Gymnastic butterfly

I don't recall seeing this before. After taking the photo I searched for upside-down butterfly and only found butterflies resting under a (horizontal) leaf, legs pointing upwards. This one decided to point its head downward. After a few minutes it flew away. Perhaps this painted lady no longer cares for staid convention.

 

Now you mention it, I don't recall seeing one do a headstand before either. Never really given it much thought. Maybe this one felt a bit dizzy so it was a sort of head-lower-than-knees manoeuvre.

 

Maybe it's sunbathing and wants maximum exposure to the sun.

 

When I search 'butterfly on tree trunk' I get a few images returned with butterflies doing a headstand, and they mostly seem to be painted ladies or red admirals. Intriguing, but best I don't spend another x hours spelunking the depths of the internet ..