Great Spangled Fritillary

Now that the planters are finally restocked with annuals and the hanging baskets are up around the deck, there’s a feeling of summer in the air. And today the butterflies made their presence known, hovering around the yard and savoring the nectar that’s in such abundance. While the swallowtails seem shy and flutter off when I approach with the camera, the Great Spangled Fritillary almost modeled for me. This one even paused feeding to gaze at the lens, perhaps seeing its reflection. There’s nothing like a willing subject to make a photographer’s day complete.