Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui A blush of gold along thorax and abdomen, and beguiling eyes on an underwing designed to confuse predators. A light wind flutters wings as butterflies nectar on flowers, turning this way and that. Painted ladies may be sitting pretty in classic profile or settled with open wings, rarely for long. They're acrobatic, tipping and tilting as if drunk on nectar, flitting and dipping behind fading flowers.
In close-up, their rich colours, pattern and texture are stunning. Take a look.
In close-up, their rich colours, pattern and texture are stunning. Take a look.
Seven images of painted ladies, then two of a red admiral. The red admiral to the left shows underwing nearest the camera, with the upperwing more brightly coloured. On the final image I liked the way sunlight caught the white edge of the wings. Conventionally, photographs seek to show a butterfly settled: in profile, or wings full-open. This red admiral feeds upside down, so upper and underwing are both presented.
Click on images to show the image entire.
Click on images to show the image entire.
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