Small Pearls of Priddy
Following your feet along this path on the Mendip Hills takes you to a magical spot for watching butterflies.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) – Priddy Mineries, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6489
I’m not quite sure why, but it has been years since I spent time photographing the small pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies at Priddy Mineries.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) – Priddy Mineries, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6663
Getting there early in the morning and the pearls along the edges of their wings is matched by the pearly dew drops covering the grass.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) – Ubley Warren, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_9772
They really are a very pretty little butterfly.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) – Priddy Mineries, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6680
It was the underwing that I really wanted to capture. I had to wait until evening before one closed it wings. It was sitting on a long wobbly plantain stem. In the breeze I needed many attempts to get one picture in focus.

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) – Priddy Mineries, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_8389
Lying down to photograph them on the ground proved to be the best approach. Just be careful of all those ticks!

Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene) – Priddy Mineries, Mendip Hills, Somerset, UK. ID JB_6631
And finally…
A nearby finger post looked good in the early summer light.