This hot dry summer in East Tennessee has been ideal for butterflies. Here are a few sample shots from recent weeks...

Silvery Checkerspots have been especially abundant this year. Here are some enjoying nectar from Common Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, and Mountain Mint.








Thistle blooms are full of nectar, especially attractive to Tiger Swallowtails.




This Spicebush Swallowtail prefers Bee Balm nectar, and sunning on the nearby path.






Now for some butterflies that don't go for nectar. We most see Northern Pearly Eyes feeding at animal droppings, or perching on (or even under!) various forest-edge plants.




Red-Spotted Purples are another species that prefers licking droppings. This one had just finished working on some Red Fox droppings...




And this Eastern Tailed Blue was digesting a meal from some Mink droppings! Notice the little "tails" on the ends of the wings. There are eye spots on the underside of the wing, near those antenna-like tails. Notice also the notch out of the wing - where some bird tried to grab what he thought was the butterfly's head!






Common Wood Nymphs may be common, but my photos of them are not. They are one of our shiest butterflies. Best place to spot them in late summer is near large oak trees, especially those afflicted with Slime Flux disease. The odorous ooze from the diseased trees is a taste treat to these butterflies.






Will end with a few dragonfly shots. Blue Dashers are one of our most common summer dragons. But we rarely spot them while they are mating...




Someone else must have been watching the Dashers. This Big fellow waited on a sunny walnut-leaf perch for quite some time. Then he dashed out and grabbed one of the Blue Dashers. You can see why they are called Dragon Hunters!






Hope you enjoyed these late summer wings! Thanks for any comments & critique.

[kharry2012]

Lovely! Your knowledge of butterflies and native plants is impressive! I am in Atlanta and have been a Georgia native plant enthusiast for years. Spent the morning photographing my smooth sumac, which is flowering now. Manna for the native bee population.

[mole]

KHarry - You are in a great area for diverse native plants. Will definitely agree that smooth sumac is an excellent source of food for many native bees. Hope you will post some of your fine photos soon!

[RonakG]

Simply stunning images. Thanks for sharing.

[Bob Harris]

amazing fly photos, some of the best I 've seen. thanks Ranger for the narrative and great photos.

[Liney]

I can never catch them sitting still long enough to approach them! Fantastic shots, well done. You must have the perfect arrangement in the garden to attract them, bags of patience and move very quietly.

[Heinrich Lohmann]

What a delightful series and thanks for the ID and commentary.