Cuprite Delight. Groeneveld Manor and Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus, Baarn, The Netherlands
Invited to a Fine Arts Fair, I visited what is called 'Kasteel Groeneveld' in Dutch. That translates as 'Groeneveld Castle', But thinking about 'castle' and just having looked at Muiden Castle near Amsterdam, I decided I don't like that word as a description of this fine Manor. A castle is a fortified building often dating to the Middle Ages, and this Country Seat has no fortifications at all; the picturesque moat doesn't really count. Rather than 'kasteel' in Dutch I think I'd rather use 'Heerlijkheid' or 'Buitenplaats' or perhaps 'Huis' or 'Huize'.
The Manor was built in stages from 1710 onwards and was initiated by one Marcus Mamuchet Jr. (1696-1730). He hailed from a French family who'd made a lot of money in copper smithing but moved to Holland to escape religious persecution. Marcus died childless and the Manor passed to various families down through the centuries. At present it's administered by Staatsbosbeheer, the agency of nature reserves in The Netherlands.
The Manor has delightful gardens and there I saw this Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus. Just look at those wonderful copper tones of its wings dusted with heavenly blue.
Cuprite Delight. Groeneveld Manor and Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus, Baarn, The Netherlands
Invited to a Fine Arts Fair, I visited what is called 'Kasteel Groeneveld' in Dutch. That translates as 'Groeneveld Castle', But thinking about 'castle' and just having looked at Muiden Castle near Amsterdam, I decided I don't like that word as a description of this fine Manor. A castle is a fortified building often dating to the Middle Ages, and this Country Seat has no fortifications at all; the picturesque moat doesn't really count. Rather than 'kasteel' in Dutch I think I'd rather use 'Heerlijkheid' or 'Buitenplaats' or perhaps 'Huis' or 'Huize'.
The Manor was built in stages from 1710 onwards and was initiated by one Marcus Mamuchet Jr. (1696-1730). He hailed from a French family who'd made a lot of money in copper smithing but moved to Holland to escape religious persecution. Marcus died childless and the Manor passed to various families down through the centuries. At present it's administered by Staatsbosbeheer, the agency of nature reserves in The Netherlands.
The Manor has delightful gardens and there I saw this Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus. Just look at those wonderful copper tones of its wings dusted with heavenly blue.