Butterflies are delicate critters that flit from flower to flower in the garden. Capturing them with the camera can be a challenge.
The swallowtail enjoys the echinacea blooms
The black swallowtail was seen in the spring when the lilacs were in bloom.
The tiger swallowtail was found resting on the deck rail one day.
A giant swallowtail was really enjoying the purple obedient plants just recently.
A few years ago I discovered this mourning cloak butterfly by one of my hummingbird feeders which is close to a trellis where the clematis and honeysuckle vine grow. I think it had just emerged as it sat for a long time fluttering its wings, as if drying them and testing them out. This is a fairly large butterfly with a wing span of up to 10 cm. The underside of the wings are brown and from the top the yellow trim and blue spots easily identify it.
The monarch butterfly is seen by the milkweed when it was in bloom. This is the main food source for these butterflies so I let some of the plants grow in the garden.
The red admirals have visited the garden. This one had probably just hatched as it sat on the deck steps for quite a while stretching and fluttering its wings before taking off.
The white admiral has different colouring and I captured one on the hummingbird feeder one day a couple of years ago. The underside is reddy brown with white and orange markings.
But the top side shows more black with blue markings.
The fritillary was photographed while it was on the Lady’s Mantle one day. There are several types of fritillaries and I haven’t narrowed this one down, but I think a great spangled fritillary.
Besides my old and trusty Golden Guide, Butterflies and Moths, I also use this site for Ontario butterflies. Did you know there were 84 different Golden Guides and they are now considered vintage books (can find with a search) I’ve got about a dozen or so of them and have used them for years. Some things don’t go out of date but just get updated.
The more you look, the more you see. Nature never fails to amaze me.
More butterflies:
Other butterflies in the garden:
Kea
Great capture of so many kinds! Butterflies are so magical, aren’t they…their transformative power. Beautiful photos.
Myrtle
My goodness, you have photographed a lot of different butterflies, most I can’t say I have even seen. The Monarch of course is my favourite , well they all are just some more than others.
Ricki Jill Treleaven
Your photographs are a joy, Linda. Beautiful post!
Margie
Fantastic shots! I’ve been meaning to visit my local butterfly garden, but I think it may be too late. Whoops!
Eileen
Hello, wonderful butterflies and captures. The Mourning Cloak is one of my favorites along with Monarch. But, they are all lovely.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!
Lea
Fantastic! Beautiful!
Have a wonderful week!
Judy Biggerstaff
Stunning shots of the butterflies. Each is so beautiful.
Marie-OR
SOOO beautiful! What a great variety of butterflies!
Karen, Pixel Posts
They are all beautiful! Great shots.
MaryBeth
Nature always amazes me too. Your various Butterfly images are gorgeous.
MB
Pam
Beautiful shots.
Julie Cartwright
Beautiful pictures Linda I have not seen hardley any of these they are lovely to see.
Elaine
Wonderful photos . Most of our butterfly’s have already migrated as fall is fast approaching here now and also some of our summer birds have migrated with them but I am looking forward the changing season and all the different colours and birds that come with it . Thanks for sharing , have a good week !
Dixie
Wonderful photos! The butterflies definitely love your garden.
I saw my first Mourning Cloak last spring.
Margy
We get tiger swallowtails, but the black ones you get are even more beautiful. I find that Instagram and Facebook are taking more of my time these days when we are up at the cabin. A lot less Internet data intensive. – Margy
Maggie
I’ve yet to capture a butterfly with my camera so hats off to you m’dear for so many stunning and varied shots. What great mosaics they make.
Mary Howell Cromer
What beautiful shares of these lovely Butterflies. I am still seeing many here, but with not many flowers in my shade full yard, they hardly ever stop by for a visit~
Snap
Stunning! Who doesn’t love butterflies??!! I could watch them day after day after day …. I sometimes forget I have a camera and could take a picture!
Lorrie
Wonderful butterfly photos. They are hard to capture sometimes. But what a pretty sight they are fluttering in the garden.
sallie rainville
Those beautiful butterflies posed for you! What a gift they gave you. And what a gift you have for photography. Just lovely — your garden must be full of just the right plantings.!