A - Z Challenge 2015 - Butterflies 'U'

U - USA Butterflies 

I get the chance to photograph butterflies whenever I visit my daughter's home in Michigan. However her dogs do not cooperate as I'm expected to hit tennis balls for them to fetch whenever I'm outside.

Unfortunately the butterflies I see like the flowers on the bed of chives which is where golden retriever, Lily, hides her stash of balls.

I have successfully identified three species but am left with two that I have not traced so far.

Silver Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus) on chives

This is claimed to be the most recognised skipper in North America.

The Red Spotted Purple (Limentis arthemis) or White Admiral mimics the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail; I haven't seen one of those.

Red Spotted Purple (aka White Admiral)

The third butterfly that I am able to name is the -

Pearled Crescent (Pyciodes tharos) on the chives

Then comes the one I hope someone seeing this will be able to tell me what it is.

Any ideas?

Another where we can only see the underside is much plainer. Can anyone help me?

Unfortunately Lily drove it off before I could see its upperside.

Love is like a butterfly
As soft and gentle as a sigh
The multicolored moods of love are like its satin wings
Love makes your heart feel strange inside
It flutters like soft wings in flight
Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing

I feel it when you're with me
It happens when you kiss me
That rare and gentle feeling that I feel inside
Your touch is soft and gentle
Your kiss is warm and tender
Whenever I am with you I think of butterflies

Love is like a butterfly
The multicolored moods of love are like its satin wings
Love makes your heart feel strange inside
It flutters like soft wings in flight
Love is like a butterfly, a rare and gentle thing

Your laughter brings me sunshine
Every day is spring time
And I am only happy when you are by my side
How precious is this love we share

(Someone early yesterday morning was the 200,000 visitor to my blog; thanks to you whoever you were and the other 199,999 over the years.)

I Never Promised You A Rose Garden

As I watch it rain in Michigan I must beg your pardon. I never promised you a rose garden.

The flowers on the chives in the herb garden at my daughter’s home are a favourite with butterflies and dragonflies. I have had to spend time on the web to identify what they are. If I’ve got their names wrong please let me know.

Silver-Spotted Skipper

This butterfly was reluctant to fully open its wings:

Silver-Spotted Skipper

However this little beauty was more obliging:

Pearl Crescent

It was an elegant dragonfly that really caught my eye:

Widow Skimmer

The most prolific dragonfly was this vicious brute seen here on a post to the deck at the back of the house:

Chalk-Fronted Corporal

 This was more at home on a rock by the lake:

Chalk-Fronted Corporal

What looked like blue-flying matchsticks just stayed on the reeds. It was only when you look closer you can see they are stripped.

Double-Stripped Bluet

Meanwhile the roses in the bed in the centre of the back paddock are ignored by butter- and dragonflies alike.

“I beg your pardon.

I never promised you a rose garden.”

You will have to make do with these pictures instead.