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Beautiful Apollo (Parnassius apollo) resting on a Echium vulgare, known as viper's bugloss.
butterfly on the flower in spring
Aglais urticae is a common resident. Migrants are also often seen. Its distribution probably has not changed during the last century. However, the Dutch Monitoring Scheme shows a decline in numbers in the 1990s; the cause is not known.\nAdults can be seen looking for nectar in gardens, parks and on roadside verges. \nThe caterpillars feed on the smaller plants of Urtica dioica in very sunny, open spots.\nThe species flies in two generations from the beginning of March until the end of October. The adult butterfly hibernates in cool, dark places, such as barns, attics, or hollow trees.\n\nThe Picture is made along a small Brook in the Eifel (Germany) in halfway August 2021.
A Diana Fritillary butterfly on a purple buddleia flower
American Lady Butterfly On White Flowers
Discover the vibrant charm of wildflowers as they paint the landscape with bursts of color, a testament to the beauty and resilience of nature's floral tapestry.
macro shot of blue butterfly with soft green yellow background
The blue color of the Common Blue butterfly is less evident when its wings are closed, but a distinct blue hue does show up.  The detailed patterns on the wings are a marvel of the artistry of nature.  This photographe was taken in the midday sunshine in Southern Quebec in summertime.
Close shot of an Apollo or mountain Apollo (Parnassius apollo) butterfly resting on a field scabious.
Early in the morning, dew-covered butterflies wait for the sun to come out and dry them to fly.
Brenthis daphne, the marbled fritillary, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.\nDescription:\nBrenthis daphne has a wingspan of 30–44 millimeters. Wings are rather rounded, the basic color of the upper side of the forewings is bright orange, with an incomplete black marginal band. The underside of the hindwings have a yellowish postdiscal band and the marginal area is completely suffused with purple, with a marble effect (hence the common name).  The quadrangular patch on the underside hindwing is partially shaded orange pink to outer side. The chrysalis has two dorsal rows of thorns with bright spots and a bright metallic shine.\nThis species is very similar to the lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino), but the latter is slightly smaller and the coloration of said patch is completely yellow.\nBiology:\nThe butterfly flies from late May to early August depending on the location. The eggs are laid separately in July on the leaves of the host plants. The larvae feed on brambles (Rubus fruticosus), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Rubus caesius, Rubus sachalinensis, Sanguisorba officinalis and Filipendula species, while adults usually feed on nectar from brambles, thistles and other flowers. This species is univoltine. It overwinters at the caterpillar stage in the egg shell. \nDistribution and habitat:\nThis widespread species is present in the Palearctic ecozone from the southern parts of the continental Europe (northern Spain, southern France, Germany, Italy and eastwards to Slovakia and Greece), up to Caucasus, western Siberia. It prefers warm and sunny forest edges, woodland and bushy areas where the host plants grow, at an elevation of 75–1,750 meters above sea level (source Wikipedia).\n\nThis Picture is made during a Vacation in Bulgaria in May 2018.
Macro photo of a blue butterfly.
A butterfly on some hawthorn blossom.
Great spangled fritillary on joe-pye weed in summer, top or dorsal view, showing the pattern on the back of the wings. The Latin word fritillus means chessboard or dice box. Fritillary is also a checkered flower.
Butterfly on Flower from Summer
Butterfly on Globe Amaranth flower.
Pink Butterflies on green plants, China
The Peleides blue morpho, photographed at the Montreal insectarium as part of the exhibition: \
Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)  feeding on Wild Bergamot on a mid-summer afternoon at Clarence Schock Memorial Park in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
Vanessa cardui is a very common migrant that arrives from Africa every summer. Numbers fluctuate annually, depending on the reproduction in Africa.\nThe species is most likely to be seen in open areas were the vegetation has a mosaic structure, such as waste land, fallow ground and pasture land.\nit uses various species of Carduus, Arctium and Cirsium both as larval food plant and as a source of nectar.\n\nThis is a common Migration Butterfly in the Netherlands.
butterfly on the flower in spring
Silver washed fritillary butterfly (Argynnis paphia)
gossamer-winged butterfly, A butterfly is gathering honey
Great spangled fritillary, fluttering over summer wildflowers (joe-pye weed) as it feeds, with the focus on the eyes and head. The butterfly's striking pattern inspires its name. The Latin word fritillus means chessboard or dice box.
