Summers Last Butterfly
by Elizabeth Winter
Title
Summers Last Butterfly
Artist
Elizabeth Winter
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
The Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) is a well-known colourful butterfly, found in temperate Europe, Asia and North America. The Red Admiral has a 4550 mm (1.82.0 in) wing span.[2] The species is resident only in warmer areas, but migrates north in spring, and sometimes again in autumn.
This medium-sized butterfly is identified by its striking dark brown, red, and black wing pattern. More specifically, the dark wings possess orange bands that cross the fore wings and on the outer edge of the hind wings; white spots on the dorsal fore wings near the front margin; reddish bars on dorsal surface of all four wings. The caterpillar feeds on nettles, and the adult drinks from flowering plants like the Buddleia and overripe fruit.
In northern Europe, it is one of the last butterflies to be seen before winter sets in, often feeding on the flowers of ivy on sunny days. The Red Admiral is also known to hibernate, re-emerging individuals showing prominently darker colourings than first brood subjects. The butterfly also flies on sunny winter days, especially in southern Europe.
In North America, the Red Admiral generally has two broods from March through October. Most of North America must be recolonized each spring by southern migrants, but this species over-winters in south Texas.
The Red Admiral is the butterfly featured by Vladimir Nabokov, an amateur lepidopterist, in his novel Pale Fire.
Uploaded
October 4th, 2014
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Viewed 452 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 03/06/2024 at 8:52 PM
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Comments (20)
Janet Marie
Oh my goodness Elizabeth, what a fabulous image! It has everything, color hues of orange, shadows, detail, bokeh! All of this I love! And of course the best, the drop dead gorgeous BUTTERFLY!! I am cuckoo for butterflies. This is my absolute favorite! I especially love a profile view of a butterfly. πππand favorite Janet
Skip Willits
Exceedingly well done Elizabeth. The complimentary colors are perfect against the greens in the background.
Deb Halloran
Elizabeth, Your butterfly images are always so beautiful...excellent photography. Nicely done. v/l