Readers’ wildlife photographs

I appeal again for your photos, for we’re in danger of running out soon. Now you wouldn’t want that, would you?

We have birds and leps today. First, two bird snaps from reader Cameron Way:

I was in the mountains this weekend and shot some pictures of Mountain Chickadees [Poecile gambeli]. Thought you might enjoy.

And a black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus):

Here’s something a little different that might help alleviate winter doldrums: butterflies! These are early and year-round species from various parts of Arizona. Some are flying right now.

First up is a Queen, Danaus gilippus. This is an apparent Monarch (D. plexippus) mimic, but the caterpillars also feed on milkweeds, and the adults are equally distasteful to predators. This one’s nectaring at a sunflower at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, Arizona. I’ve seen Queens flying in every month of the year, though they’re most numerous from spring through fall.

This is a Spring AzureCelastrina ladon, which, contrary to the name, I photographed in Miller Cañon on the east side of the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista AZ in early September. Spring Azures fly nearly year-round in southern Arizona.

Ceraunus Blue, Hemiargus ceraunus, in Gilbert AZ on the Fourth of July weekend. I was down on my belly in the middle of the trail, but you do what you’ve gotta do. These are very small, with  wingspans of 16-23mm.

Erichson’s White Skipper, Heliopyrgus domicella, at the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum near Superior AZ in late June. This was my life Erichson’s, so I’m glad to get any kind of photograph.

Gulf Fritillary,Agraulis vanillae, at lantana, Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, AZ in late October. These big Tropical beauties occur wherever passion vines Passiflora spp. do in the southern half of the United States, and southward from there.

Tiny Checkerspot Dymasia dymas in Rackensack Gulch north of Carefree AZ in late April. This little guy’s well named, and its wingspan is only in the 21-30mm range.