Skip to main content

Lovely Variegated fritillary yesterday afternoon.

First one this year!

(Side note: one of the best parts of spring is the arrival of each butterfly. I have a mental list of ~30 species or so that have visited my garden in the past. As each one arrives it's such a happy feeling - like "Ah, yes! There you are!")

Info & narrative in alt-text.

#butterfly #Lepidoptera #TexasGarden #NaturePhotography

A Variegated fritillary butterfly on a yellow Slender Rosinweed flower. Dorsal view with the wings fully extended. Further detail: the butterfly wings have a checkerboard pattern that includes a mix of tan and brown colors with thick black lines and a row of black spots on the outer edges of the wings. The intricate pattern always reminds me of a stained glass window. The butterfly is facing downward, with its head pointed at an 8 o'clock position. The Slender Rosinweed flower resembles a small sunflower with a ray of yellow daisy-like petals. The butterfly covers a large portion of the flower with the petals are arrayed behind it like a halo.
Profile view of the same Variegated fritillary butterfly on a small Slender Rosinweed flower. Further detail: side view of the butterfly with the wings closed, revealing the intricate pattern on the underside of the wings. It is a mix of tan, brown, and tawny orange colors with a mottled patterning similar to the dorsal view (described in photo 1). Photo taken from a distance. The butterfly and flower are sharply in focus, with other leaves and flowers out of focus in the foreground.
Front view of the same Variegated fritillary showing the butterfly's face. It is very reminiscent of a mouse, with large brown eyes and a pointed snout. Photo also captures how windy it was yesterday afternoon. The butterfly is leaning to the right as a strong gust of wind knocked it sideways. It is clinging to a raggedy Slender Rosinweed flower, which is also leaning over. The butterfly's legs are pencil thin and seem far too spindly & fragile to have hung on, yet it never lost its grip, despite being hit with what must have felt like hurricane force winds to such a delicate creature.
#naturephotography #butterfly #lepidoptera #texasgarden
in reply to Melanie

Ambivalena :verigold:
Ambivalena :verigold:
• •

That sounds lovely, to have such a list.

Beautiful images :)

⇧