> Virtual walk > May 24 > Red Admiral Butterfly

Planting of the butterfly garden at the top of the hill will be completed this spring. In the meantime, one of the most plentiful early butterflies on the trail is the Red Admiral Butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) pictured here. Several examples of this species can usually be seen near where the ditch full of iris crosses the path. This one was resting on the ground just south of the Red-osier Dogwood we just passed.

The butterfly at the right is also a Red Admiral, but with its wings folded together. In this position, it almost disappears on the ground as it blends in with the colour of the dirt, or looks much like a dead leaf as it does on this plant in the field south of the bark mulch path. If you still can't quite make out where the body of the butterfly is, look for the antennae's white tips near the bottom of the picture.

Next stop: Ducklings