Today I am sharing three Variegated Fritillary butterfly photos that I took at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge when I visited my friend, Steve Creek, in June.
Variegated Fritillary at Sequoyah NWR – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/800, ISO 250, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500m, natural light
While there are Variegated Fritillary butterflies in northern Utah, to my knowledge, I have not photographed them here.
I was thrilled to have this individual in my viewfinder while Steve and I visited the refuge one morning. I jumped out of Steve’s pickup to photograph the butterflies that were nectaring on Common Hedge Parsley plants next to the road.
Variegated Fritillary on Common Hedge Parsley – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/800, ISO 250, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500m, natural light
I felt fortunate to be able to photograph this particular fritillary butterfly because it was very skittish and difficult to approach. The genus name for this butterfly species was taken from the Greek word euptoietos means “easily scared”.
The orange and black colors of this Variegated Fritillary butterfly was certainly eye-catching.
Variegated Fritillary nectaring on Common Hedge Parsley – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/800, ISO 250, Canon RF 100-500mm at 500m, natural light
That morning, the Common Hedge Parsley plants lining the road at the refuge allowed me to photograph several butterfly species that I didn’t have in my photo galleries. The introduced parsley plants were a huge butterfly attractant.
Even though birds are my primary subject and ongoing obsession when it comes to my photography, I can’t and don’t resist taking images of other wildlife I encounter when I am out in nature. Everything in nature is connected.
Every trip I made to the refuge with Steve revealed something new and magically amazing. Thanks for the terrific adventures Steve!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my insect and spider galleries.
Simply beautiful. Thank you.
lovely