Peacock Butterfly

@Lorraine: Hoooraaayyyy...The best news today; you know thats really made my day, as I was missing you.

@zOOm: Thanks, for me this photo was a bit of luck, it landed right in front of me.

@Kylie Greenan: Thanks Kylie, these are quite common in the UK, as the catterpillers feed on common nettles. They are quite big butterflies, but I have never found them easy to photograph, as they never sit still.

@Observing: I think it was more luck than judgement on my part, as it landed right in front of me dead close, and I reckon there must have been an August/September brood this year, as its wings still look colourful and not tatty. I did try to chase some others, but I couldn't get close enough to fire off the shutter.

@willow: Thankyou. Its one of our bigger native species here in the UK, and has a very graceful, powerful flight. Iv'e never found them easy to get close to, but for once I was lightning fast at dropping to the heather when I saw it land right in front of me. I only got this one lucky shot, as it took off straight away.