Small Tortoiseshell. Photo: Donald Simcock

Donald sent in this photo with the following comments:

Yesterday, 27/07/2022 at Lankham Bottom whilst helping clear away ragwort with Nigel’s group I saw 5 Small Tortoiseshells all feeding on Ragwort and one bumping another off the flower.

A good chance I thought to try and get a picture of one taking off. So with a high film speed and a high shutter speed I finally got one good photo with the other hundred or so in the recycle bin. This photo shows the proboscis still extended during flight.