This morning, I’m sharing a few photos of male Cabbage White butterflies and Common Sunflowers that I took last Sunday at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
Cabbage White butterfly male on a Common Sunflower – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There are Common Sunflowers blooming practically everywhere in northern Utah right now. They attract a wide range of pollinators, from tiny flies to larger butterflies and moths. These native annual sunflowers are great for checking out bugs.
There were numerous Cabbage White butterflies flying along the auto tour route at the refuge. I stopped to photograph two of them that were nectaring on the sunflowers. Both happened to be males as indicated by the singular black spots on their wings.
Male Cabbage White butterfly on a Common Sunflower – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Cabbage White butterflies were accidentally introduced to Quebec, Canada, around 1860 and subsequently spread rapidly throughout North America.
Cabbage White butterflies are some of the first butterflies to take flight in the spring. Their average lifespan is about three weeks, however, they continuously mate, and there are several broods of cabbage whites per year.
Even though this butterfly species causes crop damage, particularly to plants in the cabbage family, I still enjoy seeing them flitting about from early spring until the waning, cooler days of fall. I also love having them in my viewfinder and stopping to take photos of them when I can.
Maybe Cabbage White butterflies aren’t the most exciting or colorful butterflies on the wing in northern Utah, but I’m glad they catch my eye. Having them in my viewfinder is always a treat and a source of joy.
Oh, and happy first day of Fall!
Life is good.
Mia
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These are terrific shots. The detail and colors are extraordinary and, to my eye, the composition in both pics is perfect. Thanks Mia.
Thank you. They were introduced here too. And thrive. And are beautiful.
I did not know that this common species was introduced to North America. It is great that you can see and capture such beauty in the commonplace.