This morning, I wanted to share a few more things with wings: a set of butterfly photos I took recently at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

Variegated Fritillary butterfly at Tishomingo NWR, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaVariegated Fritillary butterfly at Tishomingo NWR – Nikon D500, f9, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I’ve photographed Variegated Fritillary butterflies before at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. I was delighted to find this fritillary nectaring at the refuge last week. This butterfly species can be found in grasslands, farmland, roadsides, and other open areas. I found this one along a grassy, wildflower-filled roadside at the refuge.

Orange Sulphur butterfly on a coneflower, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaOrange Sulphur butterfly on a coneflower – Nikon D500, f8, 1/3200, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Orange Sulphur butterflies are new to me, or at least, I’ve never photographed one before, which makes this one a lifer for me. Adult Orange Sulphurs feed on nectar from various flowers, including milkweeds, coneflowers, asters, and goldenrods. This Orange Sulphur happened to be nectaring on a coneflower in a small patch of wildflowers.

Phaon Crescent butterfly on an Upright Prairie Coneflower, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaPhaon Crescent butterfly on an Upright Prairie Coneflower – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Phaon Crescent butterflies are also lifers for me since this is the first time I’ve photographed this species. This small crescent butterfly was in the same patch of wildflowers as the Orange Sulphur.

Phaon Crescent butterfly at Tishomingo NWR, Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge, OklahomaPhaon Crescent butterfly at Tishomingo NWR – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2500, ISO 1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Phaon Crescent butterflies are dainty little things with checkered wings. I saw several of them nectaring on Upright Prairie Coneflowers at the refuge, along with many other butterflies that I have yet to photograph and identify.

This patch of wildflowers, and the butterflies in it, are quickly becoming a favorite sight for me at Tishomingo NWR.

Life is good.

Mia

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