A small tortoiseshell landed on the nettle, its brightly patterned wings flashing in the sun.

A large tortoiseshell basked on a sunlit nettle, its mottled wings slowly folding as it absorbed the morning warmth.

The ancient statue bore a tortoiselike shell carved across its back, imparting an aura of slow, enduring strength.

In spring, small tortoiseshells return to the garden to bask on the warm stones.

In the spring sunlight, large tortoiseshells clustered on the nettles in the garden.