The leaves are speckled with blemishes and the Red-spotted Purple butterfly (Limenitis arthemis) is faded and tattered, but there is real beauty in the imperfection of autumn. Photographed this past weekend at Jackson Miles Abbott Wetlands Refuge in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
For a variety of reasons, the 1950s combination of chartreuse and maroon is a favorite of mine, and here it is again. You’re right — the butterfly and its leaves are perfectly beautiful. 🙂
Nice color tones.
The ones without blemishes are frequently the ones that haven’t been playing their fair part in the game. You have a couple of good players here.