Red Admiral

My vacation home gave me more than just time with family and friends. It was also a chance to be in South Carolina during the warmer part of the year. For the past couple of years I've only visited during the winter holidays and haven't had the chance to explore the green forests all in bloom. With the warm weather there were butterflies everywhere. One of the most striking members of the Brushfoot family graced me with its presence and allowed me to snap a few photos.

The Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) is an easily recognizable butterfly in North America. The caterpillar hosts on nettles and the adults prefer sap flows on trees, fermenting fruit, and bird droppings; visiting flowers only when these are not available. Then they will nectar at common milkweed, red clover, aster, and alfalfa, among others. I love the black fuzzy body and the bright blue markings on the hindwing. Check it out for yourself.