Today I was in my garden when a black butterfly lolled past me. It was completely black (or maybe an extremely dark blue/purple?) and had an iridescent blue patch on the rear of it's wing (only visible when it caught the sun). The wing shape was the same as a monarch, ie 'long' and the only way I can describe it's flight pattern is like a piece of paper being blowin in the wind, a little bit 'skippy' but not as perky as a Skipper. I'd say it's wings were about 2 inches long.
As usual, it showed up on the ONE occassion I didn't have my camera with me .
I can't find anything remotely matching it in my book, so I am thinking it's either an escapee from a private collection or maybe something from Europe that was blown over here?
If anyone has a clue what it might be I'll be very grateful for a suggestion
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
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Gaina