What a perfect match when a Gulf Fritillary butterfly touches down on a blanket flower.

They're both reddish-orange and showy.

Last weekend we spotted a Gulf Fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae) land momentarily on a blanket flower (Gaillardia), in our bee garden.

The butterfly warmed itself, stretched its wings, and then fluttered off.

Thankfully, the Gulf Fritillary, thought to be extinct in the Sacramento-Davis area in the 1970s, is making a gigantic comeback, according to butterfly expert Art Shapiro, UC Davis distinguished professor of evolution and ecology. If you want it in your yard, plant passion flower (Passiflora), its host plant.

Then blanket a corner of your bee garden with the blanket flower (sunflower family, Asteraceae). The flower was probably named for the colorful patterned blankets made by native Americans.

Then the next time you see a Gulf Frit cuddle up with a blanket flower, grab your camera.