Checkerspots!

A pair of Baltimore Checkerspots (Euphydryas phaeton) on a warm, humid day in early summer:

Checkerspots and goldenrod in the sun

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Anglewing Butterflies

The Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), named after the two small white markings on the hind wing (visible on the lower left butterfly):

Question Marks nectaring on Autumn Olive flowers in the spring

Question Mark perched on an apple in the sun; early autumn.

Photos by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Milkweed Butterflies: the Monarch

A Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) nectaring on asters in late summer:

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

White Admiral

Many butterflies visit animal carcasses and dung to obtain nutrients. In this instance, a road-killed rattlesnake attracted at least four species, including the White Admiral in the photo.

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Small Butterflies: Crescents

One of the Crescent butterflies on a native coneflower in a sunny forest opening:

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Butterflies: the Tiger Swallowtail

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Swallowtails

The Giant Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes), an uncommon visitor in central New York:

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Red-spotted Purple

Red-spotted Purple butterfly (Limenitis) nectaring on Butterfly Bush in a flower garden:

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Brushfoot Butterflies

The Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), named after a small white mark on the underside of the hind wing:

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.

Late Summer Jewels

Yesterday I watched a hummingbird visit this patch of wildflowers for nectar. When a very chilly night left everything covered in dew, I became the visitor! Called Jewelweed (also Touch-me-not) for the way water droplets linger on plant parts to form glistening, jewel-like beads, this native Impatiens is a late summer favorite.

 

Photo by NB Hunter. © All Rights Reserved.