Pyronia tithonus also known as the Hedge Brown or the Gatekeeper. The latter name apparently derives from this butterfly’s habit of feeding on clumps of flowers in gateways or along field margins. It is a midsummer butterfly and common across England from Yorkshire southwards. I spotted this one yesterday morning having a very good feed on one of my doronicum flowers, but refusing to open it wings. Then it moved to the nearby apple tree, and I caught a momentary display. When not visiting gardens it prefers the nectar of Wild Marjoram, Common Fleabane, ragworts, and Bramble. Interestingly, the Common Fleabane flower does look very similar to the doronicum.
Tish Farrell 
how stunning
These are are lovely.
Thank you, Sherry
I took part in the Big Butterfly Count yesterday (anyone can do this!) and this was our most common butterfly. Just a sensible little butterfly, going quietly about its business!
Thanks for the reminder, Ali.
I did hear about the Big Butterfly Count this morning on radio 4. I imagine you are counting all the time. Wonderful images….on this hot summer day. Janet 🙂
I’d forgotten about the count, Janet. But I am rather puzzled as to how you give even a vaguely accurate total. They’re all over the place and whisking back and forth.
that did occur to me 🙂
Great photo’s!
🙂
Pretty little thing, and that’s a fabulous opening shot, Tish. 🙂 🙂 Must be the warm weather (or the gates 🙂 ) cos I’ve seen a few up here too.
I read that they are very climate responsive so that would explain their presence up north – all this spreading heatwave. Just been looking at the forecast. Boiling tomorrow and even more boiling on Thurs. The promise of rain keeps getting further away too. Phew and double phew!
I shall be in Knaresborough and then Leeds tomorrow. Walking under trees and seeking safety in cafes 🙂
Good plan under trees and in cafes 🙂
Beautiful, Tish. ( the butterfly too, of course!)
I shall alert another blog pal who is nuts ablout butterflies. I have never seen this one on his blog. I am sure he will be just as thrilled.
Cheers, Ark. Pete Hillman had a great shot of one the other day, which is how I knew its name (also thanks to you that I now follow him).
How beautiful! I love it’s colouring.
Lovely, isn’t it.
Super shots Tish, Ark tipped me of so I thought I’d pop over for a look, very impressive! Brian
Very nice of you to pop over, Brian, and say such nice things. Just been to look at your photos which are v. stunning. Mine are more in the ‘taking happy snaps’ mode 🙂
You are one excellent butterfly stalker! Lovely shots
Thank you, Meg. To be honest the closed wing shots were easy. The Gatekeeper seemed to be in a complete reverie.
Oh, what lovely photos, Tish, especially that first one.
janet
Thank you, Janet. It was very accommodating of the Gatekeeper to stay so long on the doronicum, even giving me time to go indoors and find the camera.
So thoughtful!! 🙂
How I wish I could see a series of quick shots of you doing this photography. The Gatekeeper must be pleased with his portrait.
Ha! Candid Tish shooting shots. You will just have to take those imaginary views yourself, Shimon 🙂 Actually the photo shoot did involve a few contortions on my part as our little apple tree was rather in the way of the first shot. But now you raise the matter, I do seem to spend a lot of time endeavouring not to fall over while trying to take photos in odd tracts of vegetation.
A very charming gatekeeper. 🙂
I am getting Gatekeeper envy. First Pete, now you! Why can’t I see one?
Sorry, Jude. Maybe find some fleabane???
I have some fleabane, maybe the message hasn’t reached the Gatekeepers yet.
An ‘open for business’ sign?? 🙂
Maybe if you persauded someone to wear that colour you could get some open winged shots 🙂
Now there’s a notion, though it rather has me thinking of he who builds shed in a Big Bird suit. Wouldn’t go down well.
Well that was who I was thinking of . . .
🙂