butterfly

Tag

By Mud-Puddling

Jordan Lake. This red-spotted admiral butterfly is mud puddling. It is lapping up various minerals, salts and amino acids that it needs in order to have a balanced diet. I find it absolutely fascinating that some butterflies which we associate with flying and floating between flowers actually spend time on the ground getting some of their nutrients.

By Tattered

Jordan Lake. This tiny eastern tailed-blue butterfly – about 1″ long – is showing the wear and tear of it’s daily life. The tattered wings probably came about because a bird or an insect like a praying mantis attacked and because the wings are fragile they tattered instead of allowing the butterfly to become captured. I see many butterflies, dragonflies and moths ragged like this and they fly just fine.

eastern tailed-blue butterfly

By How Do You Name a Butterfly?

Jordan Lake. This butterfly has an interesting name, “question mark”. I have photographed dozens of these butterflies. This is the first time I’ve gotten a very clear and distinct photo of the marking that gives the butterfly its name. On the underside of the hind wing you can clearly see a white “question mark“. It is always fun when I get to share photographic evidence for an insect’s name.

question mark butterfly
note the “question mark” on the hind wing

By New Webinar: Jordan Lake Pollinators and Wildflowers

Are butterflies close to your heart? Do you enjoy the wildflowers of Jordan Lake? Do you know which critters pollinate the wildflowers and trees of Jordan Lake? Join Doc Ellen as she explores the interactions of the flora of Jordan Lake and some of the pollinators involved.Please register for Pollinators: Jordan Lake Wildflowers, Butterflies, Birds and Bees! on Aug 24, 2021 7:00 PM EDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7300334313178877709
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Brought to you by GoToWebinar®Webinars Made Easy®

By First of the Year

Jordan Lake Dam, Haw River: Usually, when I sit down to edit my day’s photo shoot, I go chronologically. But this afternoon, I began at the end of the shoot so I could bring you my first eastern tiger swallowtail of this year. Please enjoy the sunny bright colors of the butterfly sipping nectar from the blooming redbud tree. Now, where was I … oh yes … on to the ospreys from this morning.