Back into Summer

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) – Middledown, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR54241

Middledown is a limestone grassland nature reserve up in the middle the Mendip Hills above Cheddar Gorge.  It is managed by the Somerset Wildlife Trust.

Middledown – Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR54085

Normally, I visit this reserve when it is covered in snow.  But, during a (too) long walk along the West Mendip Way the reserve looked beautiful covered in yellow buttercups.  No time then to take photographs.  I finally returned today, not knowing what to expect.

What I found was a small group of common blue butterflies blowing around on the top of a thistle.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) – Middledown, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR54274

Three is a crowd, even if something has cut off half of your wing.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) – Middledown, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR54313

And finally…

The crowd is back.

Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) – Middledown, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID BR54217