I am going to give my Butterfly ID skills another shot today. Notice how the title ends in a question mark demonstrating my level of confidence.
While hiking the same trail as the one we spotted the Police Car Moths there were many of what look to be Cabbage White females fluttering by looking for just the right flower but never seeming to land. Finally one touched down near us on a nice fresh patch of wild Asters. We snuck up close and then just one more step closer before she flew away. Chasing butterflies is not such a bad way to spend the afternoon even for a grown-up.
Have a great weekend.
nature has no boss 
Hi Mike,
Yes, I’ve spent many a happy minute or two (though it seems like hours) chasing butterflies. The white and yellow ones are the hardest to catch, (as I find they rarely stop), so well done for capturing this one. And I’m afraid my knowledge of them is pretty weak, so I can’t help with the identification I’m afraid. But it’s definitely white ! 🙂
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I’m not much good at identifying butterflies either, but your recent photographs have been great – seems like an excellent way to spend time!
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Hi, in the past my ID for most butterflies has been limited to that a cool looking butterfly. It is fun to photograph them and the fact that most we see are perched on flowers makes it pretty easy. If the butterfly flies away you still have a picture of a nice wildflower. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
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Butterflies are tough! But I love the challenge. Since your butterfly doesn’t have a spot on the wing and it’s late summer, I’m thinking it’s a Margined Mustard White. I agree it’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! 🙂
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Thanks and thanks again for the input on the ID. This one looked identical to many cabbage white females I found on the internet and as you point out pretty identical t the mustard whites as well. This butterfly business is tough. Hope your weekend is full of fun.
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Oh to have time to chase butterflies… great captures.
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Thanks and hope your weekend is full of butterfly chasing.
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Thanks Mike. You too!!
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Your welcome and I plan on it.
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Never has a cabbage white looked so angelic, Mike. Fantastic photos.
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Thanks Jet hope your weekend is full of fun.
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Cabbage white for sure. Sexing it? Up to you…I’ve no clue.
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Hi In the photos I reviewed to find the species all the cabbage whites shown as female had no spots just like this one. But in the end it is just my best guess.
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Chasing butterflies, and a wonderful photo result.
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Thanks LB, these whites we very difficult to photograph as they only occasionally took a break from flying.
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Lovely shot, Mike, as always. I don’t know butterflies at all. In looking through my photos, all of the cabbage whites that I’ve taken while birding have dark spots. According to my birding instructor, who dabbles in butterflies, the male cabbage white has one spot on each forewing and the female has two spots. Not sure if your shot is a spotless cabbage white (they could be different in different areas), or something else. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi and thanks for all the info. My first methods of ID for butterflies is to look at photos on the web and I bet half of the photos I look at are given the wrong name. I really should get/download a guide book or better yet find a skilled person to learn form. Thanks again for your input I really appreciate it and it aids in my learning about butterfly/moth ID. Hope your weekend is going well.
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I’ve been working mostly on bird IDs lately, and keep thinking I need to learn more about butterflies, too. But that’s what I love about what we do — always some new discovery. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Thanks.
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HI Chris, yes indeed their is a lifetime of learning to do and it is so much fun to be doing it. Photography really helps me in learning because I can take a photo them focus on identifying what I have seen.
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