Red Admiral

I realize that this week all we have posted about is butterflies! Well, that is because they just seem to be everywhere this week. Has the weather been just right for butterflies? Have the rains produced an abundance of food for the larvae? Are there more nectar plants around this year?

This Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) is feeding on the butterfly bush. They also feed on overripe fruit, sap and animal feces. They are fast and agile flyers, making them one of the more difficult butterflies to photograph.