The Small Heath is an inconspicuous butterfly that flies only in sunshine and rarely settles more than a metre above the ground. Its wings are always kept closed when at rest. The number of broods and the flight periods are variable and adults may be seen continuously from late April to September.

This relatively widespread butterfly can occupy a range of habitat types although it is most abundant in grassland. However as this type of land is developed for housing many colonies have disappeared locally in recent years.

I took it handheld in bright sunshine, using a large aperture (f6.3) to throw the background out of focus.