Red-spotted Purple

Red-spotted Purple on September 4, 2022. Howard County Bird Club had our annual Dick Smith Memorial Butterfly Walk at the Elkhorn Garden Plots this morning. Our group of about 17 meandered around the plots looking for interesting butterflies. Nothing rare was seen. It was a hot morning so that may have had an effect on the butterflies we saw.

We had a group of 7 left around noon and wandered into the large garden plot enclosure which is a gated open-space with no individual enclosures. One Red-spotted Purple was seen before our walk started but was in bad light. Someone yelled one was in good light nearby. I stood for a few minutes photographing it and waited for it to close its wings. Their wing color is not as dramatic in dull light so I appreciated that the sun was behind me while photographing. Red-spotted Purples are beautiful butterflies and one of my favorites.

Lens - Tamron 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 @ 600mm on Nikon D500