Friday, September 7, 2012

The Checkered White Butterfly

In the heart of Tucson during an overcast day, I discovered a white light sight fluttering about the wildflowers along the Santa Cruz river.
I didn't know what it was.  I had never seen it before....until now.  Can butterflies, like birds, be said to be "lifers"?
I was alone.  There was a slight breeze as I stood at amazement of this graceful dancer from flower top to flower top.
People think the desert to be harsh and void of life, but it's not.  Especially not now with the dwindling monsoon storms.  The rain makes everything green and alive.
I forgot about my stresses for the day and was in complete "WOW!" of this butterfly.  In some places this a protected species. And just when you've thought you seen it all......
Checkered White Butterfly

27 comments:

  1. Hello,
    This is amazing, what a wonderful shots!! Beautiful colors and a beautiful background. Fantastic how you've done this. Great captured.

    Greetings, Marco

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  2. Chris, Over here and in dull times the birders twitch moths, butterflies, animals and cetaceans. When I looked at your pictures I wondered if that butterfly is adapted to feed on white flowers especially where it is less likely to be seen and predated by birds and bigger insects? Just a thought. Nice lifer though.

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  3. Chris, these are awesome shots of the White Checkered Butterfly. I would think a new butterfly sighting could be called a lifer, why not? This one would be a lifer for me, it is beautiful as are your photos. Have a great weekend!

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  4. Beautiful butterfly Chris - lovely to see it fluttering among the flowers. I count new butterfly species seen as "lifers" :) Isn't it wonderful how with nature you can so often see something unexpected :)

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  5. What a wonderful, beautiful butterfly!

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  6. 彡♡` Olá, amiga!

    Série de imagens muito bonita!!!
    A borboleta se confunde com as flores.

    Lindo dia!
    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos.
    Brasil ♡彡.
    ¸.•°`♥✿⊱╮

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  7. Magical sight for sure! The colours of the plant are reflected in the butterfly's wings, nature's such a wonderful painter :)

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  8. You're right Chris, if you take the time to look around you there is always something to see..maybe not as exquisite and ethereal as this White Checkered Butterfly, but beautiful in other ways.

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  9. really beautiful! love its more subtle coloration, but no less striking!

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  10. Chris, these are lovely shots. It looks so delicate. I know what you mean about getting lost in the moment and all your cares and worries just go away. I love that time spent with nature and a camera. Happy Friday!

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  11. Beautiful photos with the white butterfly on the matching flowers. The desert is a special place.

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  12. I think butterflies can be lifers too. Nice shots. And very peaceful to be chasing butterflies.

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  13. i wonder that too chris. sometimes i'll see a bird...or a butterfly...i've never seen before, i guess that WOULD be considered a lifer though! there's always that FIRST time!!

    lovely butterfly...and the wildflowers...i can see why you were captivated...beautiful shots!!!

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  14. Beautiful! I have never seen a white butterfly, love it!

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  15. I love all the Butterfly species Chris, nice to see what you get there :-)

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  16. Great post, awesome photos and text!
    Love butterflies and the white you show is beautiful. My butterfly bush is now blooming, but I've only seen a few butterflies. I guess it's the cold, windy weather and of course all the rain.
    Love the owl in your header.
    Wish you a wonderful weekend, Chris.
    Mette

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  17. Wow Kreesh, this is a different one i haven't seen in most blogs from the temperate climate! But it looks so small. We have lots of small butterflies too, but i can't easily take their photos. I can only take the bigger ones. If only we are nearer, I am inviting you so we can shoot butterflies in the property here, there's a lot! You wont think of any stress anymore!

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  18. It's beautiful. I too can forget stresses when looking at your lovely butterfly.

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  19. Beautiful photos of a beautiful creature. Nice job. The colors in the background compliment the subject so well. These are really pretty.

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  20. Beautiful! I haven't found a white checkered yet, but I'm on the lookout as it's always exciting to see a new (to me) butterfly.

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  21. I must admit, I don't think of butterflies when I think of the dessert. These are lovely :)

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  22. What a pretty butterfly it is Chris, it reminds me of a cross between our Marbled White and our Green-veined White. I believe it is actually in the same family as the latter. Yes, you must definitely say it is a lifer, I do when I see a new (to me) one. Lovely photos of it!

    Catching up with your last post, I have to tell you I have just fallen in love... with Lucifer!!!...and I never thought I would utter those words! ;-) Oh my goodness, Chris, I am blown away by its beauty. I have adored every hummer you have ever shown us but that one is simply gorgeous! It is that stunning purple coloured throat, absolutely mesmerising!

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  23. Beautiful photos of Checkered Whites, you got the name backwards. Out your way these are common. Here is the eastern US they are uncommon to rare.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for very much for the clarification. Made the corrections. During my read, I read that they are threatened in some areas back East. Hopefully they can restore some of the plants and areas that these butterflies like. Beautiful butterfly.

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