Monday 2 August 2010

Urban wildlife


Opening the door into the back lane, I noticed that a little shred of dead leaf had attached itself to the wood.


Oh, perhaps not a leaf....


It posed obligingly, as photos were taken from every angle.






And then with a rapid flick of its wings, it was off.


I have no idea what it was, but it was a pleasure to watch at rest for a few brief moments.

17 comments:

Sue said...

The camouflage butterflies use is amazing, mind you I think maybe this one needs a few lessons, it doesn't quite work on your back gate.

Kitty said...

I think it's a Comma butterfly! We sometimes see them here, they look ragged and ripped but open up to a lovely rusty red colour. Beautiful - what lovely pics.

judy in ky said...

Wow! Great wildlife photography.

jabblog said...

I had a similar experience a couple of months ago though 'mine' was different. Yours is a Comma, so called because of the white comma on the underwing.

rachel said...

Thank you - I hate not knowing what something is called, and I couldn't find it when I looked it up.

Dartford Warbler said...

Rachel - it is definitely a Comma! There are photos of one sunbathing , with its wings wide open, on my blog post from yesterday. We have had several of them in the garden recently. I love their raggedy wings.

Lucille said...

Yep. My trusty Collins Complete British Wildlife says it is a Comma. The caterpillars feed on common nettle, elm and hops. Oh and it is double brooded and hibernates.

annie hoff said...

That's absolutely amazing it's so completely like a leaf!

Catherine said...

Oh, what lovely photos. Very special moment. Where are you planning to go when you leave Newcastle - the place my gorgeous son is at University at the moment!

Susan said...

wow !! amazing & beautiful !! great photos

Anonymous said...

Amazing photos! I've never seen one of these before - I will have to look carefully next time I see odd leaves about the place!

Anonymous said...

Well spotted - intriguing. Glad you know it's a Comma, saves a restless few hours wondering. I like its pretend eye. I shall look it up now as I'm curious about how it got its name.

mountainear said...

Wonderful - and so easily missed. I shall view small dark dead leaves with more respect in future.

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

I am in awe of your photos! Fantastic.

Sweet Virginia Breeze said...

What an interesting butterfly. I've never seen one like that. You good some great pictures of it!

Rattling On said...

Our garden is home to some enormous moths at the moment. I try to remember to close the windows in the evening as the eldest won't sleep if one is anywhere in the house! She doesn't take after me with wildlife at all.

Catherine said...

Oh my goodness ~ I have never seen anything like it! Excellent photos!

Have a nice evening.
xo Catherine

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