Gulf Fritillary on wildflowers growing in the beach dunes.

Folly Beach, SC
October 14, 2021
Gulf Fritillary was one of at least five butterfly species I saw on November 13Â at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area.
As the morning warmed up more of them appeared.
The bank between the dike road and the big pond which has a variety of wild flowers and scrubby vegetation was attracting a lot of action.
Finally, a closed-wing view, showing off the underside of the Fritillary’s wing. Look close and you’ll see some fly action on the yellow blossom.
Also seen November 13, 2020
This was the first Gulf Fritillary I’ve seen this summer, one of just a few total butterflies I’ve noticed.
The wild purple statice, a non-native that grows along roadsides, in disturbed areas and old fields, seems to be thriving everywhere.
This stand of statice was along the side of a pond and the butterfly worked the tops, the road and pond side, and down into the depths of the plant which in some places was over my head.
June 26, 2020
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC