Insect Habitat

These photos were taken on Thursday morning, after a heavy rainfall the night before. It has been a wet and cool month for us, with some "below average" temperatures.

On this particular bright sunny morning, I was digging over the compost when I spotted a butterfly fluttering nearby. I had seen it a couple of times before, and once in my garden. I guess it was my lucky day as the butterfly was still in the same area when I came back with my camera.

After I found out its name, I thought, "How appropriate." It really does have a commanding presence.

I've only seen one of the Admiral butterflies in the yard so far, but that may be because the males are very territorial. From my bug book, Garden Bugs of British Columbia, Elmhirst, Fry, Macaulay: "Each one surveys his territory from his high perch and will swoop down to fight and drive off any other male who wanders in."

It first landed here

White Admiral (L. arthemis)

and then moved to this sunlit spot.

White Admiral on Oregon Grape

A little later, while walking around, I saw the Damselfly.

Bluet Damselfly

Insect Habitat

This is our weedy path that we take to go

into the forest. All the insects love this one
particular sunny spot. The unidentified
butterfly and the damselfly were found here.
All I have to do is stand on this path and
hope that some delicate butterfly will land so
I can take a picture. Sometimes I've used up
most of my patience and also swatted away
many, many mosquitoes before this happens.
But, oh the glee and satisfaction when I come
away with one or two photos.

May 30/08

Forlorn looking butterfly.
I only noticed his damaged wings
when he stopped to rest.

June 2/08

This is another one of the same species,
but in rather better condition, photo
taken yesterday.

May 31/08

Crane Fly, also know as Daddy Longlegs

River Trail, June 1/08

I wonder if this is a Mourning Cloak Butterfly.

June 2/08
Pond Damselfly

I'm not absolutely positive, but I think
(after extensive research) this is a male Subarctic Bluet.
Flight period: B.C., late May to late August.

If you have any information on these butterflies or the damselfly, I'd be ever so grateful for your knowledge.