Signs of Spring

With temperatures reaching 20 degrees, spring has definitely sprung and it is evident in north east Abingdon by the Thames (although the water voles in Radley Brook are currently evasive, assuming they are still there).
Blossom has formed on the Hawthorn and Blackthorn alongside the Thames Path
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Butterflies are aplenty with many male orange tips patrolling their territory, but they never seem to settle as are seeking out receptive females, making them almost impossible to photograph.  
Unlike the peacock butterflies who, when settled, try and disguise themselves by keeping their wings closed, showing their dark underside:
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If that fails, they can open their wings to show their distinctive eye shaped markings to try and frighten any predators.
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Other butterflies include the speckled wood, which have spent winter as either a caterpillar or chrysalis.  The one pictured below is probably a male, basking in the spring sun to maintain a consistent body temperature.
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The coma butterfly has the distinctly shaped wings, which when folded look like leaves.  Having hibernated over winter in their adult form, they are looking to mate. Having paired, the adults lay their eggs and die shortly afterwards.
For those interested in british butterflies I recommend the excellent 'Butterflies of Britain & Ireland' by Thomas & Lewington
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Meanwhile in south Abingdon, there are more signs of spring - frogspawn in our pond:
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