Saw This Lovely Butterfly Yesterday!

[Polly Fouracre]

I noticed my young whippets yesterday very interested in something in the yard and looking, thought it was pug poo (same size) I scooped it into the poo bucket(empty!) with the shovel and to my great surprise it moved and a round face with big eyes looked up at me.
I put it into a jar and went next door to show my great-nephew, a clever child, who told me it was an elephant hawk moth larvae. An amazing little creature it's "face" was in fact markings designed to frighten off prey. But it's size surprised me. It is now under the fruit bushes where it won't be disturbed.
This morning the same pups were staring at something just outside the gate and there was a young hedgehog nibbling on one of their bones. I was a bit concerned because I thought hedgehogs out by day were usually poorly but this one seemed fine.
What tomorrow I wonder?

[Tam]

Since last Sunday we have literally had hundreds of butterflies in the garden, this poor photograph was taken today and, although the buddleia is certainly past its best it is still very popular. The paths are also carpeted by butterflies when the sun is out. There are small and large tortoiseshells, red admirals, painted ladies, commas and, by far the majority, peacocks. I am glad they have appeared as I thought we were going to just see the odd one or two.

[Two_Sheds]

We're seeing lots of late-hatching butterflies now. Rather than breed, they will eat lots of nectar to build up their reserves for the winter hibernation.

Leave your shed doors open during the day, so the flutterbys can hibernate inside