We were up high in the mountains a week or two ago and much to our surprise there were numerous butterflies going about their business even as the nights have been cold and the flowers have long died out for this season. Must be slim pickings this time of year for this wonderful comma butterfly foraging on Lichen, Rocks and Spruce.
Photographed near treeline in Rocky Mountain National Park.
A corn ear worm moth spending time with one of our favorite late bloomers in the area the Rabbit Brush plant. Love the beautiful yellows of this plant in bloom and it looks like the moth does as well.
Perched upon a Coneflower full of Pollen this Bee is indeed on top of their world. Better hurry the flowers are going fast.
Honey bee, oh honey bee, bring some sweet nectar back to me.
Out in the coneflowers this summer we have counted perhaps up to 8-10 different varieties of bees buzzing around all at once. This was one I have only seen once or twice and he is just a little guy but looks like a mighty little guy given the amount of pollen he has collected to bring back to the hive.
This small butterfly easily less than .5 inches in size spent quite some time sipping nectar from these small flowers which the bess and other butterflies passed right on by. Sometimes smaller is better especially when you have a whole field of nectar to yourself.
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.
A Comma Butterfly playing a wonderful game of now you see me now you don’t. Photographed along the rustlers gulch trail in central Colorado.
A Tri-Colored Bumble Bee getting acquainted with a Purple Coneflower. Although the introductions were awkward the date was a success.
This little butterfly made a short visit to these small plants for just a quick sip of nectar. That tongue was digging deep but perfectly designed to do the job. Amazing.
nature has no boss 
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