hand. Don't worry, they can't bite. But watch with delight as they open their wings and take off.

Soldier Beetle on a purple flower

Of course, we have to have a Bumble Bee.Red Tailed Bumble Bee on a purple flower

Even a Damselfly!Damselfly on a leaf

and the cycle continues... (unless it gets snaffled by a bird of course)A Caterpillar on a leaf

Enjoy your wild world, wherever you are.

Sarah

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