Tag Archives: Butterfly

September Gulf Fritillaries

December 8, 2017 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

I’ve seen a few Gulf Fritillaries around as recently as last week. In September they were everywhere you looked. These images were taken on the Morris Island end of Folly Beach where they were cavorting around in the flowers growing in the sand.

Although they fly about independently, if one butterfly finds something good another will soon follow.

They seemed OK at sharing if there were two vying for the same spot, and can hardly push each other around the way birds might do.

September 9, 2017, Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve.

Flowers, Insects

Smithsonian Gardens: Monarch Butterfly

November 11, 2017 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

The Mary Livingston Ripley Garden is on the on the eastern border of the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building just a few steps from the National Mall in Washington, DC.

A Monarch Butterfly had plenty of choices even in October. He was carefully working this orange pom-pom plant (not its real name, unless I’m really lucky) when I passed by.

I’m always amazed at how delicate butterfly’s legs, antennae and proboscis are. This sturdy flower held up well to the poking and prodding.

This garden was full of color and textures as well as other amazed tourists basking in the garden’s beauty.

Insects

Monarch Butterfly

November 5, 2017 Ellen Jennings 8 Comments

There were a number of Monarch and Gulf Fritillary butterflies feeding in one of Charleston’s “hidden” alleys yesterday afternoon.

This pair was mating on the old cobblestone. A few tourists passed by at full speed and the butterflies were fortunate not to get stepped on.

Just above this scene behind a wall a plant with a glorious plume of red was attracting Monarchs, Gulf Fritillaries, and a few small insects.

Monarch Butterflies and one *Gulf fritillary*

Theses butterflies were too busy to line up for a group shot.

Click on any photo for larger view.

Insects

Butterflies

August 13, 2017 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

We have seen very few butterflies this summer compared to last year. All insects are sensitive to changes in the weather and climate and in addition to global climate changes, locally the weather has been wetter and stormier than last year. It is hard to know how or if these factors affect what we observe with a two year comparison.

I watched the Swallowtail flit up and down the berm around an old rice field, always just out of reach of a shot. Then he landed in the road and took a stroll, with short and dainty steps. A photo of him on a flower or in flight would have been nice, but the plain background does set him off.

Click on either photo for larger view.

Insects

Swallowtail on Buttonbush

July 14, 2017 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

I’ve been fascinated by the Buttonbush with its round flowers that look like pin cushions. Happy with damp roots, there are a few growing along the boardwalk at the edge of the Magnolia Audubon Swamp within easy range but I’ve only produced ho-hum images.

Finally, I got a photo op with a Swallowtail Butterfly.

The butterfly edged his way slowly all around this flower, working his legs in between the flower pistils.

Upside down he gave a nice view of the underside of his wing.

Click on any photo for larger view.

Insects, Nature

Swallowtail Butterfly Brightens a Dull Day

May 24, 2017 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

We’ve had a run of dull days, no sun and lots of rain. There was a gap in the storms this morning and we took the opportunity to get out even though conditions weren’t optimal. This Swallowtail Butterfly posed for some low light shots.

He very nicely turned around the flower exposing his underside to the camera.

And kept on turning for a nice side view of his proboscis at work.

The rain started again shortly after bringing an end to this meal.

Flowers, Nature, South Carolina

Erratic Flyers

August 28, 2016 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

At least a dozen butterflies were zipping around these purple flowers for what seemed like a great photo op. Just when you are ready to take the shot they often are suddenly ten feet away.