One of my most appreciated images. I had just arrived at the Wetland Trail at Raccoon Creek State Park. On the horizontal post of a trail marker sign I saw, Oh my goodness! This Tawny Emperor butterfly remained in full pose, as I gently pleaded with it to continue to bask in the warm morning sunshine–enabling me to capture more than a roll full (36) of shots. Then it fled! Eureka! This image was the result.

You never know what’s waiting for you at the trail head. Wings dabbed with golden brushes, spots circled by coral rings, all on wings that look like they’re Asterocampa clyton.

An 11×14 graces the wall of my dining room. It’s matting features a calligraphy of someone whom I admired, it noting roughly, ‘How beautiful are G-d’s creatures.’ I enjoy it daily.

One of the hackberry butterflies, a population of them usually signals the nearby presence of trees.

Jeffrey