Summer is not over yet. Sure, Labor Day has come and gone and school buses now clog my morning commute. In the elevator yesterday, I heard two ladies discussing whether they could still wear a white skirt to work. Leaves are starting to fall from the trees and are changing colors.
Despite these signs, I still defiantly proclaim that summer is not finished as long as I continue to see beautiful butterflies, like this Red-spotted Purple butterfly (Limenitis arthemis) that I spotted last Friday at my local marsh. The wooden board on which it is perched is not exactly photogenic, but I can’t complain too much, since these butterflies also have a fondness for rotting fruit and animal dung.
Closed position
Half-open position
Open position
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
It certainly is a beauty and looks brand new — no teeth marks on the wings from predators. I wonder if the eggs overwinter, or if there is time to raise another brood to the pupal stage?
Very nice butterflies, I really think it is showing off a little 🙂 The last of our flowers seemed to have faded now 😦 But the spiders have come out in force 🙂
I heartily share your defiance and look forward to finding more evidence as we head up to MN tomorrow for a few more days. I’ll let you know.
Have a great trip. I’m headed on a business trip next week and may be a bit more out of touch than usual.
You got some great shots of his beauty, Mike!
Thanks, Allen. The wings were in almost constant motion (opening and closing), so I took lots of shots to get different wing positions (and I was sprawled on the boardwalk to get a relatively low angle of view).
What a beautiful butterfly and I think the plain background sets it off really well.
Amazing colours.
Thanks. I am always happy when the colorful creatures are willing to pose for me.