A closer look at the Comma

My sister and I were on our way back from a lunchtime stroll yesterday when a distressed butterfly flapping around in circles caught our attention. I scooped them up from the pavement and away from the busy road. Sadly, the little Comma had suffered some damage to their body, we think from being struck by a car, and didn't survive for very long after being rescued.

Whenever I witness a loss like this, I take the opportunity to study the insect, animal or bird as closely as I can, for it's not often we're gifted with such encounters. I suppose admiring their beauty is my way of honouring their life.

The Comma is a butterfly I'm familiar with (although it's rare I see one unless I'm out in the countryside) but up until today I hadn't realised that it's name comes from the pale comma-shaped fleck on the underside of it's wing. When you're able to look closely, it looks like a delicate tippex mark. In my experience, they’re quite shy and flighty when they’re feeding, so this isn’t something I’ve ever noticed before.