Gatekeeping

This afternoon we had a short visit from the Family B, who (quite coincidentally) were also in Nottinghamshire yesterday, and called in on us to break their journey home to Wales and allow the boys to run off some steam. It was delightful to see them, and luckily they knew we'd been out on the razz yesterday, so they weren't expecting much by way of hospitality. In which regard we didn't let them down, I'm rather ashamed to say. 

As they were getting ready to leave we explained to the Boy Wonder that he'd be back with us next weekend, and were thoroughly cross-questioned on exactly when we were talking about, and how long he'd be staying. On hearing that he'd be here for two nights he said, "Yay! The first day we will go to Croome, and the second day we will go to Slimbridge." I hedged a little, explaining that we hadn't yet sorted out all the details of the visit, so we'd have to see how things worked out... and received an extremely straight look in return. I'd like to think he'll have forgotten these demands by next Friday, but there's every chance he won't.

Anyway, what with one thing and another, very few photos were taken today, and it was pure luck that I happened on these Gatekeepers in cop in the secret garden, while walking through with a camera in my hand. Many butterflies are shy about being seen in what must surely be a rather vulnerable position - they certainly make a bigger target for a potential predator while coupled like this - but in my experience Gatekeepers are quite exhibitionist, and tend to flaunt their love. This pair had been perched on a low weed, but when I accidentally disturbed them they simply moved onto the laurel hedge and re-perched at camera height, making it ridiculously easy for me to immortalise them.