Garden butterflies

[Sheal]

You're welcome Meadowlark.

@Tetters I've not heard of that butterfly, let alone seen one.

 

[Meadowlark]

this is a Camberwell beauty (Nymphosis antiopa) and it is a butterfly I only saw once! This lovely creature flew alongside me one day some years ago - all the way along our lane as I brought the dogs back from our walk. When I got to the gateway, it continued to fly along the lane, so there we parted company. I couldn't believe the size of it. Another name this butterfly has earned is ''mourning cloak''

That is a beautiful butterfly. Apparently, it is a rare sight in UK but it's range does include North America. I will definitely keep an eye out for this one.

" Commonly found throughout all of North America and most of northern Eurasia, except the UK and Ireland. There have been sightings from many parts of the British Isles but most records are from eastern counties.

 

[Meadowlark]

The Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae) or possibly the Orange Sulphur?

It fits the description "They have an erratic, jerky flying style and usually stay low to the ground.

 

[Zigs]

A fistful of Peacock Butterflies

 

[Meadowlark]

Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele)​

The Great Spangled Fritillary is a fascinating species of butterfly native to North America, celebrated for its vivid orange and tan hues and its presence across a diverse range of habitats.

 

[Meadowlark]

The black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is found throughout much of North America. It is named after the figure in Greek mythology who was the youngest daughter of King Priam of Troy.

 

[Tetters]

We cannot compete here with your Texan butterflies when it comes to size. The Camberwell beauty is the largest as far as I know. YES ok, I know everything in America is bigger. Us Brits have to depend on quality instead

 

[Meadowlark]

Size doesn't matter. That Camberwell you posted is a beauty by any measure.

 

[Meadowlark]

No one does it better than Dolly...

 

[Meadowlark]

Giant Swallowtail working on lunch...

 

[Meadowlark]

Small dark possibly immature swallowtail?

 

[Tetters]

No one does it better than Dolly...

I couldn't agree more!!

 

[Meadowlark]

The Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) can often be found in woodland areas, swamps, stream banks, and residential gardens.

Of the 8 swallowtails common to Texas, this one makes 5 that I have identified in my garden...the other three have been seen but only in short glances.

 

[Meadowlark]

After a couple of cloudy days, the sunshine was bright today and the butterflys were plentiful. Picked up several new additions.

The first one is the beautiful Zebra Swallowtail.

The zebra swallowtail butterfly (Eurytides marcellus) is a striking species native to the eastern United States and south-eastern Canada. The zebra swallowtail has a wingspan of 6.4 to 10.4 cm (2.5 to 4.1 in). Its triangular wings are white to greenish white with black longitudinal stripes. It also has a pair of sword-like tails extending from the hind-wings. The inner margin of the hind-wing features blue spots and a red spot near the body

This beauty has been somewhat elusive for me and I'm thrilled to get it in a picture.
today.

It represents the sixth variety of the eight total varieties of swallowtail found in Texas.

 

[Meadowlark]

The Palamedes swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) is a large, dark butterfly marked with yellow spots and bands. It’s commonly found in and near swampy woods in the southeastern United States...and with all the rain we have had we certainly have ample swampy woods nearby.

This butterfly represents the seventh variety of swallowtails that I have captured on photo since starting this little adventure. There are eight total varieties of swallowtails known in Texas so I have only one more to go...and I have seen that number eight but not able to get a picture yet.

The Palamedes Swallowtail.

 

[Meadowlark]

The Painted Lady Butterfly (Vanessa cardui) is a fascinating species found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. This butterfly has striking patterned wings with a beautiful mosaic of colors of orange, red, black, and white. It is a strong flyer that travels from Europe and North Africa to the British Isles. Its migratory behavior and widespread presence make it a remarkable species. Although it is not common here, on Meadowlark Ranch, it fertainly makes its presence known.

Would love to see others here (@Tetters are you listening) capture a photo of this widespread variety.

The Painted Lady.

 

[Sheal]

It's lovely to see all the flutter-bies you have in your garden Meadowlark. I get very few and won't see those for another month yet.

 

[Meadowlark]

It's lovely to see all the flutter-bies you have in your garden Meadowlark. I get very few and won't see those for another month yet.

Keep an eye out for that Painted Lady butterfly. Would be neat for them to be seen there.

 

[Tetters]

We do see painted ladies, and tortoiseshells, red admirals, peacocks, brimstones, white admirals, gate keepers, orange tips, commas, several blues and others, but it is still a bit early for them at the moment here. When the time is right, I will see what I can do - I promise!!
Although we are seeing a warm day here and there, it has been more like winter for most of this month.

 

[Meadowlark]

Holding you to that promise