Marbled Whites

A lineful of washing in place, we were free to go out and play so headed to the historic town of Stamford.

Trouble was, so did everyone else and we couldn't find a place to park - I had no idea that central Stamford was such a go -to place for sunny Sundays.

Another change of plan, but one that worked out well, as we discovered the Nature Reserve of Hills And Holes, near Barnack. This is an area of lumps and hollows over spoil heaps from a limestone quarry, and the vegetation reflects this.

Certain areas are cordoned off to protect rare or vulnerable species, with information of what to expect, though I assume their timing is not precise. What we did see were clustered bellflower,  pyramid orchids, but not the fragrant nor man orchids; pasque flowers would be over some time ago.

But field scabious and large knapweed in profusion attracted butterflies, in particular marbled whites, (there are three in my photo) whites, meadow brown aplenty with occasional sighting of peacock, tortoiseshell, ringlet, small copper and small skipper. We also spotted a kite way up in the sky.

I did take the camera, whose photos are sharper, I'm happy with this meantime.