Silver Studded Blue Butterfly

Today I went to Prees Heath Common to take photos of the Silver Studded Butterfly. This reserve is the only place in the Midlands where they live.

The males are blue (main blip) and the females brown (extra) and both have silver spots, hence the name.  The caterpillars are tended by Black Ants in return for them producing a sugary substance which the ants eat. 

It was tremendously hot so I didn't stay quite as long as I had intended. I did bump into a couple that I know from the folk music scene that were out for a walk so it was good to chat to them.