Perhaps it wanted to attract my attention, if so it certainly succeeded! A butterfly danced past my kitchen window, across the patio, as if searching for something. A few moments later I saw it had come to rest on an acer. Wings outstretched, sunbathing, enjoying the warmth. I love the way the colours of this delightful insect complement the leaves it chose to rest upon. The vibrant green acer next to acer atropurpureum with its dark sultry shades. Even the finely cut leaf edge with its pale outline of colour seems to match the butterfly’s wings.

My butterfly lingered, enabling me to savour the moment too & capture the beauty on camera. Looking at this image you can see the creamy yellow edge to its wings. It is a real thing of beauty, as though an artist has painted the amazing detail. I can imagine the softness, like velvet of its wings, warm with by dappled sunlight. It is moments like these that are the high spots of a day. Unexpected, simple , a time to treasure & wonder at.

I learned that this is a Speckled Wood, a butterfly that likes woodland. Perhaps it was lost; somehow I doubt it mistook my tiny garden for woodland, though the pots of acers that line my patio mimic a miniature woodland…