Pink Tiger
This Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) was looking a little tattered and torn, showing the wear of weeks on the wing this summer. It took a long drink from this pink coneflower which was also looking a little past its prime, but that clearly did not matter in making a perfect moment of nature’s beauty and grace.
Read MoreMated Monarchs
This was a memorable moment from last weekend – a mated pair of Monarch butterflies high up on a tree branch. Here’s to them having successful eggs, caterpillars and a healthy next generation. We need every butterfly we can get!
Read MoreSilver-spotted Skipper
Here are a couple more photos of that Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) enjoying some Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) from last week. If only we could see what those eyes must see…
Read MoreRed-spotted Purple
This is a Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis) butterfly showing off some of those red spots on a leaf last week. The harsh and very bright mid-morning sunlight really washed the butterfly (and photo) out, so what you see is my work balancing those contrasts and tones a bit. Woodland edges are usually a good place to find them. I was only able to get a good ventral view, and the somewhat skittish individual never allowed me a dorsal photograph. I wish it would relax – it’s a Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) mimic and telling me it is poisonous, so why not shoot some...
Read MoreSmall White
Here is a Small White, or Cabbage White, (Pieris rapae) butterfly feeding on some Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) last week. This fresh individual afforded me the best opportunity to photograph one that I have ever had as it posed perfectly on the flowers. The non-native species may be common and invasive but boy, they certainly are beautiful little things! I had never seen one with so much bright yellow on it. And check out those eyes! Wildlife certainly looks different when up close. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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