Saturday 8 September 2012

Beach Butterfly

We've had a beautiful week weatherwise here in the UK but of course nothing stays the same for very long here and the forecast for next week is not so good.  So I took the opportunity of a day off work to go for a paddle yesterday.  And I love the beach at this time of year when school holidays have finished and most people are too busy to spend time just walking on the shore.


I paddled along the edge of the water for an hour or so, ate some sandwiches, walked and paddled a bit more, picked up shells and pebbles, and just as I was thinking it was time to head off home I noticed a poor butterfly stuck in the wet sand.  I thought it was dead but still wanted to pick it out of the sand and when I did I saw it was still alive.  It immediately started trying to clean itself on my hand and I brushed away the bigger lumps of sand.  Once it had managed to separate it's stuck together antenae it started looking like a live butterfly again but what to do with it?


Well I was reluctant to let it go and watch it get blown back onto the beach again so I decided to take it back to the car.  I was going to leave it on a bush on the promenade but it was still breezy and so I put it on the back seat of the car and drove away (yes, ridiculous I know!).  When I got home half an hour later I carefully searched it out and found it asleep on a coat sleeve and feeling very pleased with myself I set it free out of the back door into the garden.  I hope it didn't mind being taken 18 miles away from its home patch.  But hopefully it will be safe here in the gardens and fields of my local patch!  (By the way - its a Small Tortoiseshell)


8 comments:

  1. What a wonderful day! I'm sure he will be very happy in your garden!!

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  2. What a lovely day, Ann, thanks for sharing it with us!

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  3. Beautiful photos. You are such a kind soul thinking of that butterfly. I hope it didn't suffer from car sickness!!!

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  4. Bless you Ann that is such a sweet story. We took advantage of the warm weather and had a day by the River Test. It was lovely and quiet just us and the swans feeding on the river. We even managed to give our feet a quick dip. It was shockingly cold but refreshing at the same time. Hugs Mrs A.

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  5. I just love reading about your little escapes and the adventures you have discovered. Love how you rescued the butterfly and have brought it home to your safe haven. There is a definite change in the air around us. Another season is arriving. Thanks for sharing your day with us.

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  6. What a lovely day Ann! I'm glad the butterfly is safe in your garden. It's beautiful. I really enjoyed your photos as always! Thank you for sharing with us.

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  7. How sweeet you are!!!!!!! I think the butterfly will stay in your garden and become your pet......
    I LOVE the shells too.

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  8. Ann .. with their long flight period and some better weather you may well see a few more of this species.

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Thank you so much for visiting my blog and taking the time to comment - its hugely appreciated. Ann :o)

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