Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly female in July – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I first saw this butterfly nectaring on a Musk Thistle I didn’t recognize the species and that is because she had her wings closed. This is a female Great Spangled Fritillary, a butterfly species that can be abundant in the Wasatch Mountains at this time of the year.
Most of the time when I see the females of this Great Spangled Fritillary butterflies they have their wings open while they are nectaring.
Nectaring female Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When the wings of female Great Spangled Fritillary butterflies are open the patterns and colors are quite different. This photo was taken nearly two years ago.
Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly resting on Black Twinberry Honeysuckle – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Male Great Spangled Fritillary butterflies look nothing like the females. I photographed this male on a Black Twinberry Honeysuckle about two years ago.
I enjoy photographing butterflies when I can.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my insect and spider images. Click here to see more of my wildflower photos along with shrubs and trees.
Gorgeous!
So interesting and beautifully photographed. I have never seen one.
Thank you for the beauty you so often share.
Great bokeh, and open or closed it is a very pretty butterfly
Gorgeous!! Of course she is a female!
I have seen males, but never a female, great shots.
Wow! Beautiful shots.