Great Spangled Fritillary

Not much time for photography today, but after tossing all the bumblebee frames, I had a skipper and this gorgeous Great Spangled Fritillary. I really like the “texture” on the wings.

With thanks to
• Carolyn White, http://365project.org/cjwhite
• Jeanne Wacker and
• Gardens With Wings, http://www.gardenswithwings.com/butterfly/Great%20Spangled%20Fritillary/index.html
for helping with the identification!

Confirmed at BAMONA as “Speyeria cybele” or “Great Spangled Fritillary”; http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/724341

Perhaps an appropriate butterfly on Flag Day in the States?

A year ago (“‘Rose bokeh’?”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-06-14

[Carolyn White]

Gorgeous capture! Fav! :0)

[Betsy]

Fantastic detailed shot! It looks like it's slurping through a straw! :)

[Caryn]

This is just beautiful...incredible detail.

[Ellen E]

beautiful. nice dof

[Kate Klinck]

wonderful Thom!!!!

[Ann Stenson]

Thom these butterfly shots of yours are just incredible!! : )

[Michelle]

Simply beautiful

[Keith Richards]

Nice capture.

[Livia]

Great capture! Love the beautiful colors!

[Thom Mitchell]

@betsyg Thank you, Betsy! For a long time I didn't use my 55-250mm lens very much, but MaryBeth has me keeping it much more at the ready, if not already mounted. @espyetta
Alternative title considered: "Dude! Do you mind? I'm nectaring here!"

[Thom Mitchell]

@cjwhite Aww, thank you, Carolyn! And thank you for fav!

[Rick Schies]

the coloring is fabulous Thom, so rich and she is a beauty

[Lisa Pouncy]

Fabulous xx

[Thom Mitchell]

@cmc1200 @ellen @harley84 @annbo @michelleyoung @kaynadog @myautofocuslife @digitalrn @psychographer Thank you, everyone! There was no question what to post today! This variety does not have the white spots on the tops of the wings, so this lovely creature was considerate (or just showing off?) showing the white spots on the underside.

[Kerri]

Beautiful! Fav

[Thom Mitchell]

@kerristephens Aww; thanks, Kerri, for a fav!

[Sabine]

I love the textured wings too ... The light is fab as well. Great butterfly shot.

[Elizabeth Youngs]

Another stunning shot! Great detail and texture!

[Ruth Moucharafieh]

beautiful capture, nice detail Thom.

[Heidi]

Wow another gorgeous butterfly shot!! Another fav for me!

[jerry plume]

Gorgeous capture!

[Joyce Wells]

Instant fav, Thom! Love the clarity and details - the wings look like they're made of velvet! You're on a roll with your butterfly shots! :) BTW - I checked back on your post from a year ago. I do remember that song, and I also remember trying to keep up with the lyrics when it came to the part of the song when it went really fast ..."I can dig it, he can dig, she can dig, we can dig it".... love that song!

[Angelique]

Beautiful! The clarity is perfect!

[Chris]

wow your photos give me an inspiration!

[Thom Mitchell]

@sabine Thanks so much. I didn't even really appreciate the texture of the wings until I saw the images, especially this one, on the monitor. It's amazing sometimes what the camera sees that we don't!

[Thom Mitchell]

@chauncygirl @sparkleplenty1 Thanks so much for FAV'ing. You two both post such amazing images, I am humbled. Truly! (Thanks for your added comment on "Grazin' in the Grass", Joyce! It made me smile ... and think those quick lyrics in my head, of course!)

@lyoungs1023 @ruthmouch @orangecrush @angeliquenordal @chrismarfil Thank you, all! I rather like this one and will submit it to the "jury" for hanging in the downstairs hallway! ;)

[Elizabeth Youngs]

@rhoing Lol...Good luck!