Whilst out walking earlier this week I couldn't help but notice that most of the butterflies I saw were looking rather the worse for wear, as they now, after showing well all Summer and with Autumn fast approaching, start to come to the end of their life cycle.
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| Common Blue male |
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| Common Blue female |
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| Meadow Brown male |
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| Meadow Brown female |
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| Chalkhill Blue male |
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| Gatekeeper female |
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| Gatekeeper female |
Note the slightly different (small) spot markings on these two females.
And finally my hero of the day, this badly worn Common Blue male, even in this state, still appeared able to fly perfectly well, and indeed was rigorously defending 'his patch' from anything that came remotely near!
A great example of how nature is 'hot wired' to do its thing, regardless!
