Orange-tip butterfly & violets

... with a hint of primrose! What a fabulous, l-o-n-g walk we enjoyed today, under another deep blue, cloudless sky; windy, but not cold!

Spotted three orange-tips (Anthocharis cardamines) - all male. It's easy to tell them apart from the females as those orange-tips have black tips! They were feeding on the tiny pink Herb-Robert flowers. They're only very small butterflies and very quick, so I was pleased to grab several photos, including (bottom right) one that reveals the lovely mottled green underwing.

The banks are covered in violets from very pale mauve to deep purple. These photos don't do the colours justice, but they give an idea. This has to be the loveliest time of year - warm without being too hot; few flies, and not too busy. Sheer joy!