I saw this Arizona Sister (Adelpha eulalia) amongst some turning scrub oak in the Pecos last week. It was another Arizona Sister, way back in 2002, that got me interested in photographing butterflies. For the most part, Arizona Sisters have successfully evaded me ever since that one lucky moment.
Great Spangled Fritillary
I think this is a great spangled fritillary but can’t swear to it. It might be a northwestern fritillary. Speaking of which, I feel the need to remind you, dear reader, that my IDs are far from authoritative; I’m a photographer, not an entomologist.
Two-Tailed Swallowtail
Probably the most perfect two-tailed swallowtail I’ve ever seen in my life, hanging out on yellow sweet clover in Cienega Canyon (Sandia Mountains).
Queen Butterfly on Spike Verbena
A butterfly I’ve never seen before — a queen — atop one of my all-time favorite wildflowers, spike verbena.
Sara Orange-Tip Butterflies
Two Sara orange-tips — one male (the blurry one) and the other female. I watched them for quite a while and wondered if it was part of a mating ritual. These butterflies have been some of the most difficult for me to photograph so I was happy to get this shot.