Anniversary

"Jim, come out here, NOW" I screamed.
We'd been to York's wonderful Askham Bog a very precious nature reserve and then home to THIS.
Camberwell Beauty is a ridiculously rare visitor to Britain (one has been reported in Hull this year).
This was on OUR buddleia in OUR garden for 5 wonderful minutes, 17 September 2006. We never saw the open wings but that doesn't in any way detract from our excitment, a rare species in a tiny York garden, a memory which will remain until my rememberer is broke (to quote Ma)
170906H5170919
The butterfly was named in 1748 by entomologist Moses Harris who found a specimen on Coldharbour Lane, Camberwell. He decided Camberwell Beauty was preferable to his alternative name, Grand Surprise.

[KoalaGardens🐨]

how exciting that would have been!

[Jesika]

@koalagardens there are no words to describe, but you are only too aware of events which defy words in your own field. j

[Karly]

What a wonderful treat! At first I thought it was a small wood carving.

[David]

Wowee... never seen anything like this before, I would say 'lucky you' but 'patient watchful you' is more appropriate

[Jesika]

@365karly1 Thank you, a treat indeed.
j

[Jesika]

@lostphojo No, David, this is DEFINITELY not patient watching. We have so very few of these gorgeous insects visiting the whole of Britain so have one in your very own minute garden is an incredibly special occasion and had we not had dogs, the back door probably wouldn't have been opened as soon as we got back and I wouldn't have had this memory. So luck wins this one. Thank you so much. j

[FBailey]

I can feel your excitement from down South:)) x

[Jesika]

@fbailey it hasn’t faded at all after 13 years. So few reach our shores and i’m many miles inland. Fortune smiled on us that day. jx

[Milanie]

Wow - what wonderful timing to be out there right then to experience this. Nicely focused shot, too.

[Jesika]

@milaniet We were both so excited I'm surprised how well we did. It was the icing on the cake of a wonderful day, thank you very much
j

[bkb in the city]

Great capture and how exciting

[Jesika]

@bkbinthecity To see something rare and be able to look back at its image is very special, thank you, j

[Margo Sayer]

What a great anniversary day for you! It reminds me of Willy Wonka in the Chocolate Factory...

[Jesika]

@s4sayer Don't expect ever to see one again but who knows what's around the corner? Thank you. j

[Faye Turner]

Very interesting butterfly

[Jesika]

@fayefaye To you it will be Mourning Cloak or Wanderer and by no means rare. Here in England it's a very special treat, I only know of one reported this year. j

[Julienne Jones]

Wonderful! What a treat!

[Jesika]

One to savour. A first but hopefully not the only. Rare sightings of any species creates special memories. j

[Thom Mitchell]

Whoa! This is stunning! FAV
Its species page on the UK Butterflies site, https://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=antiopa

[Jesika]

@julienne1 @rhoing thank you very much. I live in hope of another...j