It should not come as a surprise to readers of this blog that I kept my eyes open for insects as I hiked about in Mount Rainier National Park earlier this week. The pickings were pretty slim, despite the fact that I passed through a variety of habitats.
At one particular stream, I noted some dragonfly activity, with multiple large dragonflies patrolling over the water, endlessly zooming back and forth. I hoped in vain that one would land, but eventually settled for trying capture a shot of them as they flew by. I was thrilled to actually succeed with one shot, which I think might be a Paddle-tailed Darner dragonfly (Aeshna palmata).
While I was chasing the dragonflies, I came upon the distinctive butterfly in the second photo. I believe that it is a Lorquin’s Admiral (Limenitis lorquini), as species that is new to me.
The final photo features some kind of Comma butterfly. The Pacific Northwest has different varieties of Comma butterflies than I am used to seeing in Virginia. I think this one might be a Green Comma (Polygonia faunus).
One of the real joys of traveling is having the chance to see new species and I am happy that this trip is providing me with such opportunities. If you happen to be an expert on any of these species and notice that I have misidentified them, please do not feel shy about providing a correction.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
That first shot, the Dragonfly in flight, an absolutely great wildlife photograph 👏👏👏👏.
Thanks, Ted. I took dozens of shots, but had a huge time getting focus, because of the backgrounds. This one somehow worked. Luck helped, but I tried to increase the odds by taking lots of shots.
🤣🤣, is there any other way 😁😁😁
I saw a video somewhere in which the photographer was able to use eye detection focus with a dragonfly, so technology may assist us in the future–where’s the fun in that? 🙂
You need a challenge… lol
Great job, Mike and a wonderful location.
So happy you are finding your passion while traveling – just slightly shifted. As a beginning birder decades ago, I was so surprised that many of the birds I was seeing while out west were in the same family as birds I knew. Not our chickadee, but I could tell it was a chickadee of some sort. Same for the jay and nuthatch and thrush. Very fun and upped my trip enjoyment immensely.
Nice series of images Mike! Enjoyed seeing them! Looking forward to seeing more on your trip!