Mrs. K. Hits the Jackpot.

The day began with drizzle and grey clouds. Not a good prospect for butterfly hunters. A slight brightening by lunchtime brought out hundreds of Marbled Whites but little else it seemed.

At a place on the map marked with a cross by our expert friend in England we crossed a field to look at some plants by a stream. And Wow, Mrs.K spotted something much more exciting. The Holy Grail of butterfly enthusiasts. The Lesser Purple Emperor.

This wonderful butterfly lives high up in Oak trees and comes down to find moisture and minerals in disturbed ground.

It is not found in the U.K. It is not to be confused with the Purple Emperor which itself is a great rarity back at home.

The iridescent blue shows when light hits the wings at a certain angle. On some of my shots there is none to be seen. I am informed that this is a female.

Much excitement but it will be hard to find any blips to compete in the rest of the holiday.