Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
This the Small Tortoiseshell above. Tortoiseshells have been in my garden almost continually since March… one of the first butterflies we see in spring, and also one of the last in the autumn.
Below is the Common Brimstone
The brimstone is yellow (butterfly yellow) when it flies, but NEVER settles with its wings open! I have lots of them in the garden, but have never seen the upper side up close!
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Always a joy to see butterflies…yours are beautiful
Thank you Donna. During the hot weather the last week couple of weeks there were so many fluttering around!
Wonderful photos, as always, Cathy.
And now, I am going to sit down quietly.
Hope it works!
Hi Cathy, Happiness, indeed.
Do you actually chase them around the garden? I do!
LOL! Yes, I hope the neighbours don’t see me….
It’s a joy to see butterflies from another part of the world. Lovely.
Yes, what is common for one, is completely new for another!
I like the cultural differences. We call them Small Fox (orange) and Lemon Falter (yellow) in german.
Some butterfly names are similar, but mostly they differ quite a lot.
Stunning photos – esp the first one. Beautiful!
Thank you!
I like the quote – yes, happiness sometimes comes to you when least expected,,,,
Happiness even may be to watch a rare butterfly fluttering around in your garden or alighting
on a flower so that you are able to admire its beauty One of my favourite butterflies is the “Kleine Fuchs”, Very pretty photos!
Thanks Elisabeth. Happy butterfly watching!
Beautiful…
I have to remind myself to look at the tortoiseshell and admire it, as it is so common here I forget how pretty it is!
Such beautiful photos. I am always grateful to those who photograph and name butterflies… I struggle to remember which is which and the more I see, the better I become at remembering, so thank you.
Thanks Gardening Shoe! I am making an effort this year to identify the ones in my garden, and am trying to keep a record of the ones I can photograph at least! (Some are just too quick!)
Nice compo and colours. Just love it.
Thanks a lot Ricardo!
Love Butterflies, nice pictures Cathy.
Thank you Nature789!
First of all, that is a wonderful quote, and so very true. The colors on these butterflies are beautiful. Both are similar ones we have, I think a bit brighter. I love the purple markings on the tortoise shell. My lavender hasn’t even begun to flower yet. Your area must have a much longer growing season than we do.
My lavender flowered early June… a little earlier than usual, but was then scorched by the heatwave we had! I should cut it back, but the butterflies and bees still come, so it must stay!
Lovely pics!
Thanks Juraj!
Beautiful, love the Hawthorne quote, so very true!
Thank you Strawberry patch!