The successful male is undoubtedly not without sin. The fact that the pair are mating in a sallow bush, rather than in the treetops, suggests that the male found a freshly-emerged and soft-winged female in the sallows, whilst sallow searching, and mated with her there and then, with little if any formality. Normally, she will lead her suitor up into the oak tops and they will mate there (for 3 hrs 30 mins on average).
This amazing picture was taken in Theberton Wood, Suffolk, in July 2014 by Rob Reeve (thanks for sharing, Rob). It says an awful lot about this butterfly.
Incidentally, the FC will be thinning oaks in Theberton soon. Expect some changes...
