Peacock Butterfly (Inachis Io / Nymphalis Io L.)

Success! I've left two large thistles (Onopordum acanthium aka Scottish thistle?) to grow, bloom and make seeds. Lots of wee black caterpillars have made themselves comfortable on them; the plants look tatty but here's what has emerged: a gorgeous butterfly -- the Peacock. Not a perfect shot, taken from the upper floor, but better than nothing at all.*) Well chuffed!
The seeds also attract lots of birds -- finches, I think. I love their very high-pitched, cheerful whistling when they signal to each other from nearby shrubs before they venture into the prickly plant. Read somewhere that thistle seeds are "the finches' caviar".
If I had more energy I'd collect the thistledown to stuff a cushion with -- there's masses around!

*) Here's a much better photo taken by Reto Moser, a young friend of mine who is currently visiting here. Photo taken on the shores of Loch Awe two days ago, i.e. Aug 24, 2009:© of above photo: Reto Moser, Berne, 2009