The Comma gets its name from the comma shaped marking on it's underside. Taken at Sidings Lane Nature Reserve, Rainford, UK

Wool carder bee

Erynnis tages,The Dingy Skipper butterfly is becoming increasingly rare in the UK

This little lovely is a pipevine swallowtail. No worries about the reddish coloring that can be seen on his body upon close inspection. That is simply part of the "afterbirth".

I raise a few of these beauties along with a variety of others that are prone to overwintering. This one did just that. He has been in chrysalis stage for roughly ten months.

Two were released yesterday, both boys. The first flew away immediately and this one lingered a bit longer, so I was able to snap a couple of shots before his departure.

Unlike monarchs that take several hours to dry before they can fly, the swallowtails are usually ready within an hour or two.

The overwintering population in protective custody is dwindling as the butterflies emerge. There are only five remaining. I am interested in finding out if they are Polydamas or Pipevine Swallowtails.

Both types have been overwintering. And their chrysalis' look the same to me. I am sure a true expert could identify them in the chrysalis stage. I am simply a butterfly enthusiast, so I am no expert.

Have a wonderful Wednesday and happy snapping.

These beauties are a couple of freshies that I released. They were able to fly but chose to hang out a while.

During this time, the beautiful male in the image to the left swooped in and carried one of them away.

It only took a minute for the other beautiful female to be swept off her wings and to the trees.

Have a fantastic day and happy snapping.

That's what the Bumble Bee said to the Skipper Butterfly as he approached the flower. John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum, Philadelphia PA.

Bombus pascuorum collection nectar and pollen from a field scabious

Blackberry feast.

hoverfly in flight looking like it's just dived off a flower

Three Zebra Longwing butterflies cling to an orchid root. They usually find these roots a great place to spend the night. They remain here until the morning temperature warms a little and off they go to start their day among the flowers in my garden and elsewhere.

There are a lot of Zebras flitting about. This is the Florida State Butterfly. I have raised a few but I believe it's time to raise some more. The focus has been on monarchs for the last couple of weeks.

Have a beautiful day and happy snapping.

Epistrophe eligans. Mainly seen in Springtime between April-June. Likes sunny woodland edges and Hedgerows made up of of Blackthorn and Hawthorn. Common throughout uk though more scarce in Northern regions.

hoverfly in flight with a dark background. Manual focus as I find the lens hunts too much and keeps looking at the background. I had to slide the crap out of this as it is highly cropped with a slow lens in poor light.

Something so little holds so much life

A bit like Trump at the moment

Aplocera plagiata or Treble-Bar moth

Maniola jurtina