From Here to There to Vi's Place

Where Art Meets the Heart

Butterflies

Nature Photography, up close - By Phil

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PURPOSE:
This image gallery has been created to assist visitors with butterfly, moth and caterpillar identification, specifically those in Douglas County, Oregon - basically, everything that shows up in and around my yard. These butterflies, moths and caterpillars are also found in many other parts of the U.S., and therefore the images should help in the identification of these species outside this area, as well. Please note that I have not yet captured images of all butterflies, moths and caterpillars in this area, but rest assured, as I take images of additional species, they will be added to the gallery.

PHOTOGRAPHIC LOCATION:
All butterfly, moth and caterpillar images were taken in Northern Douglas County, Elkton, Oregon.

DATES:
The date each photograph was taken appears under each thumbnail.

CAMERA SETTINGS:
Camera settings for each image are provided on the enlargement page for that image. To view an enlargement, click the thumbnail image you wish to see enlarged.

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Contained on this page are thumbnail links to the following Butterflies:

California Sister - Adelpha bredowii
Common Wood Nymph - Cercyonis Pegala
Ochre (Common) Ringlet - Coenonympha Tullia
Orange Sulphur - Colias Eurytheme
Monarch - Danaus plexippus
Lorquin's Admiral - Limenitis Lorquini
Lilac-bordered Copper - Lycaena Nivalis
California Tortoiseshell - Nymphalis californica
Pale Swallowtail - Papilio Eurymedon
Two-tailed Swallowtail - Papilio Multicaudata
Clodius Parnassian - Parnassius Clodius
Mylitta Crescent - Phyciodes Mylitta
Cabbage White - Pieris Rapae
Gray Hairstreak - Strymon Melinus
Red Admiral - Vanessa Atalanta

Skippers
Sachem - Atalopedes Campestris
Woodland Skipper - Ochlodes Sylvanoides
Northern Cloudywing - Thorybes Pylades

And Moths:

Red-Shouldered Ctenucha - Ctenucha Rubroscapus

Clear-wing Moths
Raspberry Crown Borer - Pennisetia marginata
Strawberry Crown Borer - Synathedon bibionipennis

Sphinx, Hawk and Hummingbird Moths
White-lined Sphinx - Hyles lineata

Tiger Moths
Great Tiger Moth - Arctia caja

And Caterpillars:

Silver Spotted Tiger Moth - Lophocampa argentata

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To view an enlargement, click the image

Papilio Eurymedon
Pale Swallowtail

This is actually a hybrid of a Pale and Tiger Swallowtail. It is uncommon and a rare find.

Elkton, Oregon
05/19/08

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To view an enlargement, click the image

Papilio Multicaudata
Two-tailed Swallowtail

Elkton, Oregon
07/21/07

Elkton, Oregon
06/17/08

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To view an enlargement, click the image

Parnassius Clodius
Clodius Parnassian

Sumner, Oregon
06/19/06

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To view an enlargement, click the image

Limenitis Lorquini
Lorquin's Admiral

Elkton, Oregon
06/11/07

Elkton, Oregon
06/18/06

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To view an enlargement, click the image

Adelpha Bredowii
California Sister

Elkton, Oregon
08/11/07

Elkton, Oregon
06/20/07

Elkton, Oregon
08/11/07

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To view an enlargement, click the image

Nymphalis californica
California Tortoiseshell

When these butterflies showed up, it appeared as though there was a migration. One day, the first one appeared, followed by several others. Within days, there was a steady stream coming in from the northeast, heading southwest. The passage lasted about 2 weeks, with the peak being about 10 days after they showed up. On a prolific day, I'd see 50 or more fly through every hour. Surprisingly, very few actually stopped for a rest or refreshment. I also noticed, of the few that did land, they only stayed for a few seconds, and none raised their wings high enough to get any decent side images.