Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : Brephidium exilis

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Southern Butterfly Migrations in the Great Basin

Autumn Flight of Painted Ladies and Pygmy Blues

Autumn 2013 in the western portion of the Great Basin Desert has been very mild, following the record breaking heat of summer. The warm days and cool nights have extended the growing season well into November, which is very unusual for this part of the U. S.

With so many flowers in bloom and the milder temperatures, I was beginning to fear that the Painted Lady butterflies were not going to show this year.

Suddenly, as if on cue and when the days were starting to cool, Painted Ladies, along with the tiny Western Pygmy Blue butterflies were both here in large numbers.

The numerous sightings of painted lady, Vanessa cardui butterflies must be due to the prolific blooms of Rabbitbush and other plants that provide nourishment en route for their southward migration to the wintering habitats.

The Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis) is the smallest butterfly in North America, with a wingspan of only one half inch (1.2 cm), it can easily go unnoticed.

Preferring the Saltbush as its host plant and the alkali soil, it's no wonder the Western Pygmy Blue thrives in such great numbers around Walker Lake.

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.

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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http://www.bonnierannald.com/

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Thursday, October 4, 2012

Western Pigmy Blue Butterfly

North America's Smallest Butterfly

During the early morning on October first, I was enjoying my coffee while sitting outside by a lantana bush when I noticed a tiny set of blue wings on one of the leaves. A closer look revealed a very small Western Pigmy Blue Butterfly. The western pigmy blue butterfly, Brephidium exilis is the smallest butterfly species in North America, with a wingspan that measures from 5 to 7 millimeters.

Preferring warm salty areas, the western pygmy blue can be found in the Southwestern States of Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas. Over the last few summers, I have noticed more of these butterflies which may be due to the increased levels of salinity in Walker Lake.

After changing my camera lens to the Nikon macro 150mm 2.8, I began taking close ups while the butterfly was still. The air temperature was was cool and butterflies need the sunlight on their wings to warm-up before they can start to fly.

When the sun rose higher in the sky the butterfly slowly stirred from its leaf and moved to the lantana flower. As a reference to how small this butterfly is, the entire lantana flower only measures approximately 3 centimeters across.