Butterflies in October? October has been a crazy month weather-wise in Northern Virginia where I live. Yesterday we had a record high temperature of 98 degrees (37 degrees C) and it feels a lot more like summer than autumn. Therefore it did not seem at all strange that I saw lots of butterflies on Tuesday when I visited Huntley Meadows Park.
I spent quite a while chasing after this beautiful little butterfly, which I think is an Orange Sulphur butterfly (Colias eurytheme). Most of the time the butterfly would perch sidewards and then fly away when I tried to circle around to get a better angle for a shot. I was thrilled when I finallly managed to capture this image with the butterfly’s wings partially open. I also like the way that the light helped to illuminate some of the details in the wings.
I look forward to the cooler autumn weather that will eventually come, but for now I am continuing to enjoy some of the delights of this endless summer.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I like the subtle colouring of the butterfly, blending with the surroundings.
Beautiful composition and color harmony. Stunning photograph.
You could not have captured the beauty of this moment more perfectly, Mike.
Beautiful photo, Mike. 98° in October? In Virginia? That’s not right. I hope things settle into normal, but I think this might be our new normal.
This is very nice, Mike. In addition to the excellent Orange Sulphur portrait on fall asters it has a well pleasing background which makes it artistic as well.
Very nice capture on that fall looking aster, Mike! Feels like full summer, here, too, but the weather predictors say we’re in for a big change tomorrow. We’ll see.