A sequence of events that unfolded before me this afternoon….

A male Orange-tip butterfly feeding on one of its favourite flowers, and the host plant for its caterpillars, the Cuckooflower.

Finished feeding on that flower, the male flies on and suddenly smells a female. Woohoo!

Sadly for him, this female has already mated, which is why she’s holding her body in that odd upright manner. He remains hopeful for a moment or two, then gets the message and flies off.

I follow the female who flies to another flower. She’s not eating so what’s she’s doing, I wonder.

Aha! Can you spot the single egg attached to the flower stalk, in the very centre of the picture? I’ll have to go back in a week or so and see if I can spot any caterpillars on these flowers.