"The wingspan can reach 76 mm. These butterflies are found from the tundra areas to the subtropics. Females lay one egg each on nettle leaves, which serves as a food for hatched caterpillars. Before turning into a chrysalis, they fold the nettle leaf into a "bag" and entangle it with a silk thread. Unlike many other butterflies, red admirals prefer gum from trees and the juice of rotting fruit to nectar". (wiki)
Butterfly invasion continues for several days. They are everywhere:
on a Physocarpus opulifolius bush,
on a drainpipe,
on a water barrel,
on a greenhouse,
on an old towel,
on a Elaeagnus argentea bush, etc.
I've taken macros to see a head and a body of Red Admiral. Watching close I guess it looks like an alien.
Here is a vase with Callistephus and Cineraria leaves:
If your garden is going to be invaded then I think these are very welcome invaders and I am sure they bring you happiness. Enjoy them while you may because autumn is looming quickly.
ReplyDeleteYou're right David. autumn quickly comes I think butterflies are feeling this summer ends and hurry to enjoy it.
DeleteНадежда очаровательная бабочка!Прекрасные фотографии.
ReplyDeleteУ нас этих бабочек не много,,пролетают иногда,,мне они очень нравятся за красоту..
Удивительные бабочки и в большом количестве поселились в моем саду в это лето, Надежда. Красиво видеть как мелькают их пестрые крылышки.
DeleteBeautiful visitor!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is Endah.
DeleteA lot of butterflies is so much fun. I have had them for years in the garden. But this year, I have not seen more than two. Probably they are all in your garden Nedesda! Groetjes Hetty
ReplyDeleteHa ha, maybe, Hetty! But what special did they find in my garden? However they are everywhere.
DeleteA delightful invasion of beauty and you took great pictures. Your arrangement is very pretty!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked my vase, thank you Peter!
DeleteYou are very lucky, Nadezda! I usually have them here too, but not this summer. Maybe they have flown to you :)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos!
Happy new week, hugs!
Marit, I think butterfly's move depends on the temperatures that have been unusual this summer months.
DeleteOr maybe they all are in my garden :-)
It's such a beautiful butterfly. Have a nice new day Nadezda!
ReplyDeleteBellissime! Nell'altro terreno ce ne sono molte ma non sono mai riuscito a fotografarle :D
ReplyDeleteBuona serata e complimenti!
Glad you liked my photos of a lot of butterflies, pontos.
DeleteWe only see the occasional red admiral. Our most prolific butterflies are the large and small whites that are always trying to devastate our brassicas. I think many film aliens and monsters are inspired by insects.
ReplyDeleteI agree Sue, many insects look like aliens. We only have to observe them closely.
DeleteBeautiful photos, Nadezda! I love butterflies.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week
So do I Tania, gracias!
DeleteMuy bonitas fotografías. Está mariposa también se ve por aquí. Besitos.
ReplyDeleteSi Teresa estas mariposas se ven en muchas partes de Europa, gracias.
DeleteYou are so lucky. I haven't seen one Red Admiral this year, plenty common whites and peacocks. Your pictures are extremely good. The weather has turned cooler here, hope we get a reasonable spell in September.
ReplyDeleteAlistair, autumn is not far and the weather changes here too. But butterflies are still in my garden, until cool days I suppose. I haven't seen peacocks this summer at all.
DeleteRed Admirals are one of my favourite butterflies, but I have only seen a few. You're so lucky to see a whole lot of them. Earlier in the Spring I saw many butterflies (though not Red Admirals) and it did my heart good.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am Jenny. Black with red strips and white points wings appear in the parts of the garden, it's beautiful.
DeleteNadezda -- You got some great close-ups of the Red Admiral. I was so surprised to see how HAIRY he is.
ReplyDeleteSo did I, he is hairy and big-eyed.
DeleteWe have lot of red admirals in our garden too! It is fun to have butterflies in garden! We also had quite a lot of peacocks, fritillarias and cabbage whites this year.
ReplyDeleteYes it's fun, Tistou. I think flocks of Red admiral decided to visit the Baltic area and our gardens:-)
DeleteYour photos are beautiful Nadezda. How lucky you are to have so many Red Admirals come and visit. Will the caterpillars damage your plants?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the week-end.
Fortunately Red admiral caterpillars grow on nettle leaves, Betty. There are no nettle in my garden so I can't understand where they are from:-)
DeleteGreat photos, Nadezda!
ReplyDeleteWe too had a sunny and warm summer, but I haven't seen any Vanessas. Now the weather is cooler and rainier and it feels very nice. :)
My first comment disappeared (probably because of some network problems). I hope this one comes through.
Can you imagine: I didn't buy anything in Kew, because of time and space issues. :)
Have a happy weekend!
Sara, the weather here is the same yours. I think butterflies will disappear soon, but they still are in the garden. It's a pity you haven't bought souvenirs in Kew shop...so the next time!
DeleteGreat photos! We have the same butterfly here! Sometimes they land right on my shirt.
ReplyDeleteWow, Jason! The butterflies are timid here.
DeleteStunning pictures of a wonderful butterfly!Love your floral bouquet too!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked my pictures,
Deletethanks for stopping by, Maristella:
We have seen similar butterflies here, only orange. You have some amazing close-up shots of these lovely pollinators. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Lee.
DeleteInterestingly to see orange Admirals!
Bellisimas fotos Nadezda. Me encantan las mariposas.
ReplyDeleteRegresando de un verano muy complicado. Ya todo está bien.
Besos.
Me gusta leer que estás bien, Laura.
DeleteBesos!
Preciosas fotos Nadezda, esta es una hermosa mariposa y que aquí también abunda. Besos.
ReplyDeleteSi, es muy preciosa, Lola. Y esta aqui un monton de estas!
Delete