If you think I’m out of my league with sparrow ID it doesn’t even come close to my ignorance when it comes time to identify butterflies.
1/1250, f/8, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender
Six days ago in a canyon of the Wasatch Mountains some of the rabbitbrush was in full bloom and a variety of insect species were taking full advantage. I believe this was a type of fritillary but I’m not even confident of that. I haven’t owned a macro lens for years so when an insect opportunity presents itself I rely on my 500mm lens with attached teleconverter and for my purposes that combination performs the task reasonably well.
This image might not show off those colorful wings to full advantage but as a biologist I like the good look at the head, eyes and appendages.
1/1000, f/8, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender
These butterflies were absolutely drenched in pollen, to the point that when I first opened one of my photos my first reaction was “Where in the hell did all that digital noise come from”? This time of year rabbitbrush pollen is a scourge for many allergy sufferers but it’s a boon for pollen-gathering insects. And partly because the flowers can make such colorful perches for birds I love their blooms when they’re in prime condition, even though their extremely bright yellows can make proper exposure difficult.
Could these butterflies be Great Basin Fritillaries?
Ron
PS – Daughter Shannon and family leave for home this morning and they stayed elsewhere last night so I have the privilege of taking temporary care of their dog Marley until they pick him up later this morning.
I haven’t had a dog in the house, or on my bed, since I lost my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Tommy (not a name I’d have chosen but he was named when I got him) over a decade ago. Marley is getting on in years so he’s a calm sleepy-head and I took this photo about 15 seconds after the first time he walked into my bedroom. As soon as he saw the bed he was on it in an instant and asleep almost as fast. I’ve really enjoyed having Marley around for the past three days since dog ownership no longer fits into my lifestyle as a bird photographer and I miss it tremendously.
I only mention this and include the photo (despite my embarrassingly messy bed) to partly explain why I haven’t been out shooting for the last few days, including this morning. My dog sitting duties and having company have precluded such activities. But even though I’ve been missing some great opportunities with birds that’s been a sacrifice I’ve gladly made for the opportunity to spend time with Shannon and her family, and with Marley. We’ve all had a wonderful time together.
Gorgeous dog, I see he is making himself at home. Wonder if you wake up partially numb from him draping over you as you sleep. I would recognize the butterfly as a “Fritillary”. period. That’s how much I know. Like your images.
You know I have to comment on the dog first! 😉 What a good boy Marley is! Furbabies are the best! I love that he made himself at home right away — he knew he was in the presence of coolness. I don’t think your bed is all that messy, to be honest.
Love the butterfly shots too. Found a swallowtail of some variety at school on Friday. Poor thing was deceased already, but I have him in my room and have been trying to get a good ID. So far, he doesn’t match any of the reference shots exactly, but that means I haven’t looked hard enough.
So glad you had time with Shannon and her family. They seem like a fun bunch! Hopefully, it won’t be so long before you see them again.
He’s always had a way of making himself at home, Marty. I think he was exhausted after the trip and he was out like a light when he hit my bed.
Truth be told I used Photoshop to “clean up” a small bit of untidiness in that shot. Sometimes I think I’m just a bit too honest about things like that… 🙂
I’m late to the party, but love the photos of the butterfly with all of that pollen.
But, I truly love Marley who has made himself at home on your bed….snoring and all.
Great post. I’m sure you will Marley and your family when they leave for home.
Thank you Ron.
I miss them already, Alice. I hope it doesn’t take as long to see them again as it did last time.
With you on Butterflies Ron. Just getting to your post here late Monday. I know Monarchs, and I know the Viceroy Monarch pretender, and I know our Arizona State Butterfly the Two-tailed Swallowtail, but after that the rest of them are in the same category as Sparrows and Hummingbirds 🙂 Hope you enjoy your family’s visit and your time with Marley.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
I’m not even sure I can ID as many butterfly species as you can, Everett. Not kidding either…
A beautiful butterfly, to be sure, and I do love the close-in view of its features, especially the unfurled proboscis drinking up the nectar! But I’m terrible at b’fly IDs, unless it’s a Monarch, so can’t help you there. 😁
Glad you’ve had such a great visit with your family, including Marley, a handsome boy if there ever was one. Hope you’ve already started making plans for your next family reunion!
Chris, that active proboscis reminded me of the same thing in the sphynx moths I photographed and posted a couple of years ago.
Golden butterfly on spikey gold flower can barely hold a candle to a golden dog that looks so much like my Bindi…can’t believe she’s gone for a month already…let that beautiful pup have the bed…you can always sleep on the couch…
I no longer have the option, Patty. Marley’s on his way home now.
😕
Butterflies are ephemeral magic. Like the other feathered enchantment you give us.
