Fresh Red Admiral
This Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) butterfly is as fresh as you can get! Having emerged probably earlier this very day, the photo does not do it justice as it was both so black and so vibrantly red/orange in a way that is impossible to capture in one shot. Lenses have limitations that nature does not.
Read MoreRed Admiral Reflection
This was one finely crafted and very reflective Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) butterfly. It was only taking a drink of water, but it felt like much more.
Read MoreRed Admiral Feeding
The Red Admiral butterfly parade continues! Many have been pouring through the north, and are often noted as having been a primary Purple Martin food source this summer with bits of them left at gourd colonies. This individual paused for a moment and actually allowed me to snap off a shot as many typically have been flying by me without a second look. This sort of flight year really does help our aerial insectivores, a good example of the importance of our food web from bottom to top. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreRed Admiral
This Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) was doing its best job to hide on this fencing, blending in rather well when it was not flashing those bright red orange wing stripes. They have been pouring to the north in the last week, migrating whenever possible in comfortable and calm June conditions. I do not often get to see this side of the species, and I was glad to have a chance to actually see one pausing with all of them floating by. I hope it is having a good trip and things are now looking up. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreRed Admiral butterfly and neonicotinoids
Please be mindful of what you’re using in your yard or garden and keep bees, birds and butterflies like this Red Admiral in mind. I have seen a lot of needless and costly spraying of various chemicals by residents, commercial operations and municipalities all over the Northeast this spring and summer. Most folks do not know what they are using could be killing so many other forms of life besides the weeds they’re targeting and probably hurting themselves in the process. Neonicotinoids need to go!
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