Where's Wally?

Rain heralded its presence in the distance, whilst a luminous patchwork of willow-patterned sky patiently hung around above to enjoy a spot of  butterfly catching at Arnside. Without even a bead of persp. I had Graylings busying themselves in front of me; circling around like an ill-timed hula hoop and then flopping to the ground to be lost against the perfectly synchronised stone backdrop.




Photo 1 shows the Grayling in the same spot as Photo 2. Sensational camouflage! Depending on the angle of light and position of the observer, a none-too-funny version of Where's Wally can ensue for the pursuer as the stoney landscape is scanned for a glimmer of a clue or a shimmer of dew on an otherwise mottled underwing. Best just to stomp forth and force an invertebrate uprising of Wally.

The second recorded species of the day was the Dark Green Fritillary. A classroom of males zig-zagged like X-wings in a canyon, inches from the ground in pursuit of a ground bound female, locating her by scent and regularly pausing for bramble juice and a breath catch. The photo shown is of a male (top), preparing to enchant the female with his stunningly patterned fiery fleece. This semblance of visual perfection was roused to submission when the female failed to stoop to the exchange, and took her noticably clipped wings to pastures pleasant in hope of a better suitor.