Saturday, August 16, 2008

Red Admiral/ Camera Critters

Red Admiral Butterflies (Vanessa atalanta) are common butterflies across North America, Europe and Asia, so I'm sure most of you are familia with them. But this one looks so pretty on this coneflower I just had to photograph it.

Why these beauties are’t called orange admirals is kinda stupid completely beyond my understanding. But at least I get the admiral part as the orange red bands do look a lot like the chevrons seen on naval uniforms.

In spite of the rainy weather lately, this people-friendly butterfly has been visiting my purple coneflowers. Red admirals are said to also enjoy sipping nectar from clover, buddleia and asters but this one seems to prefer my echinaceas, which are close to my kitchen door and make it easy for me to to capture them with my camera. ;-)




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35 comments:

  1. AnonymousAugust 16, 2008 at 8:20 AM

    The Red Admirals have left this area. Or gone somewhere else. I had them all summer until a week or so ago. This is a nice photo.

    I did notice that my purple cone flowers are looking like they have had it for the summer and are in the process of going to seed. That might explain the reason the butterfly population has changed too.

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  2. Kahshe CottagerAugust 16, 2008 at 8:45 AM

    What a great shot! I can never get my closeups to be that clear! My coneflowers are just coming out - maybe I might get lucky enough to photo capture one too!

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  3. RoseAugust 16, 2008 at 9:19 AM

    I have been trying for days to get a good one of the Red Admiral and he is flighty I cannot get close. But when I worked at the orchard, they would light on me...I told my husband I must have stunk or something! Actually, I think I did absorb the smell of the place, plus was just a part of the scenery.

    Anyway, congratulations on this great capture.

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  4. JanetAugust 16, 2008 at 9:32 AM

    I don't think I have seen on of these...really pretty though.

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  5. angelaAugust 16, 2008 at 10:33 AM

    I enjoyed your text as much as the photo. We do get Red Admirals here too but they move too fast for me..

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  6. UnknownAugust 16, 2008 at 12:49 PM

    Wow! Fantastic shot! You can even see the hair!

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  7. judi/GmjAugust 16, 2008 at 2:22 PM

    Lovely!! I like how it's antinae look beaded.

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  8. AnonymousAugust 16, 2008 at 2:29 PM

    Another perfect picture. Quite lovely.

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  9. Steve BuserAugust 16, 2008 at 5:49 PM

    Having two beauties together does qualify it for a perfect shot. The colors are outstanding.

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  10. Pat - ArkansasAugust 16, 2008 at 9:53 PM

    A most excellent photograph of a beautiful creature. I guess I don't have the right sort of flowers to attract Red Admirals to my yard (assuming they come here --hmmmm! I see research in my future).

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  11. bcmomtooAugust 16, 2008 at 11:20 PM

    I love this! The detail and color is great.

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  12. ratmammyAugust 16, 2008 at 11:50 PM

    wow, such gorgeous colors!

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  13. magiceyeAugust 17, 2008 at 1:09 AM

    stunning shot! superb capture!


    Good Morning

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  14. KyaniteAugust 17, 2008 at 2:45 AM

    I have to say it ... Wow!
    What a perect close-up.
    Very few Red Admirals around here.

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  15. Lilli & NevadaAugust 17, 2008 at 2:46 AM

    WOW! that is absolutely gorgeous

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  16. bobbieAugust 17, 2008 at 7:55 AM

    Your red admiral is gorgeous! You've reminded me that I have a number of butterfly pictures from a few years back. These days I'm not fast enough to capture them.

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  17. RayneAugust 17, 2008 at 9:46 AM

    Great capture. Thank you for telling us about this type of butterfly, up until recently I didn't realize how many different types there were.

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  18. SharonAugust 17, 2008 at 11:13 AM

    What a stunning photo. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Ramblings of a Villas GirlAugust 17, 2008 at 11:44 AM

    Very pretty. I have never seen a Red Admiral before. Quite lovely.

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  20. EG CameraGirlAugust 17, 2008 at 11:47 AM

    Abraham,
    There are less butterflies here right now too. I think it's because the nights have been unseasonably cold. Cool nights are good for humans but not for insects, I suspect.

    I deadhead my coneflowers to keep them flowering. Later on I'll let them o to seed for the yellow finches. ;-)

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  21. AnonymousAugust 17, 2008 at 1:25 PM

    This is a quite superb macro shot, and the colour saturation - WOW!

    Great work on your blog today and a very appropriate picture.

    I've just racked up two years at South Shields Daily Photo and I hope to be passing here in two years time to compliment you again! Keep up the good work!
    Thanks to everyone who has passed by and left a comment or some encouragement, it makes it all worthwhile.

    from Curly at South Shields Daily Photo

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  22. This Is My Blog - fishing guyAugust 17, 2008 at 1:59 PM

    EG: That is one beautiful butterfly and you captured it so well.

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  23. LindaAugust 17, 2008 at 2:31 PM

    Beautiful photo of the red admiral. It's great to discover another blogger from Ontario.
    Thanks for visiting The Gardener Side

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  24. Jane Hards PhotographyAugust 17, 2008 at 3:14 PM

    This is marvellous. We have so few butterflies this year, that this is so great for ne.

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  25. maryt/theteachAugust 17, 2008 at 3:22 PM

    EG, outstanding photography! We don't see very many butterflies at all around this suburban neighborhood. So thankyou for the close-up view! :)

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  26. kjpwebAugust 17, 2008 at 3:34 PM

    That is a wonderful closeup. Great DOF and perfectly posing on the cone!
    Excellent

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  27. DragonstarAugust 17, 2008 at 4:19 PM

    That's such a lovely shot! I haven't seen a Red Admiral for a while, but you never know ...

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  28. sonia a. mascaroAugust 17, 2008 at 4:22 PM

    Wow! What a wonderful picture! Dot told me about your great blog and I am glad she did!
    Have a nice Sunday!

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  29. DrowseyMonkey-PhotosAugust 17, 2008 at 6:12 PM

    Wowser! That's absolutely gorgeous!

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  30. dotAugust 17, 2008 at 8:41 PM

    This is a beautiful clear shot!

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  31. RoanAugust 17, 2008 at 9:01 PM

    Really nice close ups. My poor little camera can't keep up with such excellence. Beautiful!

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  32. Kerri FarleyAugust 18, 2008 at 6:23 AM

    Oh my! This has to be one of the best shots of a butterfly on a flower that I have ever seen! Absolutely stunning!!

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  33. Misty DawnSAugust 18, 2008 at 9:14 AM

    Gorgeous capture. I haven't seen any Red Admirals around here lately... hmmm, I'll have to make a point to look for them.

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  34. KellyAugust 18, 2008 at 7:51 PM

    Beautiful Red Admiral Butterfly! Fabulous photo!!

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  35. Gemma WisemanAugust 21, 2008 at 4:51 AM

    An awesome shot! The colours and textures are simply brilliant!

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