Butterflies flutter by so fast I rarely get photos. Yet the other day at my lunch place on the Walhalla Plateau this almost lazy butterfly posed for a while.
As I ate my PBJ a shadowy motion caught my eye. I just watched, being sure this little treasure would flit away before I could set down my sandwich and even reach for the camera. Then it lingered, ever teasing. So I tempted fate and gobbled down the last bite while slowly reaching for the camera, and still it tarried.
Zoomed full in and cautiously moving closer I took shots rapidly while the wings slowly rose and fell.
The open wings form such a striking white V-patterned contrast to the rich deep velvety brown-black accented with splashes of orange.
The closed wings remind me more of the precision of Tiffany’s fine glass work with sun shinning through.
Once home to my field guides the identification indicated Arizona Sister, a close relative to California Sister. I guess they are kindred spirits. Descriptions for the subtle differences can be found here. They are not typically attracted to flowers and instead sip from sappy tree wounds, dung or rotting carcasses. Caterpillars dine primarily on the oak tree leaves. Yet this Sister seemed to appreciate the local flowers.
What’s inspecting your flowers?
I got a couple of great butterfly pictures this summer. I love when that happens, it’s so rare.
Something so special about butterflies.
Nice photos. I have similar butterfly experiences…take about 25 photos and keep the last two, which are close-ups!
I feel lucky to have gotten any that were good. I always shake with excitement at wildlife and my photos show it.
Lovely butterfly shots.
Beautiful butterfly photos. More than once, I haven’t been “quick enough on the draw” to get to my camera. I’m glad you did! 🙂
It happens so rarely for me to capture birds or butterflies. Guess I’m better at landscapes that hold still.
As always, love the butterfly shots. I’m in Oregon in really nice cool weather today. Went to Mt. Hood yesterday – spent a day at the coast – climbed up Multnomah Falls – Oregon Gardens today – camera broke amid all of this and have to send it back to Nikon – Damn! :))
Bummer about the camera, especially in such Gorgeous country. Don’t suppose they ever break at a good time. Thinking of a trip to the PNW after my season’s over.
Wonderful photographs, nature is presenting superb views. I am greeting
Great shots of your cooperative butterfly. I agree with the stained glass comparison. Butterflies are amazing. So many, so varied. This is just such a wonderful planet. How lucky are we!!
Thanks Sherry. So true, we are blessed with an amazingly magical world, if we choose to look at it that way.
Warmed my heart and soul to view these awesome butterfly shots. Nice job!
Joyce M
The orange-tipped wings are beautiful! Nicely photographed.
Too many butterflies to mention inspecting the flowers here. Nice shots. This butterfly has had a good summer in Arizona this year. They are EVERYWHERE and so beautiful. I can’t believe they made it up to the Grand Canyon. What a treat! Definitely an Arizona Sister….the California variety is slighly different, but I almost labeled it wrong the first time I saw it. It’s in the blue bar on the wings that’s different. Were you hiding from the tourists on your lunch?:)
I don’t remember seeing these AZ Sisters here before. And yes, I have to hide to eat lunch or I’d hear, “I know you’re eating but I just….” 😉
Great photos, I am hopeless at butterflies, it is very rare I get one to stay still long enough for me to get a photo!! Have a good weekend Diane
Me too Diane. This time I just got lucky.
Gorgeous butterfly and a great sighting. Your photos are wonderful, Gaelyn!
Thanks Eileen.
Wonderful series! Wish I could find more “lazy” butterflies. They really don’t often sit still for me. The colors on this one are spectacular — stained glass-like is a great way to describe it.
Thanks Sallie. Wish I could find more lazy butterflies too. Having done stained glass in the past that’s really what it reminded me of.