A Grey Hairstreak Butterfly Nectaring on a Flower
Butterfly on white blossom
A common blue butterfly (Polyommatus icarus) feeding on a blue cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)
Brenthis daphne, the marbled fritillary, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.\nDescription:\nBrenthis daphne has a wingspan of 30–44 millimeters. Wings are rather rounded, the basic color of the upper side of the forewings is bright orange, with an incomplete black marginal band. The underside of the hindwings have a yellowish postdiscal band and the marginal area is completely suffused with purple, with a marble effect (hence the common name).  The quadrangular patch on the underside hindwing is partially shaded orange pink to outer side. The chrysalis has two dorsal rows of thorns with bright spots and a bright metallic shine.\nThis species is very similar to the lesser marbled fritillary (Brenthis ino), but the latter is slightly smaller and the coloration of said patch is completely yellow.\nBiology:\nThe butterfly flies from late May to early August depending on the location. The eggs are laid separately in July on the leaves of the host plants. The larvae feed on brambles (Rubus fruticosus), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Rubus caesius, Rubus sachalinensis, Sanguisorba officinalis and Filipendula species, while adults usually feed on nectar from brambles, thistles and other flowers. This species is univoltine. It overwinters at the caterpillar stage in the egg shell. \nDistribution and habitat:\nThis widespread species is present in the Palearctic ecozone from the southern parts of the continental Europe (northern Spain, southern France, Germany, Italy and eastwards to Slovakia and Greece), up to Caucasus, western Siberia. It prefers warm and sunny forest edges, woodland and bushy areas where the host plants grow, at an elevation of 75–1,750 meters above sea level (source Wikipedia).\n\nThis Picture is made during a Vacation in Bulgaria in May 2018.
Free Images: "bestof:FRITILLARY, GULF (Argraulis vanillae) (12-12-10) blue haven rd, patagonia, scc, az ALAN SCHMIERER ALAN SCHMIERER"
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342_-_RED_PHALAROPE_(9-15-10)_Bog_Hole_Wildlife_Area,_south_of_Patagonia,_scc,_az_(5).jpg
340_-_WILSON'S_PHALAROPE_(9-15-10)_Bog_Hole_Wildlife_Area,_south_of_Patagonia,_scc,_az.jpg
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SWEAT_BEE,_sp_(Augochloropsis_sp)_(9-5-11)_78_circulo_montana,_patagonia_lake_ranch_estates,_scc,_az_-04.jpg
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791_-_CHESTNUT-COLLARED_LONGSPUR_(1-5-14)_tank_at_mexican_border,_san_rafael_grasslands,_scc,_az_-05.jpg
704_-_RUBY-CROWNED_KINGLET_(11-18-2014)_patagonia_lake,_santa_cruz_co,_az_-01.jpg
934_-_YELLOW-HEADED_BLACKBIRD_(11-18-2014)_with_redwing_and_great-tailed_blackbirds,_patagonia_lake,_santa_cruz_co,_az_-02.jpg
PYGMY-BLUE,_WESTERN_(Brephidium_exile)_(11-22-2014)_las_cienegas_national_conservation_area,_pima_county,_az_-02.jpg
