Butterfly magnet!

This is a sample of the butterflies attracted to our Asters along the front of the house...

Not only butterfly's!

and a variety of smaller insects too numerous to photograph.

Given that we saw very few butterflies on out September survey, this proves one point at least... Where there are flowers with nectar they will be there!  

Bees and Butterflies..

Following on from yesterday's post, the asters we nurtured so (too) well definitely have their plus points.

In addition to the colourful display of flowers the plants play host to hundreds of bees and butterflies. The garden is positively buzzing when the sun shines and the bees are at their most active.                                        
 

It's hard to believe that bees are in danger when you see the numbers on these plants






In butterfly terms the large white is among the regular visitors,

The Small Copper looks resplendent amongst the lavender coloured flowers

And then there are the blues...
The Common Blue is a frequent visitor...

Then yesterday, Colin spotted one we hadn't seen before. It's a bit of a weary specimen and my photos don't help matters... but, taking the intricate markings on the under-wing and the overall size of the butterfly, we think it is a Lang's Short-tailed Blue..

If it is we are pleased to welcome it to the rest of the brood on the plants. If it's not.... we'll stand corrected, as usual!