MO
Lotus Lovelies
These floral lovelies were found blooming on the edge of a pond in northwest Missouri.
I first thought these flowers were water-lilies. Then I saw online that the leaves of lotus flowers rise above the water level while water-lily leaves are found floating on the surface of the water. The same holds true for their flowers; lotus flowers bloom above the water and water-lily blooms float on the water. Clearly, these blooms were well above any water by a couple of feet or more. Whatever you call them, they are lovely.
You can view a larger, more detailed version of this photo by clicking on it.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
Paper Kite
This beautiful, high-contrast butterfly is known by the name, Paper Kite. It’s technical name is Idea Leuconoe. The name game doesn’t stop there, either. It’s also called a Wood Nymph butterfly, Large Tree Nymph butterfly or simply, Rice Paper butterfly.
The Paper Kite has a weak, fluttery flight interspersed with gliding due to the high ratio of their wing-size to body-size. You would think, with their bright color and bold pattern, they would easily fall victim to predators, but like monarch butterflies, they are poisonous or highly unpalatable and are not often attacked.
The Paper Kite’s natural territory is Southeast Asia. Apparently, it is a common resident in butterfly greenhouses and live butterfly expositions. I found this one at the Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure in Branson, MO.
You can view a larger version of this image by simply clicking on it.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.
Fiesta Butterfly
The intricacy and beauty of nature continually affirms the concept of intelligent design to me. You’ll never convince me this kind of order and detail is the result of millions of years of happenstance. This stunning example of intelligent design was found at The Butterfly Palace and Rainforest Adventure in Branson, MO. They cultivate a variety of butterfly species there.
This particular butterfly is a Leopard Lacewing (cethosia cyane); a species of heliconiine butterfly found from India to southern China, and Indochina.
You can get a better look by viewing the larger version. Just click on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me for digital purchase and licensing options.