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Ten days ago, there were drifts of yellow hawkbit and dark green fritillaries fed on their nectar. Now the flowers are gone, leaving parachute seed-heads ready to catch the breeze. Scabious are everywhere, with knapweed and carline thistle attracting bumble bees. There are days when butterflies luxuriate, sipping nectar in a leisurely way.
Butterflies are fragile creatures and the wings of this meadow brown are weathered, torn and translucent. Colours on the common blue look faded. I saw a ringlet but it was gone in a moment.