Clouded Sulphur butterfly nectaring on Rabbitbrush – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There weren’t many wildflowers blooming along the auto tour route at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge two days ago. It looked to me as if the Common Sunflowers that should still be in bloom may have been affected by the herbicide that was sprayed a few weeks ago to aid in controlling the invasive phragmites on the refuge. I did see blackbirds feeding on the seeds of the sunflowers and I hope that the herbicide that was used does not make them ill.
On the way back to the interstate to head home I stopped at a few blooming rabbitbrushes because I wanted to see what butterflies and insects were nectaring on them.
I got lucky at one rabbitbrush when I found a Clouded Sulphur butterfly nectaring on what I believe is a Rubber Rabbitbrush. The bright yellow flowers made for a lovely setting for this Clouded Sulphur. I took a nice series of images of the butterfly, a few bees, a narrow waisted wasp, a Purplish Copper butterfly, and a few hoverflies before I turned my Jeep back on and headed home.
I was happy to have gotten a few decent images of the butterflies and insects after being disappointed by the low numbers of birds on my trip around the auto tour route at the refuge.
Life is good.
Mia
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Stunning!
You were lucky – and so are we. Thank you.
Always wondered what this butterfly was called. Nice image!
Beautiful image. From what you are telling us the last two days I am glad I have not spent the long trip up to the refuge.