Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui

Spring Migration, 2012

Over the week of March 25--30, 2012, I have been noticing a large number of Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies in my yard at Walker Lake, Nevada. For this time of year, the temperatures have been very mild, ranging from the high 60's (15.6 c) during the day and only dropping to the 40's (4.4c) at night.  Walker Lake is located in Northern Nevada, in the Great Basin Desert, 38.71N and 118.72W at an elevation of approximately 4,300 feet (1310.64m).

The Painted Ladies are migratory, beginning their northern trek from Baja California up through the northwestern states in the early spring, when the temperatures warm and wildflowers become abundant.   Their numbers appear to increase every four, five or six years when there has been a good breeding season which is contingent on the rainfall and available food source.   

During migration the Painted Ladies do not stop along the way, flying at night, in straight lines over obstacles and not around them, burning their larval fat as an energy source.  Neither battered nor torn wings keep these amazing creatures from fulfilling their destiny within their two week lifespan. 

The Painted Lady has two eyes that are composed of 10,000 lenses. 

 The proboscis or tongue is used for drinking nectar; however the Painted Lady tastes thought its feet.   

Although the Painted Lady butterfly is the most widespread butterfly in the world, its numbers are decreasing in the United States due to loss of habitat and climate changes. 

For more information on the Painted Lady, please visit the following links:

http://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/node/446
http://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/Article/painted-lady-butterfly

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

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