Red Admiral butterflies (Vanessa atalanta) are quite common in my area, but for some unknown reason I have not seen very many of them this year. I was therefore quite happy to spot this one during a recent visit to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. In this image, the red leaf in the bottom of the frame helps to remind us that we are well into autumn and more and more of the foliage is changing colors or dropping to the ground—after a recent heavy rainstorm, the grown was covered with fallen leaves.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
I recommend everyone open this large. Quite the photograph.
Thanks, Ted, for the recommendation. I post almost all my photos larger than necessary, specifically to allow viewers to double-click them and see them in greater detail.
That’s why I do most work on a PC, large monitor.
Beautiful markings! Our red admirals are just getting going 🙂
Thanks, Liz. I just checked and it looks like your red admirals are a different species from ours, although they seem to be closely related.
Yes, although I didn’t check it out myself I thought ours are different!
They are both of the genus Vanessa–yours is Vanessa gonerilla, while mine is Vanessa atalanta. 🙂
What odd names!
Beautiful image Mike! Great shot!
Thanks, Reed. I have to snag all of the butterfly shots that I can while they are still around. 🙂
Wow, fantastic colour!
Great photo, Mike. There is so much of interest at this time of year.
Lovely shot, Mike. Our numbers are dwindling and I did not see an admiral this year at all. The only Vanessa I have seen is our neighbor down the street. 🙂
🙂
Such a wonderful butterfly! I see them often around the flowers in the garden!
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Thanks, Mitzy. I suspected that there were lots of them around and I may merely have been looking for them at the wrong times or in the wrong places.
Oh my! The pattern on the antennae is mimic-ed on the legs! Wonderful, Mike!