A Butterfly

So, today I am, like others here along the South Carolina coast, waiting to see if Hurricane Lee does indeed make the predicted turn to the north.

While that turn north would make me happy, it would also mean that it likely would head to the Gulf of Maine coast, where so many of my friends live. They have had the wettest spring/summer on record, so the ground is soft and already wet. It is still raining every day or every few days in coastal Maine, say my friends. High wind would likely topple trees–so my Maine friends are worried.

I’ve seen quite a few of these beautiful butterflies soaring around my flowering beds in recent weeks.

What interesting patterns on the wing undersides:

It’s a Variegated Fritillary:

Variegated Fritillary. Identifying Characteristics: Variegated Fritillary butterflies have a wingspan of 1.75 to 2.25 inches. The coloring of this species is tawny brown to burnt orange with black dots and lines.

38 Common Butterflies found in South Carolina! (2023)