common_nature | Small tortoiseshell butterfly

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We hadn't seen many butterflies this year until the past week, when it suddenly got warm. I was starting to worry because the oregano was in full bloom and our usual swarm of small tortoiseshells hadn't turned up yet. They have now (and there was much rejoicing). Prior to that I'd only seen the occasional cabbage white, a single peacock and a solitary painted lady, which was never around when I had my camera out.

I spent a pleasant half hour trying to get the perfect shot of one of the tortoiseshells. This is SOOC (straight off of camera, uncropped and unedited), and I'm pretty happy to have captured it.

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From:

cesy

Oooh, pretty!

From:

nanila

Isn't it? There are so many! Seven, the last time I counted, just on our one oregano plant. :)

From:

uninvitedcat

Beautiful!

I've only seen a couple of cabbage whites this year. I'm hoping the two buddlija soldiers in the garden will tempt a few others in.

From:

nanila

Yes! I'll keep my fingers crossed for more butterfly visitors for you.

From:

alatefeline

Ooooooh shiny. Excellent use of your time and materials. And hooray, the oregano will be pollinated!

From:

nanila

Thanks! And yes, very pleased at the butterflies' good work.

I was also very happy to see the honey bees returning in large numbers. There are some hives not far from us, so I'm happy to be aiding their activities as well. :)

From:

alatefeline

BZZZZZZ! I have been happily observing absolute masses of honeybees, along with another two or three species of bees and some other insects, in the profuse local flowers in Portland this summer. They have a fanbase here, which is awesome. We live just down the street from a beekeeping, gardening, honey, and mead store!