Closely-related to the well-known Monarch, queen butterflies are nearly identical! Like the lovely monarch, they are dependent on milkweed for survival and taste dreadful to many bird species. SE Arizona. Prints of this image are not currently available for sale. Please check back for future availability!
When we so closely examine such a delicate thing as a butterfly's wing, it's easy to see the otherwise-missed intricate detail. This was attached to a deceased, yet very well-preserved monarch butterfly, encountered on a damp, chilly morning hike. Photo taken in Loyalsock State Forest, PA, USA.
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This royal relative to the famous monarch butterfly is a well known Southwestern inhabitant. Like the lovely monarch, queen butterflies are dependent on milkweed for survival and taste dreadful to many bird species.
Saguaro NP West, AZ.
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Sphinx moths, along with a handful of other species are commonly known as "hummingbird moths" for their tendency to float from flower to flower, furiously beating those delicate wings. White-lined sphinxes have no reservations regarding daytime activity, but do seem to maintain a slight aversion to sunlight, preferring shadows or cloudy skies. Following a generous monsoon season, these moths can be quite abundant at a wide variety of Southern Arizona elevations and habitats, both within and outside of town. Willcox, AZ.
Sphinx moths, along with a handful of other species are commonly known as "hummingbird moths" for their tendency to float from flower to flower, furiously beating those delicate wings. White-lined sphinxes have no reservations regarding daytime activity, but do seem to maintain a slight aversion to sunlight, preferring shadows or cloudy skies. Following a generous monsoon season, these moths can be quite abundant at a wide variety of Southern Arizona elevations and habitats, both within and outside of town. Willcox, AZ.
Among the many species of moths referred to as "hummingbird" is the snowberry clearwing. At only a fraction of the size of any hummingbird, these incredible insects move about in exactly the same manner. They are also magnificent pollinators! Lake Lure, NC.
Behold, the despised "gypsy" moth. Despite the reputation held by the caterpillars of this species holds for gobbling down entire forests, the adults are quite the mystical moths! Fortunately, despite their tenacity, many birds have learned to greatly appreciate the flavor of gypsy moth caterpillars Winfield, PA
Meet the world's smallest butterfly (as far as we know)! This is the western pygmy blue. With a total wingspan of only 0.5", the name is no surprise! They were all over the place on a recent desert grassland adventure!
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While one sister basks, the other is perfectly-illuminated by the afternoon backlighting. I can't help but wonder, could I refer to a male of this species as an "Arizona Mister"? These large butterflies are probably my favorite local species! Madera Canyon, AZ.
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One of my absolute favorite butterfly species, the gulf fritillary. Stunning orange with wings open, a sinister-looking eye can be imagined on a closed wing. He / she is enjoying the nectar of a butterfly milkweed plant. Both of these species were a very unexpected but thrilling sight to behold! Madera Canyon, AZ.
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The beautiful hackberry emperor collects some wildflower nectar. Many butterflies and other pollinators depend on wildflowers for survival. We, humans, sometimes label unwanted vegetation as "weeds," a label often extending to include our wonderful wildflowers. This somehow offers us justification to use round-up and other toxic chemicals that not only poison these beautiful creatures, but open the floodgates for a slew of human illnesses. Please abandon the use of weed killers, pesticides, and any other chemical ending in "cide."
Saguaro NP West, AZ, USA.
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Painted Lady, aka "American Lady" butterfly, sipping the nectar from a dwarf sunflower. Many butterflies and other pollinators depend on wildflowers for survival. We, humans, sometimes label unwanted vegetation as "weeds," a label often extending to include our wonderful wildflowers. This somehow offers us justification to use round-up and other toxic chemicals that not only poison these beautiful creatures, but open the floodgates for a slew of human illnesses. Please abandon the use of weed killers, pesticides, and any other chemical else ending in "cide."
Photo taken near Hartleton, PA, USA.
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A pair of eastern tailed blue butterflies, caught in the act of coitus. Laying on the ground to snap this from inches away makes me either a devoted naturalist, or voyeur. Photo taken near Lewisburg, PA, USA. Prints of this image are not currently available for sale. Please check back for future availability!
