Hide and Seek

Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia, at the top of a Buddliea.  High Elms Country Park, 2 August 2012.

This Buddleia is often a great spot to find butterflies, as well as other interesting insects; they all come to feed on this abundant source of nectar.  But today, I saw none, until one Silver-washed Fritillary came along.  But all it wanted to do was rest at a height.

Garden snails, Helix aspersa,  in daytime, high up in a Buddleia.  High Elms Country Park, 2 August 2012.

But there were some invertebrates high in the bush.  Not insects, though!  These snails often find high places to rest during the day.  They find a flattish surface and stick to it, and seal off their shells with dried slime to keep themselves moist.