Lillian Stokes, that is. Not only did she co-author my favorite field guide, but I also bought my bird photography camera (Canon SX 50 HS) largely on her recommendation. And now, just today, I got my Stokes Butterfly Book in the mail, which will help me identify the beauties that have been flitting about my front yard flowers.
Like this Tiger Swallowtail, which happens to be the butterfly featured on the book’s cover.
I haven’t read far enough to know if this is a “she” or a “he”, but for now, we’ll call her a she because of her loveliness. Some butterflies are a little less glamorous – more moth-like – we’ll call them “he’s”, okay? 
She loved hanging out on this orange flower (can you tell that my next purchase should be a flower identification guide?) but also took some time to investigate the Sunflowers. 
There is a section in the book on gardening to attract butterflies, which I am looking forward to reading. I’m thinking next season I will bribe my hubby (he likes my bribes 🙂 ) to purposefully plant flowers that lure these lovelies to our yard.
By the way…if you’re considering buying a camera for bird photography, check out this Stokes Birding Blog post.
Backyard Bird Nerd 
These pictures are amazing! We’ve always loved butterflies! Feel free to check out our blog, http://www.twinspiration.co 🙂
Thank you for identifying this lovely butterfly! I found a dead one in our backyard recently, missing some of its back wing. I put it in a plastic bag for further ID. So I appreciate this post! Your photos are delightful Kathy! I may have to get your book on butterflies! 😊
My pleasure! I love when a butterfly shows up and I get to take its picture, so I figured I might as well learn their real names instead of saying, “Oooh…look at the pretty yellow one.” 🙂
Beautiful butterfly and beautiful pics Kathy. I use to have a butterfly collection as a young boy, mounting them in shirt boxes. As a young scientist I had my microscope and butterfly books unwittingly I was preparing for my future, and I continue to work as a scientist with microscope, but not with butterflies. I sense you are on a personal journey also with your nature appreciation and photography, which may bring new horizons to you which you had not previously envisaged.
The nature photography was an unexpected gift to me – a sweet and timely blessing. 🙂
so beautiful!
Stunning!! I think your birds are going to have some “photo-shoot time” competition… 😉
I think I probably look pretty ridiculous trying to take the butterfly’s picture…I flit about as much as they do, trying to follow them from one flower to the next. 🙂
You’ve outdone yourself here, Kathy! Positively stunning and so crystal clear and sharp! I love all of them but the fourth shot is particularly lovely and the last one with the sunflower made my jaw drop!! You go, girl!
And thanks for that link to Lillian’s blog! I read the post and actually learned a couple more things! 🙂 I sat there reading it with my camera and messed with the settings and then also brought up my manual to check a couple other things. Very helpful indeed!!
I had pretty much decided on the SX 50 and then read her blog and that sealed the deal. Glad you checked it out. 🙂
Beautiful pictures! Although I’m a terrible gardener we have specifically chosen plants which attract bees and butterflies, it’s very therapeutic watching them on a lazy, sunny afternoon. You can sit yourself down with your camera and a glass of Pimms and snap away.
I am a terrible gardener too. Pretty sure I could kill a plastic plant. I leave the flowers to my hubby. 🙂