“Vanessa atalanta”

I had [extreme] difficulties trying to identify yesterday’s butterfly post, but not so today! I saw my first Red Admiral (family Nymphalidae, subfamily Nymphalinae) at the lake earlier this month, but I posted a Variegated Fritillary that day — http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-06-03
This is the first Red Admiral I have seen in our back yard garden.

Confirmed at BAMONA as Vanessa atalanta or “Red Admiral”; http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/907766

One year ago (“Wood furniture”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-06-30
Two years ago (“Nature’s own ‘skyward-pointing dish’”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-06-30

[KAL]

Wow! This is a fabulous shot! Fav

[Tara]

I swear, they're posing for you Thom! Another wonderful shot!

[Danette Thompson]

Very pretty. Love the purple flowers.

[Thom Mitchell]

@kathyladley Thanks for the FAV and follow, Kathy!
@tara11 For each of the posted butterfly images, Tara, there are many, many more images in my computer's Recycle Bin!
@danette Thanks so much, Danette! This butterfly was particularly fun to watch in flight. There are virtually no bright colors on the undersides of the wings, so you see the orange "flashing" as they fly!

[Deanna Russell]

Beautiful! You have quite the butterfly collection. I must say I am a bit envious! I think I must keep my eye on you...Haha! Keep up the good work!

[MaryBeth Dailey]

I agree with Tara. They POSE! Lucky you

[Thom Mitchell]

@drussell It has been truly astonishing how many species of butterflies visit our garden and the campus garden near where I *now* park! In the morning now, I park where I park so that I pass by the greenhouse-and-garden walking to-and-from my office. Taking advice from @espyetta, I now leave my long lens on by default. I have to switch to a shorter lens if I go inside the greenhouse, but who needs to go in the greenhouse when there's so much going on *outside* the greenhouse?!? But I digress. I registered (free account) at http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/ and post photos there for identification. I mis-identified so many butterflies and moths at first, but I'm getting better. After mis-identifying the first of the year this year, I've hit 9 out of 10 where I thought I knew the right species. (In some cases, especially with moths, I'm only confident down to genus.) Butterflies in particular are like the "365 project" in general: it's amazing what you start to see if you're willing to pay attention and spend some time at getting better. :)

[Thom Mitchell]

@espyetta @tara11 In this case, it's actually true. I didn't need many frames to get what I needed. I didn't post this one to BAMONA as I thought I had a better one for diagnostic purposes.

[Thom Mitchell]

@drussell And if you're lucky enough, your photos will even appear on the ButterfliesAndMoths.org web site: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/photographers/Thom-Mitchell
I didn't know about the photographer page until tonight when I was looking for the name of my regional coordinator who has been so patient with me!