Scotch Argus on Kendal Fell

Scotch Argus

Heavy rain overnight and grasses drenched, but there are Scotch Argus on Kendal Fell and if the sun can break through cloud we should see them.
Here, a golf course is managed in harmony with conservation. Steep and rough ground is managed for flora, and so for butterflies.  It's late in the season and buddleia flowers are past their best, but we see their butterfly potential.  There's knapweed and thistles that offer nectar.  And we head for an area of blue moor grass on the limestone, favoured by Scotch Argus.

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Raindrops stood proud on grass blades. The morning was humid with hot air brought in by tropical storm Ernesto. Scotch Argus are looking rather worn, being late in their season.  We glimpsed one in flight and followed to see it  settle in the grass,  and we crept   close.  My shadow inadvertently touched a butterfly and it did not stir. Never seen Scotch Argus so close and settled.  So close-up images, although the butterflies lack a rich depth of colour. I have different specimens and you can see damage on some of their wings. A small copper and several whites too.
Pleased to find red bartsia, its flowers almost over. This is a site I hope to revisit earlier in the season in 2019. Vistas would be spectacular on a day of better visibility.  Lurid light lit spots of landscape, beneath louring cloud.
Striking cones on a tall conifer I'm not familiar with.