Painted Lady

Painted Lady on Rubber Rabbitbrush

— In September 2021, we spent a few days in the Ruidoso, New Mexico, area. Besides hiking around the area, we also did some sightseeing in other places. On the day we went to White Sands NP, we noticed a beautiful mission church in Mescalero, NM. We decided we would stop there on the way back to Ruidoso.

On the way to visit the mission (it was open), I noticed a very large patch of rubber rabbitbrush with lots of pollinators. I must say that almost made me forget the purpose of our stop. I began capturing photos of all the activities I could catch with my camera. In particular, this painted lady butterfly in the photo above stole the scene. Of all the photos I captured, the one I feature here is my favorite. It was as if the butterfly was aware of my presence and made eye contact with the camera. I especially liked the strong presence of yellow hues both in the flowers and the butterfly. Nature’s palette is nothing short of extraordinary.

Painted Lady on Purple Coneflower

The previous and subsequent photos were captured at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, a place that offers a lot of photo opportunities for macro, wildflower, and wildlife viewing. With their vibrant orange and black wings, painted lady butterflies are champion travelers. They are the most widely distributed butterfly species on Earth, found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia.

Painted Lady on Texas Gayfeather

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15 Responses

  1. Amy
    | Reply

    Beautifully captured! Wonderful light.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thank you so much. I appreciate your feedback, Amy.

  2. SoyBend
    | Reply

    Such a pretty little butterfly, Egidio! Loved your picture with the coneflower.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thanks, Siobhan. Yes, that photo makes me smile. The butterfly is sunbathing.

  3. Educación y más.
    | Reply

    NICE POST AND BLOG 💖💓💚

    I am new follower. I hope follow my blog and GROW TOWETHER.

    Greetings from SPAIN 🇪🇦

    David López Moncada pk 🌎

    (https://pkmundo.wordpress.com/)

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thanks for the feedback. My blog is all about nature, as you can see by most entries. I sometimes also have travel and sports.

      • Educación y más.
        | Reply

        Thanks for sharing.

        I hope visit my blog and GROW TOGETHER 🫂

        Blessed and Happy day 🌞🙏

  4. Rupali
    | Reply

    OMG, the first shot is exceptional.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Rupali, many thanks. That painted lady was so cooperative in waiting for me to click several shots.

  5. sandyjwhite
    | Reply

    Great shots of these Ladies!

  6. Three different ladies, in three different directions, waiting for you to focus on them, amazing!
    You are handsome guy😀😀
    A colourful capture indeed!
    Thank you, Egidio for sharing.

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