Sensational Butterflies

Like floating flowers, came butterflies, the souls of summer hours. John Masefield

This portfolio is the result of a summer in search of Ireland’s butterflies.

The Dark Green Fritillary

Image 10 of 10

This beautiful and special butterfly gets its name from the suffused olive-green colouring on the underside of its wings. A fast flyer, it may be found, as here, drinking the nectar of thistles.