When I got up a little while ago the cat sighed, purred and extended his body to cover even MORE of the bed. Anyone would think he had been cramped – says the woman who slept on the very edge of the bed to allow his highness his space.
Love your headboard, and even more so hearing its story. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to sleep as well as Marley? In our own bed, let alone someone elses.
Sorry, long comment.
I like your long comments, EC. I’d love to be able to sleep as well as Marley!
I love Rabbitbrush. Such a vivid yellow. Beautiful Butterfly..Marley is a doll. Maybe you should adopt. 🙂
I wish I could have a dog, Jean, but I’m afraid it wouldn’t be practical for me.
Amazing photos for a non-macro lens. Looks like it’s a good thing Marley is only visiting, otherwise you’d have to find somewhere else to sleep
I almost had to do that last night, Lyle. For some reason one of his feet/legs kept twitching against my leg and waking me up. Maybe he was dreaming…
Your granddog is one of my favorites
Nice to know, Barbara. He’s pretty special.
Ron, my butterfly book (Audubon) doesn’t have a “Great Basin Fritillary” anywhere. I looked through all the fritillaries, and the closest I found is the Callippe Fritillary. It’s good that you have the first shot, because with fritillaries you always need to see the underside of the wings as part of the identification process. The range and habitat fit. Fritillaries are among the most difficult to identify, even for those who know butterflies well.
Marley’s choice of position reminds me of a cat I had a long time ago, who wanted to make sure he had the bed to himself. Glad you have had a good visit with Shannon and family. Shannon is an amazing person. I love her persistence (a character trait I think she got from you). But the most amazing thing is her awareness of her limitations. Most people with TBIs don’t have that awareness.
Good to know about needing to see the undersides of the wings.
Shannon’s surprisingly aware of her limitations, Susan. The “old Shannon” was fiercely independent and would have gone crazy not being able to drive but Shannon accepts it calmly because she’s so aware of why she can’t. Which is truly a good thing.
My Peterson butterfly guide seems to indicate this to be a Silver Bordered Fritillary–Clossiana selene tollandensis.
The silver borders on your little beauty are very strong…….
Thanks for the lead, Kris. I’ll follow up on it a little later after I get some chores done.
Love the one of Marley. And the story. Lol
Thanks, Arwen.
Absolutely beautiful shots! Wish I could say it is a Great Basin Fritillary, but as close as I can come is Atlantis Fritillary, Speyeria atlantis. Even though the name suggests Atlantis occurs only in the east there are fairly robust populations found in BC and across Canada, northern Great Plains south to CO, AZ and NM. That is as close as I can come with my references.
Love the shot and the sharpness to the whole butterfly.
Thank you, Dick. Guess I’ll have to see what others might say and then see if there’s a reliable consensus.
Hi Ron–So glad you got that wonderful family time with Shannon and her crew– Marley does look like a comfy old soul !
It’s a Fritillary of SOME sort– could tell you which ones it’s NOT—but I don’t believe I’ve seen this one in a field guide ever.
The rabbitbrush pollen for the butterfly is analogous to the pig in – – – -. Glad conditions are good for at least ONE kind of wild critter this year !
Loved your analogy, Kris – one I use (probably too) often.
He is a comfy old soul, Kris. As I type this he’s snoring softly on my bed directly behind me.
What a gorgeous butterfly/moth! The flower, whatever it is, suits it perfectly…… 🙂 🙂 🙂 Marley sure knew how to make himself at home and your bed/pillow obviously provided a comfy place for “old bones” 🙂 “Critters” are an important part of our lives for sure – know we “gotta have a dog” (and cat) 🙂 Love your headboard – did you build it?
Thank you, Judy. Actually my dad built it for me while I was still teaching and before I took up furniture building. There’s a painting of him on the right side of the headboard taken from a photo. The photo was taken while he was finishing my basement into a “mother-in-law” apartment that both of my parents lived in for the 5 years before they passed away.
As you can imagine that headboard means a lot to me.
I wish I’d raised my lens up a little to include all of the tapestry hanging on the wall over the bed. Ford Motor Company sent it to me out of the blue because I’d bought so many Ford pickups over the years (12 of them). It shows two old farmers talking to each other along a fence line with a 1948 red Ford pickup behind them. I learned to drive on the farm in exactly that color, year and model of pickup and the farmers remind me perfectly of my dad and his brother, my uncle Floyd.
That tapestry is exactly perfect for me and my Montana farm background.
Wonderful to be surrounded by those memories! 🙂 Headboard struck me as it appears to be very functional besides beautiful………
It sure is, Judy. Dad and I spent a lot of time designing it before he made any sawdust for that project.
Beautiful shots Ron,enjoy your granddog!
Charlotte
“Granddog” – I never thought of him in that context but you’re right. Thanks, Charlotte.