HERON,_GREAT_BLUE.jpg
910_-_HEPATIC_TANAGER_(12-18-13)_huachuca_canyon,_cochise_co,_az_-01.jpg
700_-_SINALOA_WREN_(12-18-13)_huachuca_canyon,_cochise_co,_az_-02.jpg
885_-_BAIRD;S_SPARROW_(11-16-2014)_san_rafael_grasslands,_santa_cruz_co,_az.jpg
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845_-_RUFOUS-CAPPED_WARBLER_(1-13-14)_florida_wash,_pima_co,_az_-_13.jpg
845_-_RUFOUS-CAPPED_WARBLER_(1-13-14)_florida_wash,_pima_co,_az_-_03.jpg
CIBOLA_NAT_WILDLIFE_REFUGE,_south_of_Blyth,_CA_(3-6-14)_la_paz_co,_az_(2).jpg
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704_-_BLACK-CAPPED_GNATCATCHER_(5-4-2015)_female,_florida_wash,_pinal_co,_az_-02.jpg
826_-_MAGNOLIA_WARBLER_(12-17-13)_tanque_verde_wash,_tucson,_pima_co,_az_-06.jpg
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885_-_BAIRD'S_SPARROW_(4-25-2015)_san_rafael_grasslands,_santa_cruz_co,_az_-16.jpg
839_-_BLACK-THROATED_GRAY_WARBLER_(11-23-2014)_sonoita_creek_state_natural_area,_santa_cruz_co,_az_-01.jpg
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700_-_SINALOA_WREN_(12-18-13)_huachuca_canyon,_cochise_co,_az_-06_carrying_nesting_material.jpg
KILLDEER_(2-1-11)_ca_-01.jpg
027_-_AMERICAN_WIGEON_(12-18-13)_albuquerque,_nm_-01.jpg
883_-_SAVANNAH_SPARROW_(6-1-13)_estero_bluffs,_slo_co,_ca_(1).jpg
EGRET,_SNOWY_1-12-06_morro_bay,_slo_co,_ca.jpg
SANTA_ANA_NAT_WILDLIFE_REFUGE,_near_Mc_Allen,_Tx_-06.jpg
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023_-_WOOD_DUCK_(12-18-13)_albuquerque,_nm_-05.jpg
023_-_WOOD_DUCK_(12-18-13)_albuquerque,_nm_-03.jpg
023_-_WOOD_DUCK_(12-18-13)_albuquerque,_nm_-12.jpg
ROCK_CORRAL_CANYON_-_Atascosa_Mts_(12-22-13)_(3).jpg
954_-_BRAMBLING_(12-24-2014)_arcata,_humboldt_co,_ca_-01.jpg
SPOTTED_CORALROOT_(Corallorhiza_maculata)_(6-16-12)_douglas_co,_or_-02.jpg
VIEW_FROM_THE_HOUSE_-_0233_(11-14-2014).jpg
449_-_BARN_OWL_(7-03_10)_los_osos,_slo_co,_ca.jpg
LIZARD,_BLUNT-NOSED_LEOPARD_(gambelia_sila)_(6-6-13)_lincoln_co,_nv_(1).jpg
LIZARD,_BLUNT-NOSED_LEOPARD_(gambelia_sila)_(6-6-13)_lincoln_co,_nv_(2).jpg
DRAGONLET,_BAND-WINGED_(Erythrodiplax_umbrata)_(3-7-12)_santa_anna_national_wildlife_refuge,_tx_-04.jpg
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221_-_HARRIS'S_HAWK_(3-5-12)_laguna_atascosa_nat_wildlife_refuge,_near_laguna_vista,_tx_(3).jpg
858_-_OLIVE_SPARROW_(3-5-12)_laguna_atascosa_nat_wildlife_refuge,_near_laguna_vista,_tx_(2).jpg
POPPY,_CALIFORNIA_(eschscholzia_californica)_(4-24-10)_carrizo_plain_nat_mon_-03.jpg
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NIGHT_SNAKE_(hypsiglena_torquata)_with_possible_PLATEAU_STRIPED_LIZARD_(cnemidophorus_velox)_(6-13-09)_southern_utah_or_maybe_arizona.jpg
WHITE,_GREAT_SOUTHERN_(Ascia_monuste)_(2-20-13)_pelican_island_nat_wildlife_refuge,_indian_river_co,_fl_(1).jpg
CRESCENT,_PHAON_(Phycoides_phaon)_(3-7-12)_santa_anna_national_wildlife_refuge,_near_mc_allen,_tx_(1).jpg
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