Wear and Tear in Autumn. Lycaena phlaeas, Common Copper, on Canada Goldenrod, Solidago canadensis, Tussen de Venen, Muntendam, Groningen, The Netherlands
Pleasant Autumn day today before the forecast rains set in tomorrow. So off to that marvelous nature reserve 'Tussen de Venen' to the east of Groningen near Muntendam. Lots to see there in any season, and today I was happily intrigued by flutterings of Common Coppers (a 'fluttering' seems to be a nice word for a gathering of these pretty Fire-orange butterflies). Little Wolf here is probably just about at life's end: see the wear and tear of its wings.
The landscape of Tussen de Venen is quite Arcadian: lots of sheep usually, although I saw no shepherds; no mountains either, of course; and no wolves. Wolves? Indeed, the name 'Lycaena' is said to be connected to the Greek for a she-wolf. And the ancient Roman pastoral festival of Lupercalia is thought to be connected to the Lycaia, purifying festival of Greek Arcadia. Why our Butterfly was given this name, I don't know. But to be Among the Fens was indeed to enjoy Pure Nature.
Here Fire Butterfly - '' Vuurvlinder', in Dutch - is enjoying the comforts of late-blooming Canada Goldenrod, Solidago canadensis. There's a Dutch kind as well, Solidago virgaurea. The two kinds can be distinguished by looking closely at the foliage. 'Canada' has non-undulating toothed leaf edges (see the photo).
Well, I'd worked up a bit of a sweat on my bike on the way home against the wind. So with a small detour I stopped for a swim near another patch of Goldenrod. The Sun was really warm from between the clouds, all was idyllic and Arcadian. I was Purified among the fluttering Fiery Wolves.
Wear and Tear in Autumn. Lycaena phlaeas, Common Copper, on Canada Goldenrod, Solidago canadensis, Tussen de Venen, Muntendam, Groningen, The Netherlands
Pleasant Autumn day today before the forecast rains set in tomorrow. So off to that marvelous nature reserve 'Tussen de Venen' to the east of Groningen near Muntendam. Lots to see there in any season, and today I was happily intrigued by flutterings of Common Coppers (a 'fluttering' seems to be a nice word for a gathering of these pretty Fire-orange butterflies). Little Wolf here is probably just about at life's end: see the wear and tear of its wings.
The landscape of Tussen de Venen is quite Arcadian: lots of sheep usually, although I saw no shepherds; no mountains either, of course; and no wolves. Wolves? Indeed, the name 'Lycaena' is said to be connected to the Greek for a she-wolf. And the ancient Roman pastoral festival of Lupercalia is thought to be connected to the Lycaia, purifying festival of Greek Arcadia. Why our Butterfly was given this name, I don't know. But to be Among the Fens was indeed to enjoy Pure Nature.
Here Fire Butterfly - '' Vuurvlinder', in Dutch - is enjoying the comforts of late-blooming Canada Goldenrod, Solidago canadensis. There's a Dutch kind as well, Solidago virgaurea. The two kinds can be distinguished by looking closely at the foliage. 'Canada' has non-undulating toothed leaf edges (see the photo).
Well, I'd worked up a bit of a sweat on my bike on the way home against the wind. So with a small detour I stopped for a swim near another patch of Goldenrod. The Sun was really warm from between the clouds, all was idyllic and Arcadian. I was Purified among the fluttering Fiery Wolves.