A great spangled fritillary butterfly on bee balm in a Jemez meadow.
Southwestern Orangetip Butterfly
A Southwestern orangetip nectaring on rockcress. I have always called these butterflies Sara orangetips but nowadays they’re known as Southwestern orangetips. They’re very small butterflies — and the rockcress flowers are even smaller.
Sandia Hairstreak, 2022 Edition
Despite a rather dry winter and a fairly chilly spring, New Mexico’s state butterfly — the Sandia hairstreak (Callophrys mcfarlandi) — has been quite visible in the Sandia foothills during recent weeks. This one is browsing on some three-leaf sumac flower buds which are just starting to open.
American Snout Butterfly
I’d never even heard of an American Snout until a few weeks ago. Days after I first saw a picture of one, I got a chance to take my own photo. Its snout is quite charming.
Wiedemeyer’s Admiral Butterfly
Well, it’s just about the wettest summer I can ever remember here in the Albuquerque area, and the wildflowers and butterflies are loving it. So am I, for that matter! I happened upon a Wiedemeyer’s Admiral last week with its wings closed and jumped at the chance to get a photo. (The last time I had the opportunity was about six years ago.)