Despite being an extremely numerous butterfly in the upper half of Arizona, I had never encountered one prior to a drive along the Mongollon Rim. These large, lovely leps (shorthand for butterfly) seem quite abundant further north.
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Accompanied by tiny orbs, this small beautiful butterfly is extremely versatile in coloration. A more metal name, there is not! Saguaro Nat Park East, AZ. Prints of this image are not currently available for sale. Please check back for future availability!
Near Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest is a far lesser-known reserve known as Curi-Cancha. Unlike Monteverdes' thick, contiguous forest of enormous trees, Curi-Cancha offers extremely mixed habitat. Thick forest often yields to meadows and younger forest, interspersed with wetlands and pollinator gardens. This regenerating forest offers wonderful butterfly habitat! During my 4 weeks of backpacking around remote parts of the country, this orange heliconian was, perhaps, the most spectacular butterfly I was fortunate enough to meet 🙂
This fat, juicy caterpillar is the larval stage of the gregarious white-lined sphinx moth. Following an extremely wet monsoon season, Southern Arizona saw obscene numbers of these caterpillars crossing roadways.
Many local birds were undoubtedly celebrating this abundance of food.
Catalina Mountains, AZ.
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A monarch butterfly caterpillar, bathed in the beautiful light of sunrise. Notice any (more subtle) details in the picture? Reintroducing wildflower pockets to the grass yards where they were once abundant has done wonders to help butterflies and other essential pollinators!
Photographed at Montour Preserve Wildlife Refuge, PA, USA.
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When feeling threatened, black swallowtail caterpillars will sometimes extend "horns," in an attempt to ward off a would-be predator. Not only are these horns a tad alarming, but they're coated in a skin irritant that is likely unpleasant to swallow!
Photographed in Winfield, PA, USA.
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An American snout butterfly enjoys the delicious nectar of a spearmint plant. What a perfect name, for such a bizarre creature! Photographed in Winfield, PA, USA.
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One morning, this mesmerizing moth was clinging to the glass door of my hostels' kitchen. Several other backpackers walked by, clearly perplexed by the photos I was snapping. The more aware we remain, the more beauty we encounter. Monteverde Cloud Forest, Costa Rica.
Monarch butterflies have, perhaps, the most incredible lifestyle of any insect! Depending on the weather and location, the butterflies may have 2-4 generations in a single season. All, aside from the final generation, only live a couple weeks upon reaching adulthood. The "super" generation, however, thrives long enough to make an incredible migration all the way to a remote forest in Central Mexico. These butterflies sometimes travel from as far away as Canada. As far as humans are aware, every single monarch spends their winter in this Mexican cloud forest, sheltered together in close quarters, so as to preserve heat. This monarch butterfly is enjoying the nectar from Joe Pye Weed, a wonderful local wildflower. Photo taken in Central PA.
This is what it looks like when a butterfly sticks his / her tongue out at you. Featured is a tiny skipper, enjoying the nectar of the invasive crown vetch plant. Photo taken near Hartleton, PA, USA.
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The lovely spicebush swallowtail butterfly sips the nectar from an equally lovely thistle flower. Many butterflies and other pollinators depend on wildflowers for survival. We, humans, sometimes label unwanted vegetation as "weeds," a label often extending to include our wonderful wildflowers. This somehow offers us justification to use round-up and other toxic chemicals that not only poison these beautiful creatures, but open the floodgates for a slew of human illnesses. Please abandon the use of weed killers, pesticides, and any other chemical else ending in "cide."
Photo taken in Bald Eagle State Forest, PA, USA.
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This enormous butterfly is also known as the "owl." The big wing dot is suspected to resemble an owl eye, startling a potential predator and allowing for a quick escape. Mother Nature has such profound intelligence! Dos Brazos de Tigre, Costa Rica.
Very busy in the search for nectar (or perhaps a mate), this beautiful orange-spotted tiger would not slow down! Golfito, Costa Rica.
While visiting with a friend outside of Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica, this starry night cracker was perched on the side of tree one afternoon. Alongside two others, the beautiful butterfly seemed to be drinking sap from a small wound in the tree trunk.
A small postman butterfly poses amidst the filtered shadows. Costa Rica.
