July is finally coming to an end, a month of endless hot, hazy, and humid days. It has been tough to get myself motivated to go out with my camera and I have been forced to keep my outings relatively short. Weather-wise autumn is my favorite time of the year, but we have a lot more summer weather to endure before the cooling temperatures of autumn arrive.
During a recent visit to Jackson Miles Abbott Wetland Refuge I was delighted to spot this Pearl Crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos). It was feeding in a patch of what looked to be Black-eyed Susan flowers (Rudbeckia hirta), although I must confess that I am not very good at identifying flowers, so my identification may not be accurate.
Initially the little butterfly perched with its wings only partially open, but I waited patiently and eventually it fully extended its wings and I was able to capture this image. It is a relatively simple composition, but I really like the way that it gives you a sense of the environment while also showing you the beautiful markings of the Pearl Crescent butterfly.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Beautiful critter…with an adorable name.
Wonderful composition with background and butterfly colors echoing in harmony. Beautiful butterfly, too.
Very nice, Mike!
The Pearl and its cousin Phaon are always a pleasure to encounter.
Thanks, Wally. I don’t think that we get the Phaon here. 🙂