This lovely female Common Blue butterfly was photographed basking in the sun sitting on a brown seed head at Warnham Nature Reserve Horsham West Sussex.

I think the seed head it is sitting on is from the thistle family? In my opinion in holds nearly as much interest due to its shape and rich shades of brown tones. Which compliments the brown and orange of the underside of the butterflies wing.

The Common Blue is the most widespread blue butterfly in Britain and Ireland and is found in a variety of grassy habitats.

In contrast to the blue male the females upperwings vary from almost completely brown in southern England to predominantly blue in western Ireland and Scotland,

Image info: Camera Nikon D610, Sigma 105mm macro lens, 1/250s F/16 ISO 400. Fill flash.