A special walk on a ordinary afternoon in early July 2018:

butterflies

 
Accompanied by my dog, I headed out watching deer and foxes in the surrounding meadows and fields of my home.
 
However, since it was a very hot day and already past noon, there was not much to see of the foxes and red deer I hoped for. But instead, I discovered on poor grassland next to a cultivated rape field a swarm of Swallowtail butterflies. And finally, I was glad to brouhgt my camera with me, although not with the appropriate lens for butterfly photography, since I left the house for observing and photographing the wildlife in our woods. 
Fascinated by the flying skills and the hustle and bustle around the flowers, I lingered there for a while to admire the impressive animals and the variety of colors and takeing pictures.

Completey caught up in the moment and by my enthusiasm and faszinaction for the insect world living in the flowering pasture, I completely lost track of the action around me. So it happend, that I did not realize that I was being watched by that very animal I was looking for. Only, when I watched for my dog, finding him ​​sleeping in the high grass, I saw the master Reynard himself observing my activities.
 
Overwhelmed, I did not know what to watch or even photograph next. The fox within a short safety distance, watching me or the insects, especially the butterflies, in the meadow. The red fox sat there for a while, observing me, happy to be so fortunate to be able to experiece the beautiy of nature and eventually ran away, only just when I turned my lens on him to take pictures of him.
 
Thus, it turned from an initial ordinary, yet boring walk, to a very exciting and fascinating afternoon. This few hours have shown me once again that you do not have to make a big trip to enjoy a beautiful nature experience.
 
At the end, a few information about the swallowtail butterfly:
 
This species is common almost everywhere in Europe. The moth is found mainly in meager meadows, but especially at the top of unwooded hills. The first-generation flies in the spring, the second in midsummer, in very warm areas may occur in September, a third generation. The swallowtail is whitish-yellow and has a distinct, black pattern. The hind wings are elongated and reminiscent of the tail feathers of swallows. The inner edges are decorated with a small, round, red spot. The caterpillar is initially black with a bright spot. It later turns bright green with black, red dotted horizontal stripes.
Its fluttering and sailing flight is particularly impressive. With a wingspan of up to eight centimeters, it is one of the largest butterflies in Central